By Mitch Bach

heading overseas

VIDEO: Mohawks wrestler McNaughton thrilled ahead of upcoming exchange trip

Feb 13, 2020 | 4:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Bailee McNaughton has had February 28th circled for a long time.

She recites the countdown daily, with each passing day inching closer to what she considers a life-changing opportunity.

Come the final Friday of the month, the 16-year-old Medicine Hat High School student-athlete is joining three fellow classmates on a unique exchange trip to Spain. She’ll immerse herself in the Spanish culture for nearly two months, experiencing and learning from a completely different perspective, and in a different language.

However, it comes with a small price, which is far more costly than convincing her parents to allow her to go.

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McNaughton is one of the best wrestlers in Alberta, receiving provincial and national recognition for her quick-striking athleticism. Her trip to Spain is forcing her to press pause on her high school wrestling career, and bid her fellow Mohawks farewell until next season.

Mitch Bach of CHAT Sports caught up with McNaughton to hear what it means to fly out to Spain, how well she can speak Spanish, the cost of missing two major wrestling events by taking this opportunity, and where she finds the courage to travel to a different continent at such a young age.