When you’re the leading scorer for varsity soccer as a freshman, you’re going to catch people’s attention. That’s just what freshman Bailey Hurst has done in the early stages of her first high school season. Hurst began playing soccer at the age of four and moved from Chicago to New Jersey when she was seven. She has played for several club teams but most notably, she belongs to the PDA club soccer team, known for their top notch college level athletes. Even though Hurst is a club member, the freshman says, “I’ve always been on teams with a grouping of random girls for club. This Madison team is made up of friends and basically my family so it’s a lot more personal this time.” Hurst aspires to continue her soccer career into college at the division I level and hopes to lead Madison to a state championship.
For sophomore lacrosse players AJ Schmitz and Vince Sapio, playing varsity lacrosse at the high school level began early last year with starting positions at attack in preseason scrimmages. The duo met and immediately became friends in 6th grade after Sapio moved from Florham Park to Madison. Since then, they have played on several teams together being key players for Madison Junior School, Dodger Pride, Building Blocks lacrosse, North Jersey All-Stars (U-15), Madison High School and most recently each trying out for the Garden State Challenge team. “It’s always been a part of my life and I wouldn’t know how to live without playing or doing something related to it” said Sapio, a reserved young leader.
Both Schmitz and Sapio are expected to start for varsity this upcoming season and plan to play college lacrosse. When asked about his feelings on being a Madison athlete Schmitz said, “ I have a lot of pride in being a dodger. There is a certain feeling of responsibility I get when I put on a maroon and gold jersey.”