By james art Palm Springs tennis player Madison Barrick is this week’s Student-Athlete of the Week.
“She’s resilient. She doesn’t give up. She plays hard until the game is over,” head coach Sergio Rodriguez said.
These are the three qualities that define Madison Barrick, but her drive to be the best comes from the people closest to her.
“Well, most of the time I get really, really nervous,” Barrick said. “So I try to calm down, maybe listen to some music before and really just try to think about everybody that’s helped me achieve, like how far I’ve come, like my parents and my coaches, and I just really consider playing for them.”
As great as she is on the court, Barrick also puts in the same amount of effort to be a successful student.
“I’m a very competitive person,” Barrick said. “So whether it’s on the court or in the classroom, I always give it my all and help lift the spirits of others.”
Being the captain of the Indians, her presence is felt by the rest of the team, both as a teammate and as a friend.
“The way she plays and the way she is, she’s super, super friendly and very cheerful,” senior Isabelle Sesma said. “She gets my energy up and that’s why I’m just really close friends with her.”
As she plans to continue playing tennis at the next level, her coaches are grateful that she is determined to be a great student-athlete.
“I would say her skills,” head coach Rodriguez said. “She’s a great athlete. You know, tennis is a tough sport. Underrated in many ways in my opinion. She plays it, and she plays it well, and on top of that, she’s a great student here at Palm Springs High.”
We are always looking for Student Athlete of the Week nominations. If you know a senior who should be featured next, be sure to contact the KESQ Sports Department.
The Student Athlete of the Week segment airs every Tuesday.