Issue 6 Page 4

Senior Mason Madrigal has three goals this track season – place in the 100 meters, 200 and the 400 relay in the Class 6A meet.

“It’s been a very long time since Derby has had a sprinter up on the podium and I just want to represent Derby High School as best as I can,” Madrigal said. “I’ve also always been so fascinated with the process of sprinting so to see all my years of hard work pay off would be very satisfying.”

Madrigal, who signed to run at Emporia State, didn’t get to compete in the 400 relay as a junior due to a clerical error heading into regionals. 

“It was really painful because that was the last time I would get to run with Christian Crawford and he was just a big inspiration for me,” Madrigal said. “If we were able to run at regionals we would have qualified and if we would have run at state we have for sure placed.”

Though it was devastating, it motivated Madrigal and the team. 

“Currently, I am not where I want to be, but I know I will get there by the end of this season,” Madrigal said.

Coaches, teammates and friends see the amount of determination and dedication Madrigal has. 

“The most impressive thing that I’ve seen Mason do on the track was last year at regionals,” said senior Brock Zerger, who runs on the 400 relay, too. “He was ranked pretty low coming into the meet; however, he was able to find a way to place top four and make it to state in the 100 and 200 both, all while running on a hurt hamstring that he hurt in prelims earlier that day.”

Madrigal has done well. He won the 200 in the Class 6-4A division at Wichita State’s Pre-State meet in April, finishing fourth in the 100 in the elite division.

During the KU relays, Madrigal ran a 10.87 in the 100. 

“Mason has been committed to achieving his goals,” coach Cedric Shell said, “He always goes above and beyond what is expected and always strives for excellence in everything he does.”

Zerger agreed.

“He has great character and is a great teammate and friend, and his work ethic will definitely get him far not just running at the next level, but also in his life in general,” Zerger said.

After the postseason, Madrigal will turn his focus on running for Emporia State. 

“My eighth grade year (is) when I gained a passion for track (and) I decided I wanted to run in college,” Madrigal said. “My coach at the time told me I could if I worked hard and decided to make it a goal then and there.”