Madison Salmon

Year: Senior
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
Hometown: Endicott, NY
Highschool: Endicott High School

Q: What was the driving force for your decision to come to Wilkes?

A: I was really looking for a school that had a good science program and possibly play tennis. However, the main driving force was the ability to play tennis and have a demanding course load heading towards optometry. The flexibility and understanding of Coach Leicht and my professors allows me to be a successful student and a successful athlete.

Q: What are your hopes for the upcoming season?

A: We have an incredibly strong and deep team this year all the way from seniors to the freshmen class. I have high hopes for us going undefeated and making another NCAA national tournament appearance, as well as making it further than any other year in that tournament.

Q: When/Why did you first begin playing Tennis?

A: I started playing tennis when I was about 8 years old. Honestly, I hated it at first. I played soccer and ran track for an extended period of time but eventually returned to the tennis lessons my mom forced me to take and ended up falling in love with the sport playing competitively from high school onward.

Q: Do you have other sports/interest/ hobbies off of the field?

A: I ran track all four years as a sprinter in high school and still occasionally run for pleasure but honestly anything active or outdoors is right up my alley. From hiking to fishing to snowboarding I love to be active and outside.

Q: Who would you say is the most influential person in your life? Why?

A: I would have to say my older sister is the most influential person in my life. Through all the hardships and injuries, she has had and been through in her life she continues to be one of the most positive upbeat people I know. She is the kind of person that runs towards danger in every situation, without a single hesitation, hoping to help someone else. That is the kind of person I strive to be more like every day.

Q: A quote you live your life by?

A: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional” – Haruki Murakami

Q: What does “Be Colonel” mean to you?

A: “Be Colonel” to me means to accept others with open arms, work hard and never stop pushing towards what you want in life.