Madsen comes through for Trojans

Prior to the Sac-Joaquin Section championship race, Oak Ridge freshman Emi Madsen had only run the shorter 3,400-meter run on the Willow Hills course. At the Josh Ruff Memorial Invitational held in early September, Madsen ran second in 14:26.30 and she said she almost passed out after finishing. At the 5k Sac-Joaquin Section championships on Saturday, Madsen had to run the longer and more challenging 5K course, and this coming two days after not feeling too well. As it turned out, Madsen had the race of her life, placing 10th in 20:11 and helping her team qualify for the CIF State Cross Country Championships. "Emi has been an absolute pleasure to coach," Oak Ridge coach Rob Fairley said. "She's eager to learn how to be a more efficient and stronger distance runner. She is a hard worker and a fierce competitor. "Emi always gives 110 percent in every race. She is supportive and encouraging to her teammates. She has a very positive attitude. "Despite getting sick the day before the section meet, she arrived at the meet with a positive attitude and said she was feeling better and would give her best effort in the race. "Emi had an amazing race at sections, running strong throughout the race to place 10th and receive an individual medal for placing in the top-10. Emi is a freshman and to place in the top-10 at the section meet is a tremendous accomplishment." Folsom Telegraph: What are your hopes/plans for after graduation? Emi Madsen: I'm just starting my high school experience, so I'm beginning to explore options. I plan to attend a university, and right now I'm looking into the medical field. FT: Do you hope to run in college? EM: If the opportunity arises, I think running in college would be an amazing experience! FT: Do sports run in your family? EM: We all love to run as a family. For the past three years, we have participated in the local running club Buffalo Chips, and have had an awesome experience working with Coach Linda. Both my siblings Paul and Kimi have both been doing incredible and have shown amazing improvement during their past few running seasons. FT: How long have you been running cross country and how did you get your start in it? EM: I ran my first season of cross country in third grade at Jackson Elementary, but I started training regularly when I joined the Buffalo Chips running club in sixth grade. It was the only sport we could find still going during quarantine, and I am so glad that I found it! FT: Have you ever been involved in any other sports? EM: Besides running, I also enjoy skiing, backpacking, rock climbing, and basketball. Additionally, I have acted in about 10 different musicals with EDMT, Sutter Street Theater, and CYT. FT: What do you enjoy about cross country? EM: I love the team aspect of cross country. Working and training together with a great group of people is such an amazing experience. Together we have all made so much improvement and have formed close friendships. FT: Did you run track first and then move to cross country or did you run cross country first? EM: I started running cross country at Jackson Elementary, which didn't offer track. I began doing track in seventh grade. FT: How has your freshman year gone? EM: It has been going great! I have an awesome group of friends, supportive coaching staff and teachers, and amazing teammates. FT: Could you have imagined back in early August, you'd be having the success you've had? What do you attribute your success to? EM: I started the season with an injury, so my initial goal was just to get healthy and make a positive contribution. My coaches were really careful to ensure I recovered fully before going all out. I started running full effort in mid-September. With my coaches' guidance and inspiration from teammates, I achieved far more than I had expected. I attribute a lot of my success to my fellow teammate and friend Loti Boucher, who I have trained and raced with for three years. FT: You had your best race Saturday at the Sac-Joaquin Section finals, running a 5K for the first time on the Willow Hills course in the biggest race held there and you hit it out of the park. How did that make you feel? EM: It was absolutely amazing. I came down with a cold on Thursday so I wasn't sure how well I would perform, but I decided I was going to go out and give it my best shot. One advantage I had was that Buffalo Chips running club holds all of their practices at Willow Hills, so I know every bump and hill in that course really well. FT: What have your teammates told you about the state meet? What is your goal and how do you plan to run the race? EM: Luckily we ran the state meet course a month ago at the Clovis Invitational. But I know it will be a different experience because there will be a much higher level of competition. Since this is my first time at a state meet, I'll do what I normally do and give it my best effort, and let the results take care of themselves. FT: Do you have a favorite genre of music or a favorite singer/group/rapper? EM: This might sound weird, but I am actually a big fan of musical theater, my favorite performer being Sutton Foster. I also enjoy listening to bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Green Day. FT: Favorite food? EM: I'd have to go with sushi. It also helps that I'm learning Japanese in a class taught by my mom at Oak Ridge. FT: Do you have any pets? Tell us about them. EM: I have no pets myself but for the past few years I have taken care of the local animals in my neighborhood. FT: Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your free time? EM: I love to sing, read a good book, and spend time with friends. During running off seasons, you can find me skiing, rock climbing and backpacking. FT: What inspires you in sports? EM: I love the feeling of accomplishment after completing a hard challenge. I also like being active in sports because exercising enhances all other aspects in my life. FT: What job or profession do you hope to have some day? EM: Right now I am looking at jobs in the medical field. I enjoy science and problem solving, and hope to help others in the future.