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Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302
(article posted by Emily Zadny, Student Sports Information Assistant)

Mar. 18, 2015 - Lacing up spikes and competing on the track seems to run in the family for North Central College junior women's track and field athlete Madison Renfro. Hoping to follow in her father's footsteps and take after her older brother, she decided to try it out.
 
"My dad was a runner in high school, and when I heard we could join the track and field team in middle school, that what I did," said the Moweaqua, Illinois native. "I also thought it would be pretty cool to be in the same sport as my older brother."
 
Renfro found a niche in hurdling and decided that was the event for her, especially the 100-meter hurdles.
 
"It actually started as my least favorite event, but once I realized I could be good at them I started to like them," said Renfro. "I also enjoy the obstacle of hurdling and always having something that I can improve after each race."
 
Looking to run in college, Renfro found her home at North Central, both on and off the track.
 
"I love the atmosphere and our team's attitude," she said. "I have made so many friends on the team and I have learned a lot through the program. Our team is so positive and hard-working and those are the kind of people I want to be around."
 
Now that she is well into her college career, Renfro has shown that hard work pays off. This past indoor season, she set new North Central varsity records in the 55-meter dash and the 55-meter hurdles. She also made her second appearance at the NCAA Division III Indoor National Championships this season. The National finals were a big moment for Renfro and the big stage did not shake her confidence or pre-race routine.
 
"I always look down the track twice while I am getting into my blocks before a race," she said. "It gets me excited to see what I'm about to do and it has just always been apart of my routine."
 
Renfro finished in fourth place in the 60-meter hurdles with a time of 8.59 seconds, a time that broke another school record, one that she already held. And it doesn't stop there. Renfro, along with two other teammates, earned repeat All-American honors.
 
"This indoor season I was able to contribute in more than one event; at the end of last year I felt like I could do more, so I asked if I could be put in another event," said Renfro. "At indoor conference this year I was able to score in three events for the team and get personal bests in them as well!"
 
When she's not on the track, the elementary education major likes to keep herself busy. She is involved in the Teach First Program as well as serving as a Cardinal First Ambassador.
 
"I am a planner, so usually I always have an idea of how I am going to fit in my practice time, class, homework, and time to see my friends. I use a lot of post-it notes," joked Renfro.
 
Going into the outdoor season, her schedule is only going to get more packed. But luckily, Renfro has a strong support system from her coaches, teammates, and her biggest influences: her parents.
 
"They seem to be the perfect balance between having positive feedback with encouragement that I can do better," she said about her parents support. "They have shown me the positive side of my racing and taught me to push for more."
 
Renfro and her teammates are looking to push for further success in the outdoor season with the first meet on Apr. 2 at Wheaton College.