Motivation Paces Nabadduka's Academic, Athletic Success

For most, the term "long-distance" running produces little more than a grimace. Running for fun just isn't a challenge that most are willing to take on.

The sheer solitude, coupled with the fortitude needed to complete a race, let alone remain competitive, tend to cause most to seek alternate extra-curricular endeavors. It takes a special type of person to put themselves through the daily rigors of long-distance running.

One must be able to set specific goals, persevere when obstacles arise, and do so without anyone there to lend a helping hand.

Windsor High's Medinah Nabaddukah is such a person.

"You have to wonder at times what you're doing out there [running]," said the late Steve Prefontaine, one of the few household names in the history of long-distance running.For Nabadduka, there are several reasons.

Yes, she does enjoy running. "Running can be relaxing," she says, noting that after a stressful day of school, it's a pleasure to take in the rolling hills and beautiful scenery a cross-country athlete encounters on a course. But the piece that keeps her going, the piece that drives her through the finish line, the piece that crosses over into her life away from cross-country courses is the challenge of running and her ability to rise to the occasion.

As a senior at Windsor High School, Nabadduka has seen ups and downs throughout her athletic career. There were times when injuries affected her ability to run as well as she had hoped, according to Christopher Rau, head cross country coach at Windsor High. But having achieved great success in her freshman year at the high school, qualifying for the State Open, she recognized the challenges that lay ahead and her own potential to achieve her goals.As is the mark with any good athlete, she didn't let her setbacks stop her in her tracks. 

"Through it all, she has never stopped working to achieve her best," says Rau."I have been continually impressed with her internal motivation. I wish I could take credit for her work ethic, but it has always been a part of her personality."

"I'm just a really motivated person," says Nabadduka. "Personal goals keep me motivated."

This season, her personal goals have kept her among the top individual performers in the state of Connecticut.

In state-wide competition at Wickham park on October 29, Nabadduka led the Warriors to a top-20 finish, placing eighth among individual runners with a time of 20:09.

Tues., Nov. 8, she ran a personal best of 19:21 in the State Open at Hammonasset, qualifying for the New England championships.

Her success on cross country courses has brought on new goals.

"I want to run in college, so, of course, that keeps me motivated too - knowing that I have to run well in order to run on the college level as well."

She won't push her love of running aside, but even without the sport, Nabadduka, who is currently looking at Northeastern, UConn and the University of Pittsburgh, will look good on any application, as she's an even better student than she is an athlete.

"Medinah is an example of how it's cool to be smart at Windsor High School," said Windsor High Principal Russell Sills when he introduced her as this semester's student representative to the board of education.

Nabadduka's placement on the board of education came as a surprise to her, but its an appointment she cherishes. "It's a great opportunity. I love Windsor High School, so why not go and update the town about what's going on at our school?" she says. She's also well-qualified to represent the Warriors at board meetings.

"She's a CAPT scholar, an AP student, an active volunteer and is considering becoming a doctor," Sills told the board. "I would be most delighted to have Medinah be a doctor for me or my children in the future because I know she'd be incredibly thoughtful, talented and caring."

Her work ethic is the reason she's achieved all that she has to date, so it's not to say that she relies on a great deal of support, but everyone around her is cheering in her corner, waiting to see what her future will hold.

"It's been a pleasure watching her grow up the last four years," says Rau. "I think this season has been one of her best… She worked very hard over the summer and has realized that distance running is most definitely a long-term commitment."