A year ago, Melissa Madeson could barely walk without a limp yet alone run three miles under 19 minutes.

Today, with the way this fifth year senior is leading her teammates on the cross country track, one would have trouble knowing that she had I-T Band Syndrome just last season. This is a condition that causes tendonitis in the side of the knee.

Madeson, who is currently studying kinesiology with the hopes of entering the field of sports psychology after college, has finished first among her teammates in every race she has run this season.

In the season opener, at the Hornet Harrier Classic, Madeson dominated the field, finishing first out of nearly 50 competitors.

A week later, she finished second at the San Francisco Invitational and led the women’s team to their first win of the season.

Madeson’s strong start to the season has catapulted her back to being one of the top runners for the Hornet women, a position she held prior to the injury. She attributes her new weight training regime and pre-season conditioning to her successes this season.

Madeson also feels that she could not have made it back for this season without the help of Sac State’s athletic trainer, Joe Ramos, who would come on his off day and help with her rehabilitation.

Madeson’s favorite part about being back on this year’s cross country team is the team itself.

“I love the early morning workout, the trips, the races, and my teammates,” she said. “I love everything about the cross country team.”

Her training routine consists of running 55-to-60 miles per week during the cross country season, and 70-to-80 miles per week in the pre-season.

The senior is a year-round runner and two-sport athlete at Sac State. In the spring, she competes in the long distance races for the women’s track team.

“My favorite event is the 5,000 meters (3.1 miles), but I am better at the 10,000 meters (6.2 miles),” Madeson said.

Hornet coach Joe Neff has been quite amazed by her off-season efforts to make such a comeback this season. With her hard work and dedication, he firmly believes that Madeson will have no problem accomplishing her season goals.

“Melissa is a leader and a real hard worker,” Neff said.

The team will compete in the Triton Invitational in San Diego this upcoming weekend, and once again, Madeson hopes to pace and lead the Hornet women.

She looks forward to running the diverse and fun San Diego course because it winds around the college and through the woods. The course should set the stage for a really exciting race for both teams.

After San Diego, the team returns to Sacramento for two weeks to get healthy and prepare for the Big Sky Conference Championship in Pocatello, Idaho. Madeson’s set goal for both races is to break the 18-minute mark.

And considering her remarkable comeback from injury over the past year, she definitely appears on-track to meet her goal.