The Ultimate athlete is a student who trains hard and is committed to excellence, on and off the field. Their work ethic, dedication, determination, and mental toughness is what makes these athletes truly exceptional. Each week the Country Herald will support these incredible student-athletes in our series, The Ultimate.
This week’s Ultimate is Madelyn Storm, a senior at Gardner South Wilmington High School. Madelyn is a three-sport athlete that plays volleyball, basketball, and softball. Madelyn made the all-conference team for volleyball and basketball in 2019. When described by her basketball coach, Amber Eisha, she said, “Madelyn is one of the most dedicated players I’ve had since taking over [coaching the team] in 2014.”
“She gets in extra time in the gym and on her own in the off season to ensure she is prepared for [the] season. “She is always positive and a leader by example for our team. She is consistent in all games, so she is an extremely reliable asset towards our success. She was thrown into a whole new position her junior year and instead of complaining she worked endlessly to ensure she excelled at the challenge. We could not have had the success we did without her.”
Madelyn, when did you first got involved with sports?
I started playing soccer when I was in kindergarten.
Who would you say is a hero in your life?
Anthony Rizzo.
What is it you admire about Anthony Rizzo?
I admire the Cubs first baseman because he is a good role model. I also admire his dedication to his charity to find a cure for childhood cancer.
In your sports career have you ever had any nail-biting incidents that have had a happy ending?
I shot in the three-point contest at regionals. The top four in the regional advanced to sectionals. I was super nervous, but I advanced. There were 16 girls in the sectional and only four advanced to the state contest at ISU. I ended up in the top 10 in the state of Illinois. It was so cool.
Walk us through a typical day in the life of Madelyn Storm.
I either wake up and go to morning practice or wake up to go to school. If we don’t have practice in the morning, we have practice right after school, and then after practice I go home and eat dinner. After dinner, I do my homework. After my homework I play with my dog or watch TV and just kind of hang out with my family.
What would you say the role of a sports parent is?
The role of an athlete’s parent is to support the athlete and come to their games to cheer them on.
What would you say the role of the athlete’s coach is?
The coach’s role is to make them better and tell them what they are doing wrong.
What are your future aspirations after high school?
My future aspiration is to go to college.
Would you happen to have a plan on how you’ll fulfill your dreams of going to college?
I don’t have a plan as of now.
Would you happen to know what college you would like to attend after high school?
I don’t know yet [laughs], sorry.
What do you give up to play sports?
It’s hard for me to have a job when I play sports. We have open gyms over the summer, and we have practices when we are in season.
How does being an athlete inspire you to do good?
Being an athlete inspires me to do good and get better at things because you want to be the best. Being an athlete also pushes me to keep working and try harder at the things I’m not good at.
How would your teammates describe you?
They would probably describe me as funny and a leader. I am the captain of the basketball team because I’m very loud and spirited.
Finally, Madelyn, what is your favorite sports movie?
My favorite sports movie is Sandlot. Not only is this movie hilarious but all the characters show their love for the game and [for] the friendships developed.
Know a local athlete that you believe is The Ultimate? Tell us who you would like spotlighted by completing the form here, at gocorn.org/athlete.
Note: Interviews maybe edited for length and clarity.
