“When I was growing up, they used to say that wrestling isn’t for girls,” Enid Middle School Wrestling Coach Steve Bartley said, “but girls like Madison Owens prove that’s not true. She has talent, ability and strength, and she proves that girls can be just as good as the guys on the mat.”
And Madison Owens showed the State of Oklahoma how true that was, capping off a 24-0 undefeated season by winning the All-State Junior High Wrestling Championship last month in the 96 pound girls division. Madison stormed through the season, pinning every opponent she faced, until the finals of the Championship, where she faced the toughest competition of her young career. While she came out on top, the score was 10-8, and much closer than she would have liked. “I was pretty nervous, being as it was the STATE CHAMPIONSHIP match,” Madison said, “but I just went out there and wrestled my match, and came out on top.”
Madison started her wrestling career in 2020 at a new program in Hennessey, and still wrestles for their club team on occasion. Her dad Jon was a wrestler in High School, but her older brother really got her excited about trying it since he wrestled for a year or two. “I went out there and fell in love,” she said, “I think I won more than I lost that first year, and that made it fun, and I wanted to do even better.”
According to Coach Bartley, “Madison loves to wrestle. She’s aggressive, and since it is her third year, she has really made great strides in the room. We actually had to pair her up with some of the high school girls, and boys her size, since she was so much better than some of the other beginners in the room. She has fire and determination, and anything is possible, including 5 more state championships if she keeps working hard and doesn’t get injured.”
When asked what she’s really good at, Coach Bartley didn’t hesitate – her headlock, he said, and Madison agrees. “I really love the headlock.” Madison said, “it’s an easy way to get a takedown, if you know what you are doing, and you go from feet to back and get them in the right position for a pin.” As far as her dad, he couldn’t be more happy. “I am so proud of her.” He said, “She was so determined this year. She set a goal, focused and made it. It was really cool to watch.”
As for the future, Madison has some big dreams. “Maybe I can make the Olympics,” she said, “and I’d like to wrestle in college for sure. Maybe Iowa, or OSU or OU if they get a team.” If she keeps up her pinning ways, she may be able to make those dreams come true.
ENID PLAINSMEN/PACER PRIDE OF THE PLAINS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY SLATER MECHANICAL!
