Benton’s Madilyn Colburn uses wrestling skills to serve country

VAN HORNE — Benton Community’s Madilyn Colburn is spending the final months of her high school career on the wrestling mat.

The senior is graduating in March and will join the National Guard. Choosing to join the National Guard was an easy decision for Colburn, since serving the country is a family affair.

“My grandma was in the guard for 20 years, and my uncle is currently serving,” Colburn said. “I wanted to go out of state for college, and it’s expensive. I thought this was a great way to help pay for college, while also carrying on my family’s legacy and continuing to serve.”

The Bobcats’ head coach, Josh Hoeck, is optimistic about Colburn’s future in the National Guard. Most of that optimism is a result of her leadership and character — much of what he’s seen during her wrestling career.

“I wasn’t surprised that’s what she was going to do,” Hoeck said. “The leadership she’s shown in the room is phenomenal. Whatever unit she gets in, they’re getting a great one.”

Wrestling has provided Colburn with a unique mindset of how to approach life.

It’s about getting up and working hard.

“The mental aspect of wrestling is going to be helpful in the National Guard,” Colburn said. “Some days, you get beat down and have to come back the next day being stronger.”

That mindset is the perfect culmination of Colburn’s wrestling career — one that’s been filled with adversity and injuries.

Last season, Colburn injured her shoulder and was out for most of the season. Now, with one season left wearing a Bobcat singlet, she’s looking to continue motivating her teammates and setting a good example for younger Benton wrestlers.

“My senior year is my last chance to stay healthy,” Colburn said. “We have a lot of new girls, and they kind of look up to me. It’s been fun helping the new girls learn and grow the future of Benton wrestling.”

Despite an injury-plagued season her junior year, Colburn found a way to be involved with the Benton girls’ program.

Instead of taking shots on the wrestling mat, she was taking shots with a camera as the team’s photographer.

“She was finding ways to be around and that shows great leadership, poise, and maturity,” Hoeck said. “It shows she’s a fighter.”

With Tuesday night’s triangular against Independence and Clear Creek Amana marking senior night for Colburn, she was reflective of her three-year career as a Bobcat wrestler.

The memory that sticks out most isn’t tied to a match or tournament placing but instead is about the impact she’s had on her teammates and youth wrestlers.

“I’m most proud of the girls I’ve helped coach, since I do a lot of youth stuff and seeing them develop over the years,” Colburn said. “With some of my teammates, I brought them into the room for the first time and am now seeing some of them start varsity and understand the sport. That’s probably my favorite thing I’ve done.”