Joyful. Positive. Hardworking. Tough as nails. Christ-like. Kind-hearted. Determined. Driven. Fast. Thoughtful. These are all facets of sophomore track star Madison Siebert. 

Siebert, ‘28, has loved sports, specifically running, for as long as she can remember. She played soccer at Fresno Christian School with her dad as the coach in elementary school, then transitioned into track and field at the first opportunity she could in third grade. The Track coach, James Garcia, recruited 8-year-old Siebert and three other girls for an elementary relay, and Siebert was hooked. 

In fourth grade, Siebert was homeschooled but was still a part of the cross-country team. She narrowly qualified for the finals at Woodward Park, placing 17th, the last place invited to compete. She gave it her all and kept her head up the entire way, placing 40th with the biggest smile. 

Though Siebert has broken many records, this did not come easily to her due to injuries and a COVID setback. Siebert broke her arm three times throughout elementary and middle school, resulting in surgery involving rods in her arms, causing her to be away from athletics. This was especially difficult for Siebert because sports were a huge part of her childhood. 

Fast forward to middle school, when she joined both the track and field and cross country teams. The overall level of talent and competition increased. Siebert had to keep up with the newfound pace and intensity of middle school track. She continues to improve her times and chase her goals.

“I went from eighth grade being the slowest runner on the girls’ team to now being the fastest [female] runner on the [high school] team,” Siebert said. 

Siebert’s achievements did not happen overnight. Head Coach Shawn Young began to share videos of an interesting meet, including the Arcadia Invitational and the Woodbridge run. She witnessed this higher level of competition and realized how much she wanted that for herself. She became substantially more disciplined and intentional after seeing that video. She got serious about training, including 5 a.m. summer runs and weight lifting.

Now as a sophomore, Siebert is not just surviving hard workouts; she is thriving in the sport and leading the team as the fastest long-distance runner for Fresno Christian.

With her strong work ethic and reliance on her faith, Siebert now reaps the benefits of her work. Her coach, Young, has been with Siebert every step of the way.

“Madison Siebert has blossomed as a runner this school year and is now considered one of the top distance runners in our League and Division,” Young said. “I was surprised by how much she improved from her Freshman year to her Sophomore year. After a decent Freshman Cross Country and Track season, she dedicated herself to summer training, which helped her become a stronger runner. Her passion and love for running motivate her to train consistently.” 

Her training includes a combination of long and short distance running programmed by her coach, as well as weight lifting in the Strength and Conditioning course offered at FC by Michael Fuller. These reps make her stronger in all aspects, including in physicality, mentally, and in her relationship with Christ.

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Joshua Siebert is beyond proud of his daughter, Madison Siebert, even from a very young age.

Through the trials and tribulations, she has become tougher overall. Siebert has stepped up into more of a leadership role on the track and field team due to the graduation of seniors and other key athletes leaving. She leads her peers with infectious joy and by example. 

For Siebert, running is fun. Running has taught her to look toward the light at the end of the tunnel, that there is always something awaiting her. That is her runner’s high. 

“It’s really exhilarating; I mean, at the start of the race, as soon as the gun goes off, you just feel the electricity,” Siebert said. “And then as you see the finish line…it’s time to go, and I really feel it.” 

Siebert feels closest to God when she runs. She experiences a sense of clarity, peace and gratitude when running outdoors in God’s creation. 

Jaci Siebert, Madison Siebert’s mother, is her number one fan. Jaci is at every meet and supports her daughter’s passionate love for running, along with many other family members. They even completed a half-marathon together at Disneyland. She is a witness to her success and to her fruitful relationship with God. Jaci teaches sixth grade at FC and has for many years. 

“Before races, it matters more to Madison to pray with her teammates and even her competitors than it does to win,” Jaci Siebert said. “That’s just who she is—her heart for others always comes first.” 

Coach Young has been crucial to Siebert’s improvements. According to Young, this race is when he recognized her massive progress. 

“I remember watching her race last fall, the Clovis Cross Country Invitational at Woodward Park, which draws teams from all over the state,” Young said. “Our team was competing in a small school division for the race. At the 2-mile mark of the 5K (3.1-mile) course, Madison came into view descending a hill and was leading the race. That was the moment I realized that Madison had raised her fitness level by multiple levels. It was a quantum leap in her progress as a runner.” 

Today, Siebert holds multiple school records, which speak of her success: 

Cross Country 5K – 18:42 School Record

Track 800 – 2:22.97 School Record

Track 1600 – 5:13.87 School Record

Track 3200 – 11:24.75 School Record

Track 4×800 Relay – 10:13.76 School Record (Esther Feistel, Chloe Ledieff, Sharlee Matthews, Madison Siebert)

Sarah Guglielmana, ‘26, has witnessed Siebert’s success and growth throughout their couple of years as teammates on the basketball court and the track. They have been part of the Track and Field and the girls’ basketball teams for two years. 

“Having Madison as a teammate has been an amazing experience,” Guglielmana said. “She always greets me with pure joy and has a genuine concern for how I’m doing. She is always positive and has a great attitude, no matter the circumstance.”

With her curly red hair and wide smile, Siebert is a testament to the value of hard work and perseverance. She has trained consistently in order to further her talents, not only for herself but for the good of her team as well. Through the highs and the lows, Siebert honors God in every aspect of her life.

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