Madeline Schultz has been named Ceres High School’s Western Athletic Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

“I’m glad to be recognized in that way,” she stated. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to represent my school. I know I worked hard for it.”

Schultz had cumulative grade-point average of 3.9.

She took a total of five Advanced Placement classes, including calculus, government, literature and composition, biology and precalculus.

She earned 12 college units.

“It was challenging,” Schultz said. “There’s been times I’ve had to miss important events. Sometimes, there was late nights. I got through it.” 

“It’s been a goal to get good grades,” she added. “When I was younger, I’d be upset if I got anything lower than a B.”

Schultz earned 12 varsity letters during her prep athletic career, including four in both wrestling and softball, and two in flag football and track and field.

“I loved trying new things and learning,” she said. “I had a lot of fun.”

Schultz never got the chance to reach her full potential as a Bulldog grappler because of ankle, back and shoulder injuries.

She still managed to accomplish a lot on the mat.

“It’s definitely been hard to come back every year,” Schultz said while talking about the mental and physical challenges of having to bounce back from multiple injuries. “It’s been scary. My parents have been my biggest support system. Knowing people cared about me really helped me not feel alone. That’s what kept me going. My faith also played a big role. I wanted to accomplish my goals.”

“She worked hard to be where she is,” said Curtis Hulstine, Ceres High’s head coach and Schultz’s stepfather. “She deserved to take that trip down to Bakersfield.” 

Schultz was on track to qualify for the CIF State Wrestling Meet for the first time during her final season at Ceres High.

Determined to bounce back after having her junior season cut short by a right leg injury, Schultz suffered a career-ending left leg injury during the Bulldogs’ Western Athletic Conference crosstown dual against the Central Valley Hawks.

She was ranked fourth at 190 pounds in the Sac-Joaquin Section.

“Maddie placed at every tournament she went to,” Hulstine said. “She was dominant.”

Schultz compiled a career-best 22-5 overall record senior year.

She made history by becoming one of the first female grapplers from Ceres High to bring home a medal from the Sierra Nevada Classic.

She placed fifth with a 4-2 record.

Schultz collected nine wins and no losses while claiming titles at the Super Girl Showdown (Ceres High), Women’s Havoc in the Hawksnest (Central Valley), Doug Severe Classic (Beyer) and Pitman Rumble Tournament.

She also finished third at the Bristow Brawl (Atwater) and fifth at the Lady Apache Invitational (Sanger).

“I had a great season,” Schultz added.

Schultz was voted team captain all four years.

“The best part of it (wrestling) was being there for the younger girls on the team and giving them advice,” she said.

Injuries prevented Schultz from reaching her ultimate goal, which was to qualify for the state tournament.

“That kid’s the definition of resilience,” Hulstine said. “She’s had injuries every year and come back.”

“Wrestling taught me a lot,” Schultz added. “It’s an individual sport. The accountability is on you. It would get so hard at practice. Sometimes, I wanted to breakdown and cry.”

Schultz starred on Ceres High’s girls flag football team during its first two years of existence.

“Wrestling was my thing,” she said. “But I really loved flag football. I’ve always enjoyed throwing around a football.”

Schultz earned first-team all-Western Athletic Conference as a senior and junior.

She totaled 3,028 yards and 45 touchdowns at quarterback during the 2024-25 regular season.

“Playing quarterback is a very tough position,” Hulstine said. “She stepped up. She read the field well. She was competitive. She had a lot of support from her teammates to make her feel comfortable on the field.”

Schultz’s flag football teams had a combined record of 31-12 (17-4 in league), claimed one WAC championship and advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs twice.

“The success shocked everyone,” Schultz said. “The other girls made it fun. The chemistry on the team, that’s what took us far.”

Schultz batted .311 from the plate with two home runs, one triple, four doubles, 17 RBIs, 11 runs and three stolen bases while being limited to just 36 career games as a utility player in softball due to injuries.

Schultz enjoyed her best season to date in track and field senior year.

She set personal records in both the discus (76 feet) and shot put (24-3).

“I can usually pick up things easily,” Schultz said. “This was the first time I was challenged. That’s why I liked it. It was fun to learn the mechanics of the sport. I did surprise myself.”

Schultz will attend Modesto Junior College this fall.

She will major in kinesiology.

“I want to become an athletic trainer in the future,” she said.

Schultz hasn’t rule out competing for the Pirates.

MJC will field its first-ever women’s wrestling team in 2025-26.

Flag football could be added to the sports lineup in the future.

She also talked about the possibility of joining Modesto JC’s track and field team.

“I still love sports,” Schultz stated. “I hope I get to keep playing in some way. I might join an adult league.”