MADISON HOWLAND, Women's Track & Field

Smith Center Freshman Madison Howland has been named the NCKSSports.com/Cunningham Fiber Athlete of the Week.

Howland finished an incredible freshman season by winning four medals at the KSHSAA State Track & Field Championships in Wichita this past weekend.  She won three individually, claiming the State title in the 2A Girls 3200m run on Friday night and in the 1600m run on Saturday.  She also finished 2nd in the 800m run and was part of the 4x800m relay team for Smith Center that placed 8th.

In the 3200m on Friday night, Howland set a new PR and broke the Smith Center school record with a championship time of 10:58.26.  In the 1600m, she had a season best time of 5:12.50 on her way to the title.  Her time of 2:18.29 in the 800m run was also her season best.

For the season, Howland took the gold medal at every meet in both the 1600m and 3200m.  Between those two races, she compiled 20 gold medals.  She also claimed two gold medals in the 800m run.  She took the 2A Regional titles in all three of those events at Hill City on May 16.  Added to her 22 individual gold medals, she helped lead the Smith Center 4x800m relay team to three first place finishes for a total of 25 gold medals on the track this season.  The top time for the 4x800m was a 10:19.26 first-place performance at the Beloit Relays on April 26.  Overall, Howland earned 29 medals this spring.

We will announce the winners each week. Remember, you can nominate an athlete from any school sport.