Madison Granger of Belchertown runs to glory after health issue resolved
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Madison Granger met with a pulmonary cardiologist in February, hoping to find an answer to what was ailing her.
Near the end of the 2010 Pioneer Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference cross country championship, the then Belchertown junior collapsed and was taken to the hospital.
The following week at the Western Massachusetts Division 1 meet, she had a poor finish and collapsed again, only this time after she crossed the finish line.
Things were going well at the state meet that year as she was in 12th with a half mile to go. She finished 59th.
"It was a very frustrating race for me and I definitely struggled with that," Granger said of the state meet. "It was really frustrating last season to have trained so hard and know that I was physically capable but at the same time I wasn't at those big races."
Her health problems were originally thought to have been linked with her dopamine deficiency. Medication was changed or altered, but the results stayed the same.
In February, the cardiologist figured out what was bothering her - asthma.
"It was an answer to what was happening and it's easier to deal with, treatable and common," Granger said. "I was relieved."
The results showed this season as Granger was named the Daily Hampshire Gazette Player of the Year for girls cross country.
"It made a difference," she said. "When I was on, I felt great. There were a couple times - the Amherst Invitational wasn't great for me and obviously western Mass. - but when I was on I felt very strong."
Granger had a tremendous regular season, going undefeated for the Orioles. During the first championship race, the PVIAC meet at Stanley Park in Westfield, site of last season's collapse, Granger finished second in 18 minutes, 16.02 seconds. Camille Blackman of Longmeadow was first in 18:02.85.
By most standards, her finish at western Mass. would be highly respectful. But for a competitive individual who had her sight set on contending, it was a disappointment.
Granger finished third in 20:39.14 at Northfield Mountain. Blackman won in 19:20.15. Audrey Gould of Amherst Regional was second in 19:55.01.
"Western Mass. was probably, I don't want to say low points to the season, but it was discouraging to have a bad race and it be my senior year," Granger said. "Western Mass. is not as big as the state meet but it means a lot to compete in your sectional meet and do well. It was very discouraging that I didn't have a strong race that day."
Granger turned things around in a big way at the state meet at Franklin Park. She finished fourth in 18:55 to cap her cross country season.
"I surprised myself with how well I did at states," she said. "To be fourth at states, I was very happy with that."
Granger is headed to Duke University in Durham, N.C., where she will compete in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. The future English major was looking for a program that was above her level athletically.
Duke placed fifth in the NCAA Southeast Regional.
"I want to be pushed. I want to be the slowest on the team as a freshmen so I can work my way up and be challenged," she said. "I'm thrilled that I was able to find my match in a program like Duke where I'm definitely going to be challenged and definitely going to be pushed for four years."
Mike Moran can be reached at mmoran@gazettenet.com.
