TicketsCincinnati Athletics features more than 400 student-athletes who are doing incredible things on and off the field. Some will go pro in sports. Some will go on to do great things in business, medicine or other professional fields. All will be Bearcats for Life. These are their stories.
Cincinnati cross country and track and field senior distance runner Maddie Walker goes beyond what it means to a student-athlete. She spends her days working 8-4 at Mercy Clermont Hospital as part of Cincinnati's co-op program and yet, still finds time to train and be a leader for the women's cross country team.
Walker had a fantastic start to her senior season, placing inside the top 15 in both meets this year. She recorded a second-place finish at the RedHawk Rumble 5K (Sept. 3) and placed 12th out of 217 athletes at the Spartan Invite 6K (Sept. 16).
Learn more about Walker below!
How did you get involved with interning at a hospital, and explain what it is like working there?
"The amazing thing about UC is its excellent co-op programs that get students working in the field as part of their curriculum. My program works with health care providers to get students working with professionals in their field of practice. I am currently working in a hospital, consulting patients, calculating tube feeds, assessing for signs of malnutrition, and providing nutrition intervention and education to patients."
How do you manage time at the hospital and running for UC?
"Managing time between the hospital and running for UC has been challenging. Running 65 miles and working 40 hours a week is not easy! It has been a group effort by my coach and I to make sure I can do it all while staying healthy and having fun! I work 8-4 and then meet my coach at a park on workout days. I get a lot of one-on-one practice time with Coach Anderson and I'm thankful for her presence."
You recently competed at the Spartan Invite can you talk about that experience of running in such a big meet?
"Running in a big race like the Spartan Invite is always exciting. It's both humbling and invigorating toeing the line with such talented athletes. The bigger and more competitive the race, the more fun it is! You are never alone in races like the Spartan Invite, and you're always pushed to perform your best that day."
What is your favorite time of day to run?
"My favorite time of the day to run is around sunset. It's always the prettiest time of the day and in the summer, it is slightly cooler, and during winter it's the warmest time of day!"
The 2022 season kicked off at the RedHawk Rumble; how did it feel opening up the season on with a second-place finish?
"Finishing second at the RedHawk Rumble was a big relief. We had a big coaching change this summer and were mainly on our own for the training period. It was a relief finishing the first race of the season strong after a summer of hands-off coaching. It solidified some confidence in myself and a relief that I trained right!"
Why did you choose UC?
"Surprisingly, as a Cincinnati local, I had never stepped on campus before my first visit. I loved every part of the campus, team, and culture of UC. Academically, UC has a phenomenal dietetics program that I could not turn down. Athletically, my future coach and teammates were amazing and showed me what it would be like to become a Bearcat. I love the campus, the people and the environment. It just so happened to be a bonus that I get to represent my home city."
What are your goals for this season?
"This cross country season, the women's team wants to leave the AAC with a championship title! We have become a huge competitor in the AAC since the Bearcats first joined, and we want to take home the first and last championship title for the Bearcats in the AAC. Personally, I have my eyes set on the individual championship title and being a serious contender for the NCAA Championships."
What are your career goals?
"My career goals have changed over the years, but the desire to make it to the NCAA Championships is still a goal I strive for every day! Academically I aspire to graduate and get my registered dietitian's license!"
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"I majored in nutrition and dietetics. I was drawn to this program coming from an extremely athletic family that fueled our bodies to be the best at our sports. I ended up loving the science behind fueling our bodies."
How did you start running cross country?
"Funny story. Running cross country was an accident. My two best friends in middle school joined and I came along to a practice to hang out. I ended up deciding to run at that practice and ended up running with the boys. I found out I was kind of good and decided to join."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is not an individual but three. My older brothers all played college soccer and two played professionally. They have taught me life lessons in sport and life. I aspire to be like them every day."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
"If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be Tom Hanks. He played in my favorite moving growing up "Forrest Gump" (ironic I know). His movies were a huge part of my childhood, and it would be cool to meet the man behind these iconic characters."
Who is your favorite distance runner?
"My favorite distance runner? That's a big question. My favorite professional runner is former teammate Ellie Leather. I couldn't make it without her, and I'll be her biggest fan always!"
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby is reading. If I'm not running or working, you can find me somewhere nose deep in a book."
What makes UC great?
"UC is great because of its diversity. Everybody has a story, and it's remarkable to be in an atmosphere where we all share and have fun."
Who is your favorite artist and why?
"I'm a big Taylor swift fan. I grew up listening to her music and her music has changed with every new stage of my life as well. Secretly love it."
Who is the funniest on the team?
I think Carmen Licht is hilarious. One-liner queen."
Who is the fastest on the team?
"I would say, everyone. Everyone could beat someone else in a different event but lose in another. It's what makes running fun."
Cincinnati cross country and track and field senior distance runner Maddie Walker goes beyond what it means to a student-athlete. She spends her days working 8-4 at Mercy Clermont Hospital as part of Cincinnati's co-op program and yet, still finds time to train and be a leader for the women's cross country team.
Walker had a fantastic start to her senior season, placing inside the top 15 in both meets this year. She recorded a second-place finish at the RedHawk Rumble 5K (Sept. 3) and placed 12th out of 217 athletes at the Spartan Invite 6K (Sept. 16).
Learn more about Walker below!
How did you get involved with interning at a hospital, and explain what it is like working there?
"The amazing thing about UC is its excellent co-op programs that get students working in the field as part of their curriculum. My program works with health care providers to get students working with professionals in their field of practice. I am currently working in a hospital, consulting patients, calculating tube feeds, assessing for signs of malnutrition, and providing nutrition intervention and education to patients."
How do you manage time at the hospital and running for UC?
"Managing time between the hospital and running for UC has been challenging. Running 65 miles and working 40 hours a week is not easy! It has been a group effort by my coach and I to make sure I can do it all while staying healthy and having fun! I work 8-4 and then meet my coach at a park on workout days. I get a lot of one-on-one practice time with Coach Anderson and I'm thankful for her presence."
You recently competed at the Spartan Invite can you talk about that experience of running in such a big meet?
"Running in a big race like the Spartan Invite is always exciting. It's both humbling and invigorating toeing the line with such talented athletes. The bigger and more competitive the race, the more fun it is! You are never alone in races like the Spartan Invite, and you're always pushed to perform your best that day."
What is your favorite time of day to run?
"My favorite time of the day to run is around sunset. It's always the prettiest time of the day and in the summer, it is slightly cooler, and during winter it's the warmest time of day!"
The 2022 season kicked off at the RedHawk Rumble; how did it feel opening up the season on with a second-place finish?
"Finishing second at the RedHawk Rumble was a big relief. We had a big coaching change this summer and were mainly on our own for the training period. It was a relief finishing the first race of the season strong after a summer of hands-off coaching. It solidified some confidence in myself and a relief that I trained right!"
Why did you choose UC?
"Surprisingly, as a Cincinnati local, I had never stepped on campus before my first visit. I loved every part of the campus, team, and culture of UC. Academically, UC has a phenomenal dietetics program that I could not turn down. Athletically, my future coach and teammates were amazing and showed me what it would be like to become a Bearcat. I love the campus, the people and the environment. It just so happened to be a bonus that I get to represent my home city."
What are your goals for this season?
"This cross country season, the women's team wants to leave the AAC with a championship title! We have become a huge competitor in the AAC since the Bearcats first joined, and we want to take home the first and last championship title for the Bearcats in the AAC. Personally, I have my eyes set on the individual championship title and being a serious contender for the NCAA Championships."
What are your career goals?
"My career goals have changed over the years, but the desire to make it to the NCAA Championships is still a goal I strive for every day! Academically I aspire to graduate and get my registered dietitian's license!"
What's your major and why did you pick it?
"I majored in nutrition and dietetics. I was drawn to this program coming from an extremely athletic family that fueled our bodies to be the best at our sports. I ended up loving the science behind fueling our bodies."
How did you start running cross country?
"Funny story. Running cross country was an accident. My two best friends in middle school joined and I came along to a practice to hang out. I ended up deciding to run at that practice and ended up running with the boys. I found out I was kind of good and decided to join."
Who is your role model?
"My role model is not an individual but three. My older brothers all played college soccer and two played professionally. They have taught me life lessons in sport and life. I aspire to be like them every day."
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
"If I could have dinner with anyone in the world, it would be Tom Hanks. He played in my favorite moving growing up "Forrest Gump" (ironic I know). His movies were a huge part of my childhood, and it would be cool to meet the man behind these iconic characters."
Who is your favorite distance runner?
"My favorite distance runner? That's a big question. My favorite professional runner is former teammate Ellie Leather. I couldn't make it without her, and I'll be her biggest fan always!"
What's your favorite hobby?
"My favorite hobby is reading. If I'm not running or working, you can find me somewhere nose deep in a book."
What makes UC great?
"UC is great because of its diversity. Everybody has a story, and it's remarkable to be in an atmosphere where we all share and have fun."
Who is your favorite artist and why?
"I'm a big Taylor swift fan. I grew up listening to her music and her music has changed with every new stage of my life as well. Secretly love it."
Who is the funniest on the team?
I think Carmen Licht is hilarious. One-liner queen."
Who is the fastest on the team?
"I would say, everyone. Everyone could beat someone else in a different event but lose in another. It's what makes running fun."