Madeline Lukens '20 Recruiting Profile

    I have been involved in athletics for as long as I can remember.  I began competitive gymnastics at the age of six and continued until the summer before my freshman year of high school when it became clear that it was going to be impossible to be a competitive distance runner and gymnast.  I love being part of a team and thrive when surrounded by others with competitive spirits. My coaches have been an integral part of my life and have helped me to become the person I am today. I would love to find a place in college that would not only challenge me academically, but would also help to continue my passion for competing and running.  Over the past five years running has been an essential part of my day. I love the competitive, yet also calming nature of the sport. It is important to me that I continue my passion for the sport in my college years.

    On a team, I feel I am an asset because of my constant positivity and willingness to not only want to improve my own times, but help my teammates in any possible way regarding their physical and mental health. Throughout my athletic career, in both gymnastics and running, my coaches have consistently complimented me on my coachability.  For example, whenever they would give me a correction even as simple as ‘straighten your legs’, I always tried my hardest to do whatever they told me the next time I did that skill. My main focus during practice is always to listen to my coaches and get feedback from them on how to fix my form, what pace I should be running for that workout, how to control my breathing and so on.   I truly value the input that coaches provide and my connection with my coaches is part of the reason that I would like to pursue education as a career. In 2016, I was awarded the “Teammate of the Year” from my gymnastics’ coaches for consistently supporting my teammates and demonstrating leadership through my work ethic and coachability. On the field, I consistently motivate my teammates through my actions and my positive encouragement.  At the recent regional race, two of my JV teammates came to me to ask me to help them achieve their race goals that day. While one wanted a certain place, the other was racing to hit her PR, but both sought me out because they knew that I could encourage them throughout the race. Throughout the race, I kept track of one teammates place and the other teammates time, even though they were minutes apart from each other, and encouraged them. It was incredibly rewarding to help each of my teammates achieve their goals that day.  Off the field, I am a leader in the classroom by taking my academics seriously. I currently have a 4.025 GPA and consistently strive to not just get a good grade, but to truly understand the skills and content. Since I have been involved with athletics my entire academic career, I have learned how to balance school and athletics. I am very organized and disciplined. I have chosen to follow the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program because it is challenging while allowing me to guide some aspects of my study based on my interests.  For example, I am currently analyzing the extent to which Jesse Owens' victories in the 1936 Olympics affected the attitudes of white Americans towards African-Americans. In addition to finding a healthy balance between school and athletics, I also strive to implement proper nutrition in my diet to fuel my training. I am currently working with a sports nutritionist to further learn how to best use nutrition to be at my best. I am also working with a personal trainer through a Performance and Injury Prevention Program (PIP) to ensure that my body is as healthy as it can be. Finally, I enjoy yoga and meditation and feel that this helps to keep me balanced throughout my week.  I begin each morning with sun salutations and I feel that this helps me to start the day with a clear head.

    Regarding academics in college I am looking for a school with a strong elementary education program that can offer strong internship opportunities. I would prefer a medium sized, non-urban school that has a campus with a multitude of green. I have been fortunate to grow up with a rails-to-trail right in my backyard and I would prefer a campus that has access to trails and parks as opposed to strictly the campus and indoors. Most importantly, is the team and coaches. I would love to find a coaching staff and teammates that will both challenge and encourage me to strive to be my best.   Finding the right fit for me both academically and athletically is the most important aspect of my college search.