Madison Granger Senior, Belchertown High School Some people in Eastern Mass called the girls mile an upset victory, but for the Western Mass Track and Field community this was not a surprise. Madison Granger has been a fan favorite for several years as she has racked up many Western Mass titles in both Track and Cross-Country. In the Mile at the All State Meet, the experienced Senior let Foxboro's Liz Holmes take off early in the race. Holmes at one point had around a 7 second lead, and Granger reeled her in with a 72 second last 400 Meters to win her first All State title. "People say a kick is an emotional thing,” said Granger, whose previous best was a five-minute flat mile. “You really have to dig down deep and use your heart.” Granger is just as impressive off the track, as she was the Belchertown High School valedictorian. Two days earlier she told her classmates "My hope for the class of 2012 is that we never lose the hunger for bigger and better things to come ... That we always strive for something more, that we do not walk up to the future and shake its hand, but that we run at it, with all our hearts, hold nothing back and never be afraid of making mistakes". Madison Granger will take her talents to Duke University this fall.
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