'She deserves it more than any kid we’ve had': Foster sophomore Canales wins state wrestling championship

Registering a third-place finish at state last year as a freshman, Foster High School’s Madison Canales promised herself that she’ll have a gold medal draped around her neck. 

The mat became her home away from home as she put in countless hours of practice, so much so that wrestling coach Scott Kimball jokingly planned to take her shoes away. 

Then came the evening of Feb. 19 when she fulfilled her goal: First-place in Class 5A 128-pound.

The Foster sophomore, who donned Arizona State socks during the match at Katy's Berry Center, defeated Frisco's Belen Rios to capture the state crown, VYPE Houston reported. 

Canales escaped being trapped under Rios to pin the latter on the mat.

“I’ve been envisioning this moment for so long,” she said, according to the website. “I’ve worked so hard for it. It was so cool to live out my dream.”

After hearing the smack of the referee's right hand on the mat, VYPE Houston reported, Canales triumphantly rose and celebrated with Kimball and her mother. 

And just like that, the gold medal that eluded Canales an academic year ago was hers at last. 

The victory capped a perfect season for Canales, who compiled a 41-0 record as a sophomore.

“Great kid. Phenomenal work ethic,” Kimball told VYPE Houston. “She deserves it more than any kid we’ve had.”

Canales told the Fort Bend Herald that she plans to give her first gold more company during her remaining years at Foster, which boasts a successful wrestling program. 

According to the publication, she has her sights set on a three-peat, as well as another national title and a spot on the world team.