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Mitchell Runner Wagner Enjoying The Scenery

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By LARRY BUGG Tribune correspondent

Published: October 6, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - If Madeline Wagner's life were a mural, her time spent running high school cross country would probably appear as a peaceful pastoral scene.

The Mitchell senior runs on the girls cross country team, and she also is a painter.

Wagner finished fifth in 22:49 at the Mitchell Invitational on Sept. 29 at Starkey Park.

The Starkey Park course is a demanding one, with sugar sand and rough turf, but Wagner had a career-best finish there. Wagner said she stumbled several times because of the deep sand.

Wagner, who has a 4.2 cumulative grade-point average, has her sights set on studying art at Flagler College in St. Augustine. She said she might become an art teacher or run an art gallery some day.

The 5-foot-10 runner might seem like an odd sort for a cross country runner, but Coach Tim Masterson is happy to have her on the team.

Masterson paints a picture of a runner who does everything a coach can ask.

'She has improved every year,' Masterson said. 'She is the quintessential runner. She is a senior leader. She is a great athlete.

'She always works hard, always 100 percent. She is a great runner and a great student.'

For many runners, cross country is an endurance contest, sometimes run in 90-degree heat.

Wagner enjoys facing that sun and taking in the scenery.

'I love being in the outdoors, and it cross country is very competitive,' Wagner said. 'It's a very exciting sport.'

During the spring, Wagner runs the 1,600 meters, the 3,200 meters and occasionally the 800 meters in track and field.

Wagner finds a lot of positives in cross country.

'It is really rewarding,' she said of the sport. 'It is something you do by yourself. There aren't a lot of spectators. It's very individual-oriented, but you still get to be on the team.'

She said she has even painted some cross country scenes.

A native of Louisville, Ky., she said she has painted horses while recalling her days in the Bluegrass State. Her family moved to Gainesville when she was 3, and they later moved to New Port Richey. She was in third grade when the family settled in west Pasco County.

Wagner said she doesn't get to enjoy the scenery when she is racing, but she can appreciate the local beauty while she is training.

In her final season of cross country, Wagner said both Masterson and boys coach Jeff Leavey have helped her develop as a runner.

'I think they both work on the same page,' Wagner said. 'Leavey is very encouraging, and so is Masterson. I can always turn to them and talk to them.'

Wagner is one of those outstanding students who may be able to use the discipline of cross country to help her become successful.

And perhaps one day Wagner will make cross country scenes a hot commodity on the art scene.

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