Madeline Schultz never got the chance to reach her full potential during her time wrestling at Ceres High School because of injuries.
She still managed to accomplish a lot on the mat.
“She’s been a huge part of our team,” said Curtis Hulstine, Schultz’s head coach and stepfather.
Determined to bounce back after having her junior season cut short by a right leg injury, Schultz suffered a career-ending left leg injury during the Bulldogs’ Western Athletic Conference crosstown dual against the Hawks on Jan. 29 at Central Valley.
Schultz, who ranked fourth at 190 pounds in the Sac-Joaquin Section, was on track to qualify for the CIF State Meet for the first time.
“It’s difficult knowing it was my last year,” said Schultz, who had surgery last month at Doctor’s Medical Center to repair her fractured fibula. “I’m definitely still upset about it. But I’m trying to stay positive. Relying on my faith is what helped me get through it.”
“She worked hard to be where she is,” Hulstine added. “She deserved to take that trip down to Bakersfield.”
Schultz compiled a career-best 22-5 overall record during her final season with the Bulldogs.
She made history by becoming one of the first female grapplers from Ceres High to bring home a medal from the Sierra Nevada Classic.
She placed fifth with a 4-2 record.
Schultz collected nine wins and no losses while claiming titles at the Super Girl Showdown (Ceres High), Women’s Havoc in the Hawksnest (Central Valley), Doug Severe Classic (Beyer) and Pitman Rumble Tournament.
She also finished third at the Bristow Brawl (Atwater) and fifth at the Lady Apache Invitational (Sanger).
“Maddie placed at every tournament she went to,” Hulstine said. “She was dominant.”
“I had a great season,” Schultz added
Schultz joined Ceres High’s girls wrestling program in the ninth grade.
She was voted team captain all four years.
“The best part of it (wrestling) was being there for the younger girls on the team and giving them advice,” Schultz said.
Injuries prevented Schultz from reaching her ultimate goal, which was to qualify for the state tournament.
“That kid’s the definition of resilience,” Hulstine said. “She’s had injuries every year and come back.”
Schultz’s junior season was cut short after fracturing her right fibula at practice.
Prior to suffering the injury, Schultz had a 10-2 overall record while competing in the 190-pound weight class.
She took first at both the Beyer Invitational and Bristow Brawl, and second at the Havoc in the Hawksnest.
Schultz managed to qualify for Masters for the second year in a row despite missing a portion of her sophomore season with multiple injuries.
She won one of three matches at 172 pounds.
Schultz took sixth at the South Regional Tournament for the second straight season and finished third at the WAC Championships.
Schultz advanced to Masters as a freshman despite being sidelined for a month and a half of the season with a right ankle injury.
She posted a 2-3 record at the tournament.
“I’ve accomplished and grown a lot,” Schultz said.
Schultz plans to attend Modesto Junior College.
She’ll focus on academics.
Schultz hasn’t rule out competing for the Pirates.
“MJC might get a wrestling program,” she said. “We’ll see what happens with that.”
