Maddison Prescott - Mt Ararat HS
What was your most memorable races?
My two most memorable races both happened this season. In the 100 at outdoor KVAC’s I achieved the one goal I set for myself for the season, which was to break 13 seconds. Doing that at KVACs couldn't have been better. The second most memorable race came in a regular season meet when my 4x1 team rearranged positions and switched some runners. We ran two seconds faster and were .05 from the school record. The reason it was so memorable because it showed us that we had the potential to achieve our goal (of breaking the school record) and possibly more.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
I can't pinpoint one particular accomplishment, but I think I would point to my entire senior season for outdoor. I was able to work through injuries and was able to PR. It shows to me that if I push through I can achieve my goals.
If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?
The one thing I regret is not running the 200 dash every meet as a freshman, sophomore and junior. I have run it before, but for some reason I never ran it as one of my main events until my senior year. If I had run it throughout high school I am sure I could have improved my times, not only in the 200, but in the 100, 4x400 and 4x100.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
On my first long jump of the 2012 outdoor state meet I pulled my right hamstring, which cost me the entire meet. After that I went to physical therapy up until the 2012 indoor season, where I pulled both my right and left hamstrings again. Unfortunately, this meant I was sidelined for most of the indoor season, only competing at the Bowdoin Relays, one regular season meet, and the Dartmouth Relays. At the indoor state meet I was seeded 3rd in the 55 dash, but I pulled my right hamstring again in the trials about halfway through. However, I forced myself to finish the race, because I knew would have regretted it if I walked off the track. Going into my outdoor season, I had to change my entire running form to reduce the strain on my hamstrings. Overcoming this injury was the most difficult obstacle I have ever had to face, but I was still able to shatter some old PRs and fully recover.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my team, I will miss the sense of community you get at track meets, I will miss the competition, and I will miss the people I
have run against since freshman year. I can't pick a single thing I will miss about track, because I will miss all of it.
have run against since freshman year. I can't pick a single thing I will miss about track, because I will miss all of it.
What advice you would give to younger athletes?
Never give up. If you want to be the best you have to push yourself every second of practice. If you slack in practice you won’t ever reach your goals. When you are in the middle of a hard workout or in the middle of a race and every muscle is screaming at you to stop, that is when you have to dig a little deeper and push through it. Those are the moments where you will achieve your greatness. You just have to believe you can do it and never give up.
What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?
This past season we got a new sprinting coach, Pam Swan. I worked with Coach Swan before when I was about 10, but having her as a high school coach changed my entire season for the better. If Coach Swan didn’t see my horrible backside mechanics and change my entire running form, I never would have had run the times I did. Coach Swan has shown me that I can achieve anything, as long as I work for it and never give up. Also my four year coach, Stu Palmer. Palmer has yelled at me, along with everyone else, since Freshman year to "run faster." Palmer has become more than a coach, but a father figure to me, showing me that I have the potential to do great things if I don't give up. These two coaches have made a big impact on my athletic career, as well as my life, and will be truly missed.
What are your college plans? Next year I'll be attending Johnson State College in Vermont, to study Outdoor Education. I had to make a tough decision to end a 13-year track career, but I am planning on playing soccer at JSC.
Who would you like to say thank you to?
I would like to say thank you to the people who have pushed me to do my best. Starting with my two of my teammates, both on my 4x100 and 4x400 teams, Olivia Swan and Lizzie O'Neal. Without you two my season would not have gone the way it did. My coach Pam Swan, who will be truly missed next year. I am sure the Alabama track team will love you (remind them to dorsiflex). Stu Palmer, who I cant say enough about and again will be truly missed. And Ms. Fournier. Without you we would not have had such great track meets and we wouldn't have juice and cookies before KVACs and States. Thanks to my brother Kurt Prescott who was my coach throughout my summer track career. Thanks to my parents for their support. Big thanks to all of the officials, coaches and other athletes, the sport would not be the same without you. Lastly, to my teammate since I was 5 years old, Nicole Ross. Thanks for helping me do my best for the past 13 years and good luck next year.
Personal Bests
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100 Meter Dash 12.83
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200 Meter Dash 27.35
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55 Meter Dash 7.53
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Long Jump 16-2
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Triple Jump 34-0.25