Tulsa, Okla. — Gage Vaughn of the Madill Takedown Club made history as Southern Oklahoma’s only Junior-level girl to conquer the 2025 USAOKW Freestyle/ Greco State Championship. That tournament took place at the Arvest Convention Center on May 24, 2025, over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Vaughn took the gold medal in Freestyle, wrestling in the Junior Girls 135-lb division. Making quick work of her opponent, she punched her ticket for the 2025 USMC Junior Nationals, commonly referred to as “Fargo”.
To say Fargo is a big deal is deeply understated. Fargo is the end-of-season competition where qualified youth wrestlers face off in North Dakota for 10 days in July.
Vaughn also achieved many firsts for the Madill Takedown Club. She became the club’s first girl to win a gold medal and to qualify for Fargo,inadditiontobeingthe only Southern Okie to stand atop the Junior Girls’ podiums in any weight bracket.
Vaughn’s Freestyle Record showed her dominating heropponentwithaTechFall and improving on that with a Pin in under a minute:
• Round 1: Win - TF 13-2 (3:27)
• Round 2: Win - F (0:56) In the aftermath of Vaughn’s stunning achievement, her mother Gina said this win was a great way to relight her fire for wrestling.
“This season Gage has had some struggles moving up to Juniors from Cadet,” Gina said. “This weekend, winning gold has rekindled her excitement for wrestling. With purpose and effort, she looks forward to improving every time she steps on the mat.”
GinaalsonotedthatCoach Hammerisanimportantpart of the wrestlers’ achievements.
“CoachHammer’ssupport and optimism for Gage is wonderful,” she said. “His willingness to be available for her wrestling needs is and will continue to be a great asset. We are extremely appreciative to have it.”
Vaughn joined the Madill Takedown Club just three weeks before the Freestyle State Championship. She and Hammer got to work quickly making the adjustments Vaughn needed to nab the gold.
According to Coach Hammer, Vaughn is a rare find.
“The interesting thing about Gage is that she is one of the few wrestlers I’ve met that’s incredibly humble about her natural talent,” Hammersaid.“Sheisalsoone of the few that will outwork hercompetitionknowingthat hard work beats talent in the long run. Talent can only go so far. Hard work will catch it and suplex it. The amount of sweat equity she put into her three weeks with me was thereasonshemadeherwins happen. She put in the effort, even driving all the way from Caddo to Madill. I am elated for her.”
All of the coaches and board members of the Madill Takedown Club said they are excited for Vaughn’s future and what she will accomplish at the USMC Junior Nationals.