Will Carleton senior's return to track team pays off with SCAA title

HILLSDALE — Will Carleton Academy senior Madison Recob did not expect to return to track and field this spring. After stepping away from the sport following her freshman season, Recob instead built her athletic career around volleyball and basketball, becoming an all-league contributor for the Cougars in both sports.

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But a return to the throwing ring alongside friends and teammates helped bring Recob back for one final season.

“I guess I just didn’t really like the sport that much, but my friends convinced me this year to do it with them, and I wanted to hang out with them more,” Recob said.

The decision has already paid off. Recob won the SCAA championship in girls shot put this season and has re-established herself as one of the county’s top throwers. Her season-best throw of 33 feet, 3 inches bested the personal record she originally set as a freshman during the 2023 season, when she qualified for the MHSAA Division 4 state finals. The championship capped off a run of four straight wins in conference play. The senior has yet to finish below second place in a shot-put event this season.

Now, entering the postseason weeks of her senior year, Recob is aiming to return to the state meet one more time before concluding her athletic career at Will Carleton.

“That was my furthest career, and I got it this year,” Recob said of matching her freshman personal best.

Recob’s return was not immediate or easy. After multiple years away from competitive throwing, she said rebuilding her technique became the biggest challenge early in the season.

“Probably getting the technique down again,” Recob said. “The beginning of the season, I definitely didn’t start where I left off my freshman year, so I had to rebuild to get where I am.”

Her improvement throughout the spring has steadily shown in the results.

Recob currently ranks among the top Division 4 throwers in Region 35 and also sits atop the girls shot put standings heading into the Hillsdale Area Best Meet scheduled for May 26. Her consistency helped anchor Will Carleton’s throwing events throughout the conference season, while her experience as a multi-sport senior leader carried over into the track program.

The Cougars will next compete at the MHSAA Division 4 Region 35 finals Friday at Hayden Park in Hillsdale, hosted by Hillsdale Academy. A top regional finish would give Recob an opportunity to return to the state finals for the first time since her freshman season.

For Recob, though, the return to track and field became about more than just results.

“Probably just the team culture and all my teammates,” Recob said when asked what she will miss most about high school sports.

She added that returning for her senior season was “worth it,” and encouraged other students to give the sport a chance.

“I think it’s really fun, especially if you’re doing it with your friends,” Recob said.

After graduating May 31, Recob plans to attend Hillsdale Beauty College before pursuing work in a salon.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Madison Recob won a league shot put title in senior comeback season