It wasn’t the most dominant districts performance, as Scott finished the tournament 2-2 and scraped into regionals with a fifth place showing. But considering her youth and early-season ups and downs, it was worth getting excited about, and she’d be joined by fellow freshman teammate Ella Johnsonbaugh on top of the accolade.

However, days before she was set to compete at the Central Regional, issues behind the scenes would grind her season to a halt. A concussion she had suffered earlier in the school year had an impact on her schoolwork. And due to low grades, Scott was declared academically ineligible.

Just like that, the season was over, and all Scott could do was work for what came ahead. Though her prior concussion was a factor in her grades taking a hit, she didn’t use it as an excuse, instead using the disheartening situation as a wake-up call and motivation to improve as both a student and an athlete.

The result has been a surge forward through her sophomore year in both categories. On top of much-improved grades, Scott has seen an uptick in her success as a wrestler, building on her freshman stint every step of the way. That included districts this past Saturday, where she claimed bronze at 155.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte’s Bailee Scott wrestles in the 155-pound third-place bout at the District 5/6/9 girls wrestling championships at Altoona on Saturday. Scott won the match to claim district bronze as a sophomore.

“This year, I’ve made sure that my grades are 90 and above, finished all my assignments and gotten ahead (on schoolwork),” said Scott.

“I’ve gotten a lot better this season because I’m not practicing with junior high anymore. I actually practice with varsity, and our coach is amazing. He’s made me so much better than I realized I could be.”

At the District 5/6/9 girls wrestling tournament over the weekend, there were still ups and downs. After reaching the championship semifinals at 155, Scott saw a 7-0 lead against Clearfield’s Makayla Taylor – ranked No. 6 in the state – evaporate as Taylor evened the score before working a second-period fall.

However, the Bellefonte sophomore bounced back in a big way, not losing another match on her way to bronze. In fact, both her remaining wins were by way of pin, as she finished the tournament 3-1.

Her consolation semifinal win over Curwensville’s Allison Neeper featured a seven-point move and six-point move out of bottom. And against Southern Huntingdon’s Chloe Holloway in the bronze-medal bout – their fourth matchup of the season, Scott racked up two takedowns.

TIM WEIGHT/For the Express Bellefonte’s Bailee Scott poses with her District 6 bronze medal.

While Scott felt she could’ve done better on Saturday, she takes pride in how much she’s improved from one season to the next. As it stands, the sophomore is 18-11 on the season, has taken home medals at four separate tournaments – including districts – and has done enough to climb up to a state ranking of No. 16 at 155.

“I think at this point I’m just proud of myself from what I came from last year. Last year, I barely got fifth and this year, I’ve gotten third,” said Scott. “I still have two more years, and I’m going to keep getting better and better.”

“I’m also just really grateful for what the work my coaches have put in and for the girls club being a thing. It was never a thing previously, and for them to be able to do that, we’re all very thankful for that,” she added.

After all she’s overcome to get to this point and the growth she’s inhibited throughout her sophomore year, Scott is simply excited to be competing heading into the next tournament and looks forward to her debut stint at the Central Regional.

“My main goal is just to do the best I can and be proud of myself,” said Scott. “As long as I think I did well and my parents think I did well, I don’t care if I place or not or move on.”

The tournament begins at 9 a.m. at Milton High School.