Augusta, Ga. - When Madison Thomas steps to the starting line in the Peach Belt Conference cross country championship on Saturday, it could be the final time she runs a race for Augusta University. AU was the only school the Evans High School graduate applied to and wanted to go to. She has only gotten better in each of her four years with the Jaguars.
 
Currently, she holds the fastest time in the conference and was sixth in the conference meet last year. Thomas has also been named the conference runner of the week on three occasions.
 
For her to win this year, it would be the icing on the cake. She wants to share the cake with her teammates.
 
"That would be the biggest accomplishment ever individually. I think it would make my mom even more proud than myself. She's so dedicated and involved in everything with running," said Thomas.
 
"I think it's going to be a great race. Our women's team is really strong, and we got second last year. I'm excited to see what we can do."  
This year Thomas said she's been more dedicated. Not only to reach new heights individually but make it a point to spend more time with her teammates and be more present with them. It's been a major theme for the team all season long.
 
This being potentially her last race is not lost on Thomas, and it's been on her mind.
 
"I have thought about it. Especially our last race when it was really my last chance to get a personal record in cross country, so I really tackled that and I got the PR which was great," said Thomas.
 
When she started running for Augusta, Adam Ward was the head coach, so she had to make the adjustment when Jacob Burgamy took over. But it was a smooth adjustment and Thomas added Burgamy makes everyone feel happy with the Jaguars.
 
Thomas has plenty of great memories running for Augusta. From her freshman year and a preseason event in Boone, North Carolina, to the difficult practices in the cold and rain, she's been through it all and still smiling.


 
She's a kinesiology major and will graduate in the summer. Her plans are to go into cardiac rehab. She loves running and loves a healthy heart. But first, trying to finish off the season on a high note at the PBC Championship in Milledgeville, Ga.
 
"It's a hard course," said Thomas. "We previewed it so I'm thankful for that. I'm going in with the mindset of tackling those hills and just doing it for servant leadership, which has been a big topic on our girls' team all year. Doing it for each other and for our team."
 
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