Oct. 21, 2015
Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide. To receive daily news from the Iowa Hawkeyes, sign up HERE.
By CHRIS BREWER
www.hawkeyesports.com
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Madison Waymire saw something at the University of Iowa that made her feel she could do better, more specifically, 74 seconds better.
A native of Grimes, Iowa, Waymire took her 2011 cross country state championship with her when she graduated from Dallas Center-Grimes High School and enrolled at Missouri in 2014. She competed in five cross country meets for the Tigers, most recently at the Bradley Pink Classic on Oct. 17, 2014.
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In her final race with the Tigers, Waymire finished 53rd overall, completing the 6,000-meter race in 22:22.
Three-hundred and sixty-five days later she was running the same race, this time for the Hawkeyes.
“I decided to transfer because I felt like coach (Layne) Anderson was a good coach that really knew what he was doing,” Waymire said. “I thought we could work well together.”
And she was right. At the 2015 Bradley Pink Classic, and on the same course she ran her final race for Missouri, Waymire trimmed 74 seconds, finishing 17th overall in 21:08, a new personal best.
“It’s a credit to Madison,” said Anderson. “She decided she wanted to come home and she has been committed to the team from day one.”
She has also been the Hawkeyes’ front-runner since day one. Waymire made her Iowa debut Sept. 5 at the Early Bird Invitational and placed fifth overall, first among Hawkeyes. All told, she has competed in four races — leading the team each time.
“It has been fun being able to help the team and girls,” Waymire said. “I knew coming in I’d be able to contribute, but I didn’t know where I would fall in the lineup. We’re a young team, so it’s kind of exciting to be a part of this and see where everything will go.”
It has been eight years since any Hawkeye led the team in five consecutive races. Rachel Marchand last did it in 2008 when she ran the table and was Iowa’s top finisher in all six races she competed.
Waymire can match that feat Nov. 1 at the Big Ten Championships, and if she does, she will undoubtedly give credit to her teammates and new environment.
“I think how you perform relates to how healthy you are and how comfortable you are, because a lot of running is mental,” she said. “Just being a part of such a positive atmosphere has me think that no matter what happens, even if it’s not my best day, the team and coach Anderson will be behind me no matter what. I think that’s a very important thing and it has helped push me forward.”
Waymire’s father, Pat, ran track for the Hawkeyes and lettered in 1991. That may have been 24 years ago, but it helps Madison feel at home.
“I’m always impressed with the family atmosphere at Iowa,” she said. “Everyone is welcoming, and it reinforces my decision. It has been easy.”
