Last June, Lebanon High made it all the way to the Ohio Div. I state championship game and lost a heart-breaker in eight innings 1-0 to Teays Valley—the first loss of the year for the Warriors which finished 33-1.

But the team has plenty of talent coming back including one of the top prospects in the Buckeye State, Madison Hartman, who is getting SEC attention and has many more D1 schools after her.

We caught up with the standout sophomore to talk about her club play and how she shines in another sport as well…

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Name: MADISON HARTMAN
Grad Year: 2018
Pos: shortstop/utility
High School: Lebanon High School (Ohio)
GPA: 3.9
Club: Ohio Hawks Gold-Hutchinson
Achievements: Started at shortstop on varsity since being a freshman, team went all the way to Ohio State Finals
Honors: Named 1st team All-Conference as a freshman
Height: 5-foot-10

It's amazing that dedicated players like you will travel 300 miles to play for a club team like the Hawks Gold-Hutchinson team. Describe how that works, how often do you make the trip, where do you stay and what do you do during those long rides to keep from going crazy?
Over the past year, traveling to play has been super crazy. We made trips to Colorado, Oregon, and Florida! Our team stays in the same hotel, eats breakfast together every morning, and usually we have a team dinner after playing games at least once during the trip. When we're traveling, I always bring my homework to do in the car or on the plane. After that I usually listen to some music, relax, and maybe fall asleep.

You’re a huge threat as a shortstop and power hitter on the fields as well as a guard in basketball. Being a multi-sport athlete, have you considered playing basketball in college or are you softball all the way?
Softball is definitely my main focus. I have never really considered playing basketball at the collegiate level. I play basketball to have fun with some of my best friends, to continue to get stronger, and faster for softball. It's hard to beat the speed and agility work that comes from playing basketball. I am softball all the way.

Talk about basketball… what would you say the main difference between it and softball is—is it conditioning (the running), mentally different, different physical skills needed (explosive quickness, starting and stopping), etc.?
Basketball definitely requires a lot of conditioning and endurance, whereas softball relies heavily on technique and quick bursts of energy. One huge similarity between basketball and softball is the mental toughness needed to be successful. You have to have that short term memory after making a mistake, as well as the confidence to believe in yourself to execute in big games at the right moments.

Do you remember a moment in your softball career when you thought, “I love this sport and I want to take it as far as I can?” And when you knew you could?
Ever since I can remember, I've always loved the game of softball. After going to my very first college camp, I realized that I wanted to play softball for as long as I could, and that I was capable of doing it. I knew that if I wanted it with all my heart, it was a goal that I could meet with hard work and belief in myself.

Describe your emotions when you got your very first D1 offer. What was going through your head?
It was extremely exciting getting my first offer! Nothing beats the feeling of getting an amazing offer from a great school. I will never forget that moment; knowing that I have finally achieved my goal that I've had since I was a little girl. I can honestly say that it was one of the best moments of my life.

Photo: Varsity Views

QUICK HITTERS

Fill in the blank… My favorite part of being an athlete is: ___________________
Playing hard and doing whatever it takes to win.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Hard work ALWAYS pays off.

Favorite place to buy clothes:
Rose and Remington

What’s the next thing you’re going to buy that you absolutely don’t need?
Sperry boots.

What’s something unusual or different about you that few know?
I write left-handed but do everything else right-handed.

Favorite actor/actress:
Melissa McCarthy!

Do you have any softball superstitions or rituals?
My favorite thing to do before a game is juggle softballs with my teammates!

Favorite ice cream?
Cookie dough.

If you could have a super power, what would you want it to be?
Flying.

Best movie ever:
Any Disney movie!

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
My grandpa.

Nickname(s):
“Hart”

What’s one thing you won’t be caught dead doing?
Holding a snake.

What is your hometown/high school best known for and what makes you proud to say you’re from there?
My high school is known for our softball team. We have been undefeated in the regular season four years in a row & have competed for the state title 3 times in the last 5 years. I am very proud to say that I'm a Lebanon softball player!