LebCo Athlete of the Week: Maddy Waldron

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Featuring photos by Chris Campisano 

Campisano is a senior at Palmyra High School and was also a member of the Football and Track & Field teams.

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Maddy Waldron

During the week of May 11th, Maddy Waldron delivered the kind of performance that helped lead Palmyra’s push at one of the toughest meets of the season.

Competing against a 30-team field at the Mid Penn Championships, the junior brought home three silver medals for the Cougars. Waldron placed 2nd in the 100m in 12.39, 2nd in the 200m in 25.29, and also ran on Palmyra’s runner-up 4x100m relay that finished in 49.84. In the process, she qualified for the District 3 Class 3A Championships in all three events. That outstanding effort also caught the attention of LebCoSports.com voters, who selected her as a LebCo Athlete of the Week.

Reflecting on that meet, Waldron kept the focus on the hardware she brought home for Palmyra.

“At Mid Penns, I earned three silver medals in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay,” said Waldron.

She followed that up with another impressive performance at the District 3 Championships this past weekend. Waldron earned two individual medals, placing 7th in the 100m in 12.32 and 6th in the 200m in 25.56. Her finish in the 100m not only earned her a medal, but also punched her ticket to States by placing in the top 8 while hitting the Class 3A qualifying standard. She also ran the anchor leg on Palmyra’s 4x100m relay, which set a new school record at 48.84 while placing 8th. The relay included Cala Hipple, Emily Bearinger, Allie Fink, and Waldron.

For Waldron, the season goals were clear from the start, and she has already checked off one of the biggest ones.

“My goals for this season were to make the top 8 at Districts and qualify for States in both of my individual events,” said Waldron. “I did make it in the 100, so now I’m hoping I can run 12-flat or maybe even a high 11.”

She said this postseason run has felt especially rewarding because of how much progress she has made since last year.

“I’m really proud of what I’ve accomplished this season,” said Waldron. “I only qualified for 1 event at States, but last year I only got into the 200m because someone scratched. It felt good to make it on my own terms this year.”

Waldron is primarily known for her success in field hockey, but her speed has made her one of the top sprinters in the area as well. She is also still relatively new to track, having only joined the sport in 8th grade. Waldron said that background made some of the bigger meets early in her career feel like a challenge, especially as a freshman, but it also showed her how much room she had to grow.

Outside of track & field, Waldron is also a standout on the field hockey field for both Palmyra and her club team, PA United. This past fall, she helped Palmyra win both a District 3 title and the PIAA State Championship.

Looking ahead, she plans to attend Shippensburg University, where she will continue her athletic career as a multi-sport athlete competing in field hockey and track while studying to become a sports physical therapist.

Knowing that she could not achieve the level success she has found on her own, she made sure to pay tribute to those who have supported her in her journey.

“I would like to thank my mom and my grandma for always being there to support me throughout the season,” said Waldron. “No matter how early it was or what the weather was like, they always showed up and were my No. 1 supporters. I’d also like to thank my coaches for pushing me to make it to this point in the season.”

On a personal note, Waldron said she is usually either with friends or at the gym when she is not training. One fun fact she shared is that she is the only redhead in her household.

For Waldron, one of the best parts of sports is the thrill that comes with competing.

“I love the competition and the adrenaline, and I also love making new friends,” said Waldron.

Congratulations to Maddy Waldron on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors, and best of luck to her as she heads to compete in the PIAA State Championship Meet.

Photos by Chris Campisano 

LebCo Male Athlete of the Week: Blake Burdick

Past Winners

Ava Lantz (Week of 4/27)

Addi Davis (Week of 4/20)

Kiersten Powell (Week of 4/13)

Avery Lechleitner (Week of 4/6)

Addison Hollenbach (Week of 3/30)

Chloe Shirk (Week of 3/23)

Ryleigh Hopkins (Week of 3/9, 3/16)