CALEDONIA, Mich. (WOOD) — Maddie Hayden was introduced to wrestling at 8 years old. Now 17, she’s competing at the world level as a student at Caledonia High School.

Hayden wrestled for Team USA in the U17 division for beach worlds and took silver in the 75 kg, helping her team to a third place finish overall. It was the largest event ever for the Beach World Championship event — one that the USA has medaled in the last three years (third in 2023, first in 2024).

The beach wrestling system is different from anything Hayden has competed in before, on top of the fact that she had never done beach wrestling until the event. For her first time, she said it went pretty well.

“The way the points system works is much different, where it’s just one match and you can earn up to three points,” Hayden said. “For other countries it’s like football, it’s something they care about deeply. So to be able to do as well as I did and almost win, it feels pretty good.”

Caledonia High School student Maddie Hayden, 17, competed for Team USA wrestling.

Hayden’s entry to wrestling was actually through playing football. She played tackle football from third through seventh grade, when one day her coach Dan Simmons pulled her aside and asked if she’d be interested in wrestling. Needless to say, the rest is history.

Hayden wrestled against boys through her grade school years until they got to high school when her mom, Kelly, said that it was time for a change. 

“She was big and mature for her age, so wrestling boys when she was younger was something she could hold her own at,” Kelly said. “It was something I didn’t know anything about, especially the technicalities. But as time went on and I supported her in loving what she does, it became really easy to cheer for her, especially because of her accomplishments that kept piling up.”

After that, Hayden began to travel and wrestle. She was on the 10U Michigan National Team after she won the boys and girls division at MYWAY state. She then competed with the Mayhem boys through 12U.

In seventh grade, Hayden was invited to compete with Michigan Revolution for coach Mario Flores, who Kelly says has been very involved with the growth of girls wrestling in Michigan. 

According to Kelly, Flores has been super involved with pushing the growth of girls wrestling in Michigan.

As time went on, Hayden’s passion for wrestling grew. 

“I think there are so many opportunities now for girls in the sport that I didn’t have when I was getting into it,” she said. “Which is great — and I only hope it continues to grow. But because of how I got started, wrestling against boys was normal for me and it was a change when I started going against girls. I’m proud of where it’s taken me.”

Where it has taken her is to heights that most high school athletes can’t say they’ve accomplished.

She is a three-time state champion in folkstyle. She was named a Fargo wrestling All-American in July. And now, she has competed with some of the best athletes in her age group around the world. 

“It was surreal to see her compete at this high of a level and we’re all so proud of her because it took a lot to get there,” Kelly said. “I feel fortunate to have been able to support her on her journey that’s still going, because she had to do work away from wrestling to help get her to Greece.”

Although Team USA presented Hayden with gear for the event, travel, stay and other accommodations were not covered. 

So, she went to work, collecting pop cans to help pay for her plane ticket. With the help of Kelly, she had a Facebook fundraiser that family, friends and the community of Caledonia all donated to so she could make it to Greece and compete in something she earned to be a part of. 

“We are truly lucky to have the people in our lives that we do,” Kelly said. “Everyone who donated to us and helped us get there should know they were a part of making this happen.”

Since Hayden has returned, she’s had to undergo surgery for a left labrum tear in her left shoulder. She also tore her right labrum and is scheduled to have that taken care of in a month. 

While she is happy to be recovering, Hayden said it will be tough having to miss her senior season of high school wrestling. However, this will not be the last time she wrestles. 

In fact, it is only the beginning.

“Hopefully (wrestling) can keep taking me places and I can keep competing at higher and higher levels,” she said. “Wrestling has brought so much to me already and I hope from here I can continue to make a difference with my abilities and make a push for why wrestling should be viewed here like it is in other countries.”