Current Features

December 10, 2001
 
 

AAA State Champ Stephanie Madia on her Foot Locker experience.

Stephanie Madia had a senior cross country season that anyone would dream of. Healthy. Fast. Tri-States Meet Champ. State Championship. Foot Locker Finalist. And to top it off, a 5K PR by six seconds. PennTrackXC talked with her Sunday afternoon after her return from Florida. Her responses follow:

ON THE RACE:
"I felt under control. At regionals, too many people passed me. By going out slower, I was doing what I did all season. I went out in about 5:30 and was in about 27th place. But I felt great the second mile, and moved up in the second mile. But in the last mile, the heat got to me a little bit. I haven't run in that kind of heat since the summer. The surface was really nice. It was rolling, but I definitely prefer a few more hills."

ON THE COMPETITION:
"It was everything I thought it would be. It was a big wake-up call with the competition. But it has motivated me to train even harder, and has shown me how to run bigger races."

ON THE EVENT:
"It was a whole weekend of great surprises. Foot Locker did so many special things for us. Our team (Northeast) captain was Suzy Favor Hamilton. Regina Jacobs and Michael Johnson were there. It got me so motivated. Suzy ran with us on Friday. She was with us at all the dinners and events, and before the race was giving us tips. At the Disneyworld parade, we walked behind the Olympic athletes, and we had our Foot Locker Nationals shirts on, and were slapping high fives with kids. It was great!"

ON BEING IN THE RACE WITH THE RECORD SETTING AMBER TROTTER:
"She is an incredible runner. She talked with all the athletes. She's a real role model."

HOW DID SHE GET TO THIS LEVEL:
"I had wanted to go to Foot Lockers last year, but we (my coaches and I) were apprehensive about running it so soon. But after Indoor States last season, I was not happy. I was anxious to make my mark my senior season, and to do the best I possibly could. I wanted to win states (she did, in the 1600 last spring), and I started setting long-term goals. As a freshman, I would never have believed all this. It has exceeded my expectations. My family and coaches (along with Baldwin coach Rich Wright) have been so supportive. With my parents, no sacrifice has been too great. They would get up at five to drive me anywhere I had to be."

ON HER LACK OF NATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
"It would have been nice to run Foot Lockers before Orlando. But it's a lot for a young athlete. This year, I was ready and really excited. It's a toss-up. Jessica (sophomore Jessica Cickay of Council Rock) was one of only three sophomores in the race. She is such a talented athlete. She will do well."

ON PLANS FOR THE REST OF HER SENIOR YEAR:
"I'm going to take some time off. I want to get ready for spring. Get away from it mentally, and physically for awhile, and not have to focus so much."

HER FAVORITE EVENT:
"It's hard to say. I always thought I was a two-miler. But then I did so well in the mile. I love it all. It depends on which season it is. The one I'm in is my favorite."