Maddie Wells’ state tournament run included two matches against highly ranked senior opponents. After an opening-round loss, Wells battled Morton’s Karen Canchola in the wrestleback.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden’s Maddie Wells wrestles Morton’s Karen Canchola during their 140-pound first-round wrestleback match at the 2025 IHSA Girls Individual Wrestling State Finals on Feb. 28. Wells, a junior who entered the two-day tournament with an 18-8 record, faced a challenging path in her weight class.
In her opening match, Wells drew Mother McAuley senior Maggie Zuber (33-6), who went on to finish second. After being pinned at the six-minute mark, Wells moved into the wrestleback round to face Canchola, another senior. Canchola (36-4) was relentless, pinning Wells at 4:17 on her way to a third-place finish.
Wells, the first wrestler to represent St. Joseph-Ogden at the girls wrestling state finals, looks to return to Bloomington at the end of February for another shot at a state title.
