- Order Now!!! VYPE Oklahoma Announces the 2020 Pigskin Preview
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Track Athlete Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, Wicker (Poll Ends 5/11)
- VYPE Magazine Announces the Shelter Insurance Mr. & Miss Basketball Oklahoma Award Winners – Bryce Thompson & Aaliyah Moore
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Slowpitch Softball Player Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, Wicker (Poll Ends 4/24)
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Golfer/Tennis Player Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, & Wicker (Poll Ends 4/20)
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Boys Soccer Player Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, & Wicker (Poll Ends 4/15)
- Morrison’s Trevor Hughes – Athlete Spotlight Presented By Stillwater Medical Center Clinic of Morrison
- Pawnee’s Lexie Tatum – Athlete Spotlight Presented By Stillwater Medical Center Clinic of Pawnee
- Blackwell’s Tori Wood – Character Counts Presented By Blackwell Regional Hospital
- Blackwell’s Brett Lenon – Character Counts Presented By BancFirst Blackwell
Davenport’s Maddie Harelson – Character Counts Presented by Central Electric Cooperative
- Updated: May 23, 2019
By Nate McElrath
It’s been a long race for Davenport High School senior, Maddie Harelson. Harelson has ran track since the fifth grade, but has competed nearly her entire life.
“I’ve competed in track since 5th grade I think. But I’ve raced against my brothers since I was little,” said Harelson.
As a freshman, she became a multi-race runner as she took on the 100m dash, the 200m dash, the 4×200 relay, and the 4×100 relay. With such a heavy load she relies on her teammates and coaches for support.
“I love how my teammates have always believed in me and trusted me. Anytime I worried I wasn’t doing enough for my coach or my teammates, they were the first to lift me up,” she said.
Support from not only her teammates and coaches, but the community as well, is why she is so proud to be a student athlete at DHS.
“I love everything about being a student athlete at Davenport. I love how I can walk anywhere in town and people will ask me about our games or my races,” she stated.
She doesn’t take this support lightly, and realizes that it comes with responsibilities as well. “It means everything to me to represent my school. Since sixth grade I have been taught how important it is to be a leader and a good example. I learned that without my teammates there’s no team, and a bad attitude helps no one but the other team. When people watch me compete in any sport, I want them to see a good representation of Davenport,” says Harelson.
She recognizes the importance of education. So much so that she is concurrently enrolled at Seminole State College during her senior year.
“Academics are very important. To be able to play sports you need good grades, to get into college you need good grades, and when sports are over I need academics for my future plan in what job I want to do,” she said.
Outside of sports, she is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Yearbook Club. When she’s not proudly representing Davenport High School, she enjoys hanging out with her brothers and sister, watching movies, swimming, or just competing in any sport at all. She also loves playing with her dog Mo.
Upon graduation, this student-athlete intends to continue her hard work in both academics and athletics at UCO.
“After I graduate, I will attend The University of Central Oklahoma. I will play basketball there and study psychology to hopefully become a licensed professional counselor,” she said.
Related Posts
