Gray Gets the Gold

GrayGoldgets the

During her high school career, junior Mady unofficial state championship in the 130-pound weight Gray has never lost a match in girls wres- class through an organization outside of KSHSAA. tling. In fact, Gray has never lost a state However, 2019 marked the first year girls wrestling championship she has qualified for. was sanctioned by KSHSAA. This didn’t bar female

Gray first went out for the middle wrestlers from competing against boys, Gray primarily school wrestling team in seventh grade as a way to wrestled girls in the 2019-2020 season but faced off find her interests and meet new against boys on occasion. people. She had no idea what laid ahead of her. “It was very exciting to Gray celebrated the inaugural state tournament

As a freshman in 2018, Gray become an official state with a victory in the competed for the boys team. At the time, wrestling was only champion for the second 130-pound weight class, a proper finish to her sanctioned as a boys’ sport time, it means I’m one step undefeated 34-0 season. by the Kansas High School Entering her junior year Activities Association. This closer to being a 4-timer” her goal was clear, her eyes meant she competed against were set on a third state title. boys at meets and in practice unless there was another Randy Streeter, first-year head coach, shared her girl competing in her weight class. expectations for the season.

She was unable to compete in an official state “It was clear that Mady had her goal of another championship that season since KSHSAA did not state title locked in,” Streeter said. “There was no host a distinctive championship for girls. Gray won an negotiating that. We just did whatever we could for her

Junior Mady Gray is focused while she scrimmages with teammate senior Clare Benton. According to Gray, Wrestling demands mental and physical persistence. “One of the most amazing feelings in wrestling is all that hard work paying off and all the adrenaline and relief from winning that match,” Gray said. It’s a mind blowing feeling.”

SPORTS

pages by Ella Marshall story by Ben Shyrock photos by Baya Burgress

Wrestler goes undefeated

Junior Mady Gray hugs assistant coach Brent Hoffman after a scrimmage match. For Gray, the wrestling team is one she can rely on. “I know I can trust both my high school team and my club team if I need them and vice versa,”Gray said.

Pinned down, senior Clare Benton wrestles junior Mady Gray. Benton has been wrestling for five years and has found her closest friends through the sport. “Without wrestling, I wouldn’t have been as motivated to work hard in school,” Benton said.

to reach that goal.”

The changes within the team both encouraged and motivated teammates to support each other, elevating qualities that already made Gray a prolific competitor on the mat.

“She makes everyone around her better by being the hardest worker in the room,” senior Clare Benton said. “She not only pushes herself to do better, but she pushes the whole team to work harder. I was Mady’s practice partner most days this season and I can honestly say she made me better.”

Gray finished the season undefeated, going 17-0 against female wrestlers. She won every match by pin (holding an opponent’s shoulder to the mat for a given period of time resulting in automatic victory), an unheard of statistic in wrestling. Gray also went 8-4 against boys this season.

She capped off her perfect year by sweeping the bracket and claiming the state title in the 130-pound weight class.

In doing so, Gray became the first ever wrestler in school history to win consecutive state championships, and although she has already boasts a historic career, Gray hopes to improve in her senior year.

“Even though my freshman year state title wasn’t official, I still count it,” Gray said. “It was very exciting to become an official state champion for the second time, it means I’m one step closer to being a four-timer.”