“On your mark…” Bang!

Ladue Horton Watkins High School junior and track sprinter Madison Barker is at it again, leading the pack to the finish line. Simple joy is the only push that Madison needs to keep her running to the end.

“I love to run because it makes me happy and really allows me to express myself physically as well as emotionally,” said Madison, a congregant at Temple Israel.

Madison’s passion for running began with a gentle “push” from her parents, who encouraged her to walk and run as soon as she could. 

“Madison’s running career began when we kicked her out of the stroller as soon as she could walk,” Karen Barker, Madison’s mother, said. “She would be toddling along, trying to keep up, while all the other little kids got to relax in their strollers.”

Madison’s parents were inspired to push her to exercise, even at a young age, because exercising is a large part of their family’s lives. They can often be found along the side of the road, running and riding their bikes. Their enthusiasm for exercising has contributed to their strong support of Madison’s athletic career.

“My family is very supportive of my running,” Madison said. “Ever since my mom had me join my first team in the sixth grade, my parents have been at the front of the stands at every meet cheering me on all the way to the finish line.”

Although Madison has suffered a few injuries that set her back, she continually rises to the front of the pack through hard work and determination.

“My freshman year I had hip and shin injuries that stopped me from running briefly, but only motivated me more when I was back on my feet,” Madison said. “Actually, in order to get back to where I needed to be, I also joined my school’s cross country team.”

Madison’s coach, Keith Harder, sees both great potential and leadership in the aspiring runner.

“She really leads by example more than anything.  Her work ethic and practice habits are excellent,” Harder said, “She is a talented person who is very humble in regards to her talents.  It’s a rarity to find an athlete who is as humble as herself, that is as accomplished as she is on the track.”

Madison’s sheer love for the sport pushes her to train year-round and has already led her to qualify for the 2012 Missouri State Track and Field Meet.

“Chaotic … is the single word that I can use to describe the meet, but that energy, along with the reassurance of my teammates, is all I need to have an amazing race,” Madison said.

Madison, alongside her relay mates, pulled one another through each of their races at the state meet, and Madison ran her personal best time of 57.3 seconds in the 4×400 relay in the 2011-2012 season. 

Madison doesn’t just use that chaotic energy to fuel her running, but applies her enthusiasm for athletics to helping others as well. Every year, Madison runs in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, absorbing in the energetic surroundings. 

“The atmosphere at the Race for the Cure is always fantastic,” Madison said. “So many people come together to support such a great cause while running at the same time.”

She has personal ties to the Susan G. Komen Foundation that inspired her to volunteer. “Madison volunteered for Susan Komen because a close family friend, more of an aunt to Madison, was diagnosed with breast cancer,” Barker said. 

Madison hopes to have another great season with another visit to the state meet in May. Next year, she plans to apply to Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Missouri-Columbia, as well as other small schools, and hopes to continue running at whatever school she attends.