by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Madison Burns is an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a descendant of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. She will be in the 11th grade this school year at Ashland High School in Ashland, WI.
“I am a wrestler and I compete for the Ashland High Wrestling Club,” said Madison Burns. “I have also wrestled on three national wrestling teams, POWA, Midwest Assassins, and Team Wisconsin.”
This past year Burns became the Women’s State Champion for her weight class and also competed in three national tournaments. She was ranked number 1 in the state of Wisconsin and ranked number 23 nationally.
Burns made history in the inaugural Wisconsin High School girls wrestling state championship when she placed fifth with her only loss to the eventual state champion who was also ranked 10th nationally.
Burns is now a wrestling gold medalist from the recent 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifax, Nova Scotia representing Team Wisconsin.
“My mom always talks about how humble and brave I am,” said Burns. “I’m not very good at interviews because I don’t like talking about myself. She also tells me that I make my clan proud and that I was born to be a protector.”
“I have been training with my little sister for the North American Indigenous Games in Nova Scotia,” said Burns. “We are wrestling for Team Wisconsin. We also have another national tournament coming up in October. “
“My dad has been my greatest mentor, ever since we decided to try out for wrestling he has been our biggest supporter,” said Burns. “He taught himself all the moves, became a coach, and has always been in our corner no matter what.”
“Madison has good leadership,” said William (Chilly) Burns. “She likes to take the younger kids under her wings after a tough loss and tell them how proud she is of them. The young girl wrestlers look up to her for being a positive role model.”
Joe Hasskamp is Madison’s high school wrestling coach. He talked about his elite athlete. He said, “She is a fantastic teammate! Always cheering on her fellow teammates even when she’s not competing. This was visible this season at our regional tournament. Madison was mat side for every match. She was not going to be denied supporting her team even though she was not wrestling that day. She is also kind hearted. Madison was also voted MVP by her teammates this season. She works hard and the team sees this and awarded her with that distinction.”
“Madison is such a hard worker and a go getter in practice and off of the mat,” said Justin Weiss, practice partner and coach. “She’s in multiple extracurricular activities and likes to achieve in them also. Even times when she isn’t in the mood for jokes and games she still comes into practice with a good attitude and gives it her all. People and fans who watch Maddy wrestle will witness Ashland Oredockers first ever multiple time state champion!”
Nicholas Metoxen was Madison’s wrestling coach for Team Wisconsin at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games in Halifaz, Nova Scotia. He is also the head coach of the Oneida Nation High School and middle school wrestling team.
“Our team had so many athletes from nations around the state who traveled hours multiple times a week for months in preparation for the games,” said Nicholas Metoxen. “Athletes attended practices at various different places, from the Forest County Potatwatomi Community Center, Menominee High School and Southern Door High School.”
“Madison truly delivered a dominant performance, bringing home one of four gold medals for the team,” said Metoxen.
Team Wisconsin in total brought 18 wrestlers from across the state, ultimately resulting in a total of 15 medals. 4 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze out of the 12 weight classes in the boys and girls division.
“My assistant coach Shawn Bell from the Menominee Nation and I were teammates in the 2014 NAIG Games in Regina, Saskatchewan, so we understood the impact that this experience could have on native youth,” said Metoxen. “Most of these kids never get to experience freestyle wrestling since we’re one of only a couple countries in the world who does folk style, so making sure they were prepared for international style of competition was our priority.”
“It brought tears to our eyes to see all the hard work we’ve witnessed these wrestlers put in this past year pay off when they got their hands raised. I know they made memories and friends from across Turtle Island that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives,” added Metoxen.
