Madelyn Kitchen says that while she has had a lot of memorable moments playing soccer, she has one accomplishment that stands out as her favorite

“I would have to say the highlight moment of my career is being able to smash my record in goals each year,” she said. “And also breaking the scoring record for a season at Grove high school my freshman year and still holding that title and I plan to break the record for most goals.”

Madelyn is a junior at Grove High School, where she is a member of the Ridgerunner’s soccer team. And she has worked hard to be an impact player on the team and to continue playing after high school.

“It has taken long nights, tears, and fighting hard every day to be the best and to get where I am today. I had to have a lot of fight in me. But it has all worked out because I have verbally committed to play soccer at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.”

The work has been vital to her success, but Kitchen has had people that have been in her corner and been there for her along the way.

“My mom is my biggest role model because no matter what she always has my back and has been there for me and showed me the way,” she said. “Another important person in my life was my fifth-grade teacher, who has always been wise and helpful and helped me realize so much.”

The girls soccer coach at Grove, Walker Botts, says that Madelyn is an outstanding player and has been a big part of the team’s success.

“Madelyn has been a key cog in our attack for the past two years,” coach Botts said. “As a freshman, she broke the school record for goals with fifteen, only to break her own record as a sophomore with twenty-three. As a junior, Madelyn has verbally committed to NSU and is looking forward to a strong 2023 campaign.”