During her high school career, junior Madyson Gray has never lost a match in girls wrestling. In fact, Gray has never lost a state championship she has qualified for.

Gray first went out for the middle school wrestling team in seventh grade as a way to find her interests and meet new people. She had no idea what laid ahead of her.

As a freshman in 2018, Gray competed for the boys team. At the time, wrestling was only sanctioned as a boy’s sport by the Kansas High School Activities Association. This meant she competed against boys at meets and in practice unless there was another girl competing in her weight class.

She was unable to compete in an official state championship that season since KSHSAA did not host a distinctive championship for girls. Gray won an unofficial state championship in the 130-pound weight class through an organization outside of KSHSAA.

However, 2019 marked the first year girls wrestling was sanctioned by KSHSAA. This didn’t bar female wrestlers from competing against boys, Gray primarily wrestled girls in the 2019-2020 season but faced off against boys on occasion for increased level of competition.

Gray celebrated the inaugural state tournament with a victory in the 130-pound weight class, a proper finish to her undefeated 34-0 season.

Entering her junior year her goal was clear, her eyes were set on a third state title.

Randy Streeter, first-year head coach, shared her expectations for the season.

“It was clear that Mady had her goal of another state title locked in,” Streeter said. “There was no negotiating that. We just did whatever we could for her to reach that goal.”

Although in his first year at the helm, Coach Streeter is no stranger to the athletes on the team. He coached club wrestling and also has two sons on the team.

Gray attributes part of her success this season to changes implemented by Coach Streeter and staff, emphasizing the family-like culture throughout the program.

“I already knew [Streeter] because he is intertwined with the club side of things,” Gray said. “I think he brought the team spirit up a lot more, he made it seem more like a team rather than a job we had to do.”

The newfound sense of unity 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 that 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 that results 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.”

During her high school career, junior Madyson Gray has never lost a match in girls wrestling. In fact, Gray has never lost a state championship she has qualified for.

Gray first went out for the middle school wrestling team in seventh grade as a way to find her interests and meet new people. She had no idea what laid ahead of her.

As a freshman in 2018, Gray competed for the boys team. At the time, wrestling was only sanctioned as a boy’s sport by the Kansas High School Activities Association. This meant she competed against boys at meets and in practice unless there was another girl competing in her weight class.

She was unable to compete in an official state championship that season since KSHSAA did not host a distinctive championship for girls. Gray won an unofficial state championship in the 130-pound weight class through an organization outside of KSHSAA.

However, 2019 marked the first year girls wrestling was sanctioned by KSHSAA. This didn’t bar female wrestlers from competing against boys, Gray primarily wrestled girls in the 2019-2020 season but faced off against boys on occasion for increased level of competition.

Gray celebrated the inaugural state tournament with a victory in the 130-pound weight class, a proper finish to her undefeated 34-0 season.

Entering her junior year her goal was clear, her eyes were set on a third state title.

Randy Streeter, first-year head coach, shared her expectations for the season.

“It was clear that Mady had her goal of another state title locked in,” Streeter said. “There was no negotiating that. We just did whatever we could for her to reach that goal.”

Although in his first year at the helm, Coach Streeter is no stranger to the athletes on the team. He coached club wrestling and also has two sons on the team.

Gray attributes part of her success this season to changes implemented by Coach Streeter and staff, emphasizing the family-like culture throughout the program.

“I already knew [Streeter] because he is intertwined with the club side of things,” Gray said. “I think he brought the team spirit up a lot more, he made it seem more like a team rather than a job we had to do.”

The newfound sense of unity 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 that 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 that results 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.”