VYPE Athlete Spotlight: Madelyn Bridge – Chandler High School
By Olivia Jones
For Madelyn Bridge, running isn’t just a sport; it’s a lifestyle built on discipline, resilience, and community. A junior at Chandler High School, Madelyn competes in cross country and track, and her dedication is evident in every mile she runs. Whether she’s racing the 2-mile in cross country or competing in the 4x800m relay, 1-mile, and 2-mile in track, Madelyn brings heart and focus to every stride.
“My family and teammates are my biggest motivation,” Madelyn shared. “My family has always supported me, and my teammates push me to be my best. We’re competitive, but we’re always supportive of each other.”
Madelyn looks up to her mom as her greatest role model. “She’s the most hardworking and persistent person I know,” she said. “She’s gone after everything she wants in life, and I hope to be that successful someday.”
A major influence on her school experience has been Coach Blankenship, her 7th through 9th grade math teacher. “Coming back to school after COVID made me anxious, but Coach B helped me come out of my shell. He listened and made me feel like I belonged.”
Madelyn says the key to success in running is mental strength and discipline. “It’s hard if you don’t have the motivation to keep going—especially when it hurts.” Still, her passion is undeniable. One of her proudest experiences has been running alongside her best friend Kaylee Choate for the past four years.
In practice, she’s pushed by teammate Cooper Snovel, who she describes as “like another coach.” She also gives a shoutout to Lexi Martzal, who stepped up from team manager to runner so the team could qualify for state. “She didn’t believe in herself, but we did—and she made it.”
Madelyn stays busy with National Honor Society, Student Council, Positive Peers, PSI, FCA, FFA, and her church youth group, and was also sophomore class president. Balancing it all takes time and commitment. “If you care about what you’re involved in, you’ll make it work.”
Representing Chandler is a privilege for Madelyn. “Our community is so supportive, and I love being a role model for the younger runners.”
Her favorite pre-meet ritual? Eating mini chocolate donuts on the bus, continuing her coach’s good-luck tradition. Her dream school is at the University of Oregon, and her favorite NFL player is Travis Kelce. If she weren’t running, she says, “I’d play tennis.” Miss Madelyn Bridge is an exceptional representation of hard work, dedication, and Chandler High School.
