We all have aspects of our parents in us, and whether sophomore Emma Madgic gets her running gene from her dad, a marathon runner, or whether it’s just pure talent, she has managed to climb her way to the top of Aragon’s cross-country and track teams.
Says cross-country and track coach Frank Hunt, “Emma is following in the footsteps of two of the top female runners in school history: Nicole Portley and Lauren Croshaw. Each of these athletes were top [Peninsula Athletic League] and [Central Coast Section] runners in both sports in which Emma is engaged.”
Being a competitive swimmer in middle school, Madgic didn’t start seriously running until high school. Starting out her freshman year strong, Madgic beat the all-time freshman marks in both the 800m race and the 1600m race and also played a major role in her team’s advancement to last year’s cross-country state playoffs.
What’s the secret to Madgic’s 5:18 mile? Maybe it’s the oatmeal she eats before every meet, or maybe it’s her lucky pair of socks. Most likely, it’s her pure love for running that pushes her to be the best.
No matter what the secrets are to Madgic’s talents, her contributions to her teams go far beyond her speed. “Emma is also a role model for the other members of the cross country team and not just the girls,” explains Hunt. “Motivating her is not an issue as she has the commitment and desire to succeed. So in her case, at times, it is necessary to talk about overdoing things. She is a driven athlete who looks for ways to improve. Last year she did have some injuries which set her back a bit in cross country. It was important to make sure she did not do too much too soon and get re-injured.”
As well as being an outstanding runner, Madgic is just as successful in the classroom. The discipline she displays on the track carries over to her schoolwork, as she explains how, “I spend a lot of time running so it’s definitely hard to get my homework done all the time, but I set aside time in the evening without my phone so I can focus for, say, 90 minutes.”
Madgic took the CCS field by storm on Nov. 5, finishing in fifth place out of 116 runners, completing the 2.95 mile race in just over 18 minutes — her personal record. Her strong finish earned her a spot in the state competition, where she will be the Aragon’s only female representation in the race.
Wherever her future takes her, Madgic will carry high expectations during her future years as a Don.
