For Ellsworth senior Anthony Madsen, the 182-pound championship match at the 2022 Northern Badger Wrestling Classic will be something he never forgets.

Whether it was his improbable run through the bracket as the No. 5 seed in the pre-tournament rankings, the late takedown in the third period that ultimately earned him the title, or relying on his faith to give him confidence in his game, his championship match at the Northern Badger Wrestling Classic was exactly that – an instant classic.

Late in the evening on Friday, Dec. 30, Madsen found himself walking to the middle of the wrestling mat under a single light in front of a packed gym as he prepared to face off with Northwestern senior Tanner Kaufman, who entered as the No. 2 seed with a 17-1 record.

After a hard-fought two periods, Madsen took a 2-1 lead into the third and final period of the 182-pound championship match. Less than 15 seconds into the period, Kaufman scored on an escape to make it a 2-2 contest.

Then with one minute left in the period, Madsen scored a takedown to grab a 4-2 lead. Kaufman again scored on an escape to make it 4-3 and then less than 30 seconds later, pulled off a reversal to take a 5-4 lead over Ellsworth’s Madsen late in the third period.

As the clock ticked down in the final 15 seconds of the third period, Madsen was running out of time and needed points fast. That’s when he gained position, pulled off a last-second reversal to score two points, and took a 6-5 lead with just moments remaining. A few seconds later, the buzzer sounded and Madsen’s dream had been realized – he was the 182-pound Northern Badger champion.

“There has been a lot of hard work throughout the years that I’ve put in through all my sports with injuries and facing adversity,” Madsen said after the match. “Being able to get through that stuff and get that last takedown, that was super awesome.”

After knocking off Kaufman, Madsen had done the improbable. He had worked his way through the entire 182-pound bracket, which was filled with some of the best wrestlers in the state. Madsen spoke about how winning the Northern Badger title completely changes his outlook for his 2022-23 senior season.

“I’ve always had a self-esteem issue where sometimes I get in my head a little too much, but I think this really helps boost my confidence,” Madsen said. “I think this will help me wrestle how I should, and not be so timid.”

While defeating No. 2-ranked Kaufman in the championship match certainly wasn’t an easy task, neither was Madsen’s semifinal against No. 1-ranked Dawson Webster of Cadott. Webster and Madsen met previously this year in the 182-pound championship match of the 58th Annual Ellsworth Invitational, where Webster defeated Madsen in a 7-2 decision.

Madsen got his revenge in the 182-pound semifinal match of the Northern Badger Wrestling Classic when he defeated top-seeded Webster in a 9-4 decision to secure his place in the title match later that evening. Ellsworth head coach Mark Matzek spoke about Madsen’s performance and his response to adversity.

“Anthony (Madsen) got banged up before

See MADSEN Page B-2 Christmas and he came back with a totally different mentality and he’s moving well and wrestling with confidence,” Matzek said. “When he beat the Cadott kid who he lost to at the Ellsworth Invitational, that improved his confidence even more. In that championship match (against Kaufman) he was ready to go from the first whistle.”

According to Matzek, Madsen responded well to the adversity not only throughout the season but especially in that championship match against Kaufman. When Kaufman shut down Madsen’s shot, he adjusted quickly and got to his single.

For a student-athlete who self-admittedly struggles with confidence, Madsen certainly found inner peace on a stage in front of nearly 2,000 people with everything on the line. Matzek spoke about how Madsen found peace while surrounded by chaos.

“He’s a pretty spiritual kid,” Matzek said. “He’s always giving glory to God. That was the first thing he said to me when he came off the mat. For him to have that confidence to rely on his faith like that, it’s grounded him and will help propel him the rest of his senior season.”

After Madsen stood on the podium with his championship bracket and medal, he took some time to reflect on the overall experience and how his faith guided him the entire way.

“I said tons and tons and tons of prayers this week throughout this whole tournament,” Madsen said. “I really want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to succeed.”

Ellsworth senior Anthony Madsen squares off with No. 1-ranked Dawson Webster of Cadott in the 182-pound semifinal match at the Northern Badger Wrestling Classic. Photo by Reagan Hoverman