WEST ALEXANDRIA — Madison Wright knew she enjoyed running at a young age.
She also knew it was something that she would like to do at the collegiate level as well.
The Twin Valley South senior will take her talents in cross county and track to Division I Saint Francis next fall, committing to run for the Red Flash late last fall.
“Basically ever since I started running. I’ve liked it for as long as I can remember,” she said of choosing to further her athletic career in the two sports.
She said she began running a track in junior high and cross country as a freshman. She competed in a few elementary races prior to that.
“I like being by myself and running helps me clear my thoughts,” she said. “It’s a stress relief. It tests how strong you are mentally. A lot (of other) sports I don’t think they do as much.”
Wright, a state qualifier in both sports, has also participated in volleyball and basketball for the Panthers.
Wright said one of the main reasons she chose Saint Francis was for its academics.
“They have really good academics and I liked their team a lot,” Wright said. “I just really like their academics basically.”
Wright, a three-time state qualifier in cross country, finished in the top 35 each time.
Competing at the Division I level will challenge Wright and it’s something she is looking forward to.
“I’m a little nervous of the competition. I think, though, that they’ll push me enough that I will be able to compete,” she said.
Wright said her time at South has been fun.
“It’s been great working with all the girls on the team,” she said.
She said she is glad the recruiting process is over.
“It was kind of cool at first. Then it got really stressful because you had to decide where to go,” she said.
Twin Valley South Assistant Athletic Director Glen Mabry said Wright’s ability to play multiple sports sets her apart.
“She’s a very versatile athlete. Not only does she know she can compete at the college level in cross county, but there are multiple events in track that she can compete in because she’s kind of the rare athlete that has the endurance and also the speed. Hopefully, with all that experience she’s gained in high school in all the events she’s done, it maybe is a small reason she was able to accomplish getting a D-I scholarship,” he said.
The Red Flash, located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, competes in the Northeast Conference.
