In 1991, the No. 1 song in America was “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” by Bryan Adams. Since then, music has changed a lot. But, sadly, much of the wrestling mats and other equipment at Madison hasn’t. The team is now working hard to change that through a major fundraising effort.

“The mats are probably 35, 40 years old,” Shawn Hutchinson, the team’s head coach, said. “It needs to be updated.”  

Hutchinson, who wrestled on some of the mats while a student at Madison, noted the team is also short of mats, meaning they cannot use the entire practice facility. 

“So, just making it a better practice facility, more efficient. [When] you have wall-to-wall mats, you have more room for wrestlers,” Hutchinson said. “And then, obviously, [there is] the safety aspect…you need new mats because old mats compress and so they get unsafe to land on.”

The team is putting forward the same effort into the fundraiser as they do to become better, stronger and faster, with major support from the Madison athletic boosters and school Activities Office.

People might not realize how expensive equipment can be, especially full-on mat replacement–which also means ensuring there is correct subflooring.

The total cost of the renovation is estimated to be over $50,000, so renovations will be done in phases, with the first beginning over spring break. Completion is targeted for the start of the next school year or, at the very latest, the start of the wrestling season in November. Upgrades will include wall-to-wall new mats, new storage inside the room for wrestler use and possibly even an audio system for music during practices.

“Wrestlers are resilient and goal oriented. This means we work hard in and outside of practice. For the last fundraiser I went all around my neighborhood asking people for the fundraiser,” Will Cretal (’26), a team captain, said. He added, “it’s important to leave the program better than I found it because this team and this sport has done so much for my life. I’ve grown as a person because of this program and I want that same growth to spread to future generations.”

Freshman wrestlers interviewed expressed similar thoughts.

“As a freshman, I felt it was inevitable for a renovation to happen, though I did not expect it to come this soon,” Alec Welling (’29) said. “These renovations will improve intensity, motivation and how much I can grow as a wrestler.” 

Another freshman wrestler continued this sentiment.

“To me, this renovation is an opportunity to enhance and improve the team’s ability to perform well,” Jackson Coleman (’29) said. “With the new renovations, our team has the newfound possibility to apply the discipline and mental toughness that they learn from wrestling into their lives in and out of school. Additionally, this renovation to the wrestling room could possibly entice future wrestlers into joining the program, [further] growing the team in size/support.” 

Beyond the mat itself, these upgrades carry a larger message about commitment, one that resonates across both the school and community.

“The message it’s going to send is Madison High School, the Madison community, the Vienna community, makes investments into its student athletes and its coaches,” Andrew Baird, the Director of Student Activities said. “It’s going to show our coaches…show our community that supports this building, that we take the steps, that we know what we need to do to support those programs.”

Hutchison hopes that this renovation will mean safer, more efficient practices with fewer injuries and more space for wrestlers to practice. He foresees a motivating space that builds pride, excites future wrestlers and ensures the next generation can develop the same toughness and work ethic the program already fosters.

“In my opinion, wrestling is the best sport of all,” Hutchison said. “It gives you so much, it tests you in so many different ways [and] makes you better in so many different ways. Not just athletically or physically, [but even] mentally, even [things] like time management.”

With the support of the wrestlers, boosters and Vienna community, this renovation can happen. Those interested can donate via this link to help modernize Madison’s wrestling future.