Despite just getting the ground running for her track career last year, sophomore Madison Spango has already reached milestones in both winter and spring track. Spango has reached county championships, sectionals and group championships – an accomplishment that has not been met by a West Essex track athlete since 2017.
Spango said she started running track after receiving countless compliments about her speed during soccer season. During the past winter season, Spango competed in the 55m sprint and the 200m sprint. In the spring, she participates in the 100m sprint, 200m sprint, 4×100 and 400m relays and long jump. Since she already plays a fall sport, she wanted to stay in shape during the winter and spring.
“My Nonna and my parents said I should try,” Spango said. “So I did, and I ended up falling in love with it.”
Spango said what she finds interesting about track is that races require both physical and mental preparations.
“The night before, I write in my notes positive things to think about and get all my negative thoughts out,” she said. “I change my nervous energy into energy of excitement that I could use for my race.”
As a track athlete, she said, she has learned the key to help her better improve her performance all starts off the track. Spango highlighted the importance of eating a better diet before racing and staying hydrated. Coach Joe Cardinale and Coach Bill Morgan’s training pushed her during the winter, which contributed to her success. Coach Anthony Emering and Coach Anthony Lambo also play key roles in her success during the spring, along with Coach Francesca Petracco’s contributions during both winter and spring. She feels that having supportive teammates and coaches help her to be the best athlete she can be.
“Having a coach like Coach P makes the sport more enjoyable and I look forward to going to practice everyday,” Spango said. “Coach Emering and Coach Lambo too, all of my coaches are always supporting me.”
In the future, Spango said she’s looking forward to breaking the indoor and outdoor records. By her junior or senior year, she wants to make it to New Balance Nationals, a track meet with the best runners from around the country.
“Don’t have the mindset of it being easy. It’s not,” Spango said. “It’s not easy to put in hard work every day and then show up at the track meet and do good.”
