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Hi, my name is Madison Worden, and I’m currently a 17-year-old senior at Centennial High School. I’m in my ninth year of wrestling, and with the start of high school, I knew it was only going to get harder. I was grateful to have Don McGregor as my head coach and Kevin Robles as my assistant coach that year. I was also excited to have Coach Jose in my corner, as he was one of my first coaches when I started. As a freshman, I wrestled older girls but didn’t let it stop me. My first season tournament was the 49th Annual Jerry Benson, which I won by pinning my opponent. Later, I also won the 50th Annual Doc Wright Wrestling Invitational, one of my toughest tournaments. I consistently defeated top seeds, placing in the top three at most events. |
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I knew I needed a top four finish at regionals to qualify for state. After a close semifinal, I reached the finals but took second. At state, I lost in the semis, but wrestled back for third, finishing my freshman season with a 34-8 record. After the season, I trained for several tournaments, especially the 16u and Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. I hadn’t competed in over two months, so I was excited and nervous for my first match. It was one of the nation’s biggest tournaments, and I finished 2-2. I’m grateful my club coaches Sorgani, Chase, and Tehani supported me through every match. |
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| At the start of my sophomore year, I knew it wasn’t going to be easy again. With my new head coach, Kevin Caruso, and assistant coaches Stanley, Eve, and Jose, they helped push me past my limits in the practice room every day. I adjusted quickly to how my head coach ran practices and also trusted him throughout the season. During winter break, we traveled to California for the Queen of the Hill tournament. With it being the toughest West Coast girls’ tournament, I found myself making the finals. |
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| I shocked myself by not even making the second day of the previous season, and ended up taking home 2nd place. A couple of weeks later, we traveled to California again for the Ayala Invitational girls’ tournament. After losing in the quarters, I came back and took sixth place, and we ended up also bringing home third place as a team. Before I knew it, regionals and the state tournament were coming up. I ended up taking third place at regionals and making it to state for the second year in a row. I ended my sophomore season taking fourth place at the state tournament. My Centennial Girls team was also the regionals and state runner-ups. With learning lessons throughout the season, I ended my sophomore year with a 44-8 record. |
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| Starting my junior year, I was one of the older ones in the wrestling room. Sandilyn and Mya were the best partners in the room. They pushed me every day in practice. To start the season, we traveled to the 51st Annual Jerry Benson tournament. I took home 1st place, and as a team we took third. I attended Queen of the Hill for the third year in a row and wanted to win it. I came close the previous season and fell short again by losing in the semis. My coaches told me to aim for the next best place. They told me not to let my loss affect me. I did just that and took third place in my bracket. We traveled again to the Ayala Invitational girls’ tournament, and I also wanted to win that one. I pinned my way to the semis and got a tech in my semi-final match. I took second place and finished higher than the previous year. |
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| Two weeks later, I entered regionals confident in myself and my coaches. I pinned my way to the finals but lost a close match in overtime. My Centennial girls team became regional champions after losing by one point the previous year. I focused over the next two weeks and tightened up small things in my wrestling. The state tournament arrived before I knew it. I was confident in myself and my coaches in every match. I made it to the finals and won my first state title! I majored my opponent, who had beaten me in overtime at regionals. Alongside my state title win, my team took home Centennial’s first team title. I ended my junior year with the Outstanding Wrestler award and a 33-4 record. |
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| With each high school season ending, I train and travel with my club team, Gold Rush Wrestling Academy. I train year-round under my head coach, Chase Pami, and assistant coaches Sorgani, Taylor, AJ, and Madi. Training at Gold Rush for the past four years, they helped coach me through each match, whether I won or lost. They helped me improve my wrestling and taught me core values. These include communication, long game, leadership, and maximum effort. Going into my senior year, I have many goals for myself this upcoming season. Falling short of my goals last season, I’m excited to see what this season has in store for me. Coming off a state championship last season, I know I have targets on my back. With a record so far of 111-21, I’m hoping to accomplish my goals and to end my senior year with 150 wins. |
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| Here are some words from my coaches |
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| “Maddie Worden has been a pleasure to coach over the past two years. During that time, Maddie has stood out for her hard work, mental toughness, and her constant drive to improve. When things get tough, Maddie seems to thrive. Her drive to improve and the way she approaches her training sets a standard for the rest of the wrestlers in our room. In addition to taking great pride in her own training, she has also become very vocal as a leader for the new and young wrestlers in the room. She leads by example and also makes sure to act as a mentor when needed. I look forward to seeing her continued progress as both an athlete and as a leader through her senior year.” – Coach Kevin Caruso |
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| • “Madison Worden has always been an exceptional athlete, and one who is always battle-ready. Her consistency in her craft with training and being a student of the game has made her one of the easiest athletes to train. She does what you tell her to do and comes through when needed the most. She is always open to criticism and feedback to make her better and does not take things personally. She makes the tweaks and tunes, and she is ready to get back at it.” – Coach Josa Sosa |
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| “Anytime there is a practice, you can bet that Madison will be there. She loves to be on the mat, and her consistent growth each year has shown that. She capped off her junior season with a state title. That was a reflection of her love and passion for the sport.” – Coach Chase Pami |
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| I would like to say thank you to all my coaches from the start, to my Mom and Dad and siblings for everything they have given me, especially the constant support throughout all the years. |
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Here is the link to Madison’s First Athlete of the Month for NVSportsLocal
Madison Worden Bio Part 1 |
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