Madison Glienke '22 Recruiting Profile

My name is Madison Glienke.  Originally from a small town in Minnesota, at age 10, my parents decided my brothers and I needed more opportunities to be challenged in both academics and sports.  They decided that moving to a larger school district allowed for more opportunities.  My dad moved in Fargo in the fall of 2013.  My mom stayed back to sell the house and let us finish-up the school year. On the morning of my 10th birthday, we loaded up the semi and headed out.  While I didn't realize it at the time, my parents had done something so powerful; to allow me a chance to do more.  

In the fall of 2014, I started in the West Fargo school system as a 5th grader.  It was then, that I found more opportunities than I had imagined.  No longer was there just swimming lessons - there was a swim team.  There wasn't just summer rec softball - there was actually a 12u league.  My parents agreed to allowing me to join everything I could- temporarily.  Realizing I couldn't do it all, my parents  suggested I start limiting my choices to those I was most passionate about.  My parents were letting me choose - and I was choosing softball.

Since then, softball has taken me places! Softball is not just a sport to me - it is so much more.  Softball has shown me that I can push myself farther than I thought possible.  It has taught me mental toughness as well as physical toughness.  It has taught me to dig even deeper when things are stacked against me.  But, it has also taught me that the game isn't over just because you are behind.  

I thrive on team-sports.  I like to provide support to others when they need it most.  It has also taught me to rely on them too.  In addition to teaching me to push myself, it also has taught me to lean on my teammates.  

It is my hope that I can continue to play softball for many years to come; ultimately I would like to have the opportunity to play at the college level.  When pursuing colleges, I am pretty wide-open. Although I would prefer to stay in the Midwest, I am not committed to that. I am interested in pursuing a degree in either Nursing or Education.  Therefore, a college that has classes in the medical field as well as elementary education is a must!