Northside senior set to take on college as dual-sport athlete

Published 11:19 pm Sunday, March 16, 2025

By Jason O. Boyd

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YEATESVILLE, N.C. — Maria Winfield was so eager to take on the world that her mother said she was born two months premature.

Gladys Winfield said she was just three pounds and three ounces when she was born. Though she was small in size then, she’s made up for it with a big presence in her senior season on the Northside High School wrestling and track teams. She’ll take her talents in both sports and play for Randolph College starting in the fall.

It’s believed she’s one of the first if not the first dual-sport athlete in the school’s history to be able to take her game to the college level.

“We’re just very ecstatic about her accomplishments and what she’s going to do with this next stepping stone,” Northside wrestling coach Daniel Garcia said. “She’s the fourth athlete that the wrestling program has produced over the last few years to go to compete at the collegiate level, and so we’re growing where we can, when we can, and how we can.

“It’s just a great accomplishment, not only for her dedication and her work ethic, but just as a whole to know that she has additional options post-high school.”

Track coach Casey Schulte agreed with the significance of Winfield’s accomplishments.

“Yeah, I’m very excited. This is my first dual athlete and (Northside athletic director) Jared (Adams) and I were saying that it might be the first one in a while,” Schulte said.

“I don’t know the stats on that, but I’m very excited for all that Maria has accomplished in her last high school career. I look forward to seeing what she’s going to do at college. I think she has a lot of potential, and I know she’s going to do great, so I’m very excited.”

Winfield said the process of calling Randolph home started by contacting them. They liked what they saw of both her wrestling at 235 pounds and her performances in shot put and discus. It’s two sports that takes strength and agility and work hand-in-hand, which is part of the reason she’ll be able to compete in both sports in college.

“I like the campus. It’s a very small campus,” Winfield said. “You can find everything really easy.

“I like the coaches. I like the environment a lot, the fields. I feel like the track team, they gave a lot of energy. Wrestling team, same thing. They support one another. It’s just something I like to have in a team.”

Winfield said she wants to work in music therapy and will take psychology and music to achieve that. 

She said she tried out for and made the wrestling and track teams as a junior. From there, she was able to learn quickly, use her strength and determination to achieve success. After a successful wrestling season, she’s hoping to continue that in track and field. The Panthers were in their first meet last Thursday at Pamlico County.

“I feel like I’m ready for the next step,” Winfield said. “I think it’s there. I already have like everything figured out since and am just ready to get started.”

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