Division III Week Student Spotlight – Madison Hunt
This week is NCAA Division III Week and member institutions across the country are celebrating the ninth-year event.
Division III Week, which runs from Monday through Sunday, is intended to recognize the academic and athletic accomplishments as well as the campus leadership and community service efforts of Division III student-athletes.
As part of Huntingdon College's participation in Division III Week, 18 student-athletes will be featured this week. Brooks Freeman, Madison Hunt and Tristan Powell are today's featured student-athletes.
By Brittany Greene
Sports Information Assistant
Name: Madison Hunt
Year: Senior
Hometown: Crossville, Ala.
Major: Biology
Sport: Softball
Athletic Accomplishments: Hunt appeared in 84 games during her four-year Huntingdon career and posted a 41-19 record with one save. She pitched 34 complete games and finished her career with a 2.56 ERA, 200 strikeouts and 64 walks in 372 innings. She was a first-team All-Conference selection as a junior and a second-team West Division selection as a sophomore. As a senior, she was tied for second in the conference in wins, tied for fourth in complete games and tied for eighth in strikeouts when the season was halted. During her junior year, the Hawks set the program's NCAA-era record with 31 wins in a season.
Academic Achievements and Campus Activities: Hunt is a member of Phi Mu and the Biology Club and has participated in team-sponsored community service initiatives.
What made you feel like Huntingdon was the right place for you? "As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I felt like it would be the most fitting place for me. As my tour on campus continued, seeing the class size, how much the professors cared for their students and the overall atmosphere, I knew it would be my home away from home. It was a place that I could not only further my education, but also continue the sport I love. Coming from a small town and knowing almost everybody, Huntingdon felt like family to me."
As a student-athlete, what is your impression of Division III now compared to your first season? "Division III offers the whole college experience where academics come first. Just like the other divisions, we had to learn how to balance our academics while playing our sport. It also gave us time out of our sport and out of the classroom. Some people say that D-I is way better than the rest, but all three are very similar. Although we do not get any kind of athletic scholarships, it just makes us work harder for the sport we love."
With the COVID-19 pandemic changing the world we live in, what have you learned about the compassion and resiliency of your friends, family and classmates? "I have learned that everybody is new to this problem. We can no longer see each other due to being on lockdown or in the stay at home order. We are learning how to work from home and finish college through online classes. It can get difficult at times, but we are going to get through this."
If you could offer one piece of encouragement at this time to your friends, family and classmates, what would it be? "Please use all precautions and practice social distancing. Pray for everybody worldwide."
What advice would you give our current underclassmen and incoming recruits to better prepare them for the next few years? "Do not take anything for granted. Enjoy every minute and give everything 110 percent. Build relationships and connect to people off and on the field. Go the extra mile even if you feel like quitting. Give God all the glory! Because of Him, you have the opportunity to be here."
How has your experience at Huntingdon prepared you for life after Huntingdon? "I believe all the professors I had during these four years made me a better student. Learning how to study while traveling was a task that I had to learn quickly and with the help of professors, I progressed. Huntingdon's CCV held many network fairs, meetings and graduate school fairs that gave me opportunities to meet new people. Out of the classroom, both of my coaches made me a better athlete. Giving me opportunities and chances, made me become confident in myself. I am thankful for everybody who has been a part of my four years here."