Madeline

What do they love most about playing their sport(s)?

Madeline loves skiing because it brings people together. She enjoys meeting athletes from other teams, cheering them on, and celebrating everyone’s accomplishments. Although alpine skiing is an individual sport, she loves how supportive everyone is on the hill. She also loves the challenge of pushing herself to ski faster and see her hard work pay off. Most of all, skiing gives her a community of teammates and friends who share her passion.

Who inspires them—on or off the field—and why?

Madeline is inspired by alpine Olympian Katie Hensien because of her dedication, hard work, and commitment to giving back to the next generation of skiers. Madeline hopes to follow her example by supporting younger athletes and giving back to her community. She volunteers with Michigan Winter Special Olympics, where she loves being surrounded by athletes who challenge themselves and give their all. Their determination inspires her to keep improving both as an athlete and as a teammates.

What’s one moment in their athletic journey that makes you proudest?

We were most proud of Madeline’s attitude and performance at last year’s Rocky-Central U-14 Championship. As the last qualifier, she was seeded near the end, but she never let that discourage her. She showed up to every training run and competition with a positive attitude, skied confidently, and finished higher than her seed. Most importantly, she had fun and encouraged others. She truly embraced the experience. Her positive mindset set the tone for an incredible week.