Senior Spotlight: Basketball beckons as Choinski caps off career

After three years of constant practice and the accompanying shin splints, senior Madalyn Choinski feels bittersweet about it all coming to an end this year. Competing in volleyball, basketball, and soccer, Choinski has made a splash in the athletic world while balancing the demands of school. As she transitions from volleyball to basketball, she hopes to make her last ride a memorable one. 

“I don't really care about wins and losses at this point,” she said. “I want to have fun with everyone this year.”

Choinski has gained an unprecedented amount of benefits from being a three-sport athlete. She credits her involvement in sports for the many life skills she has learned and believes the same lessons will help her as she begins a new chapter in her life. 

“Sports have been really beneficial for my life,” she said. “I stayed in shape year-round, and I met a bunch of new friends. Sports have created families for me and support systems I didn't know I could have.”

Choinski has not only gained friends, but also close relationships with her coaches that have enabled her to improve during the season and the off-season. 

“My coaches have helped me the most,” she said. “They’ve always been there to help me with school-related things like homework. They help me with more than just the sport itself.” 

Jim Yungwirth has been Choinski’s soccer coach since she was 11. Yungwirth trusts the senior to lead the team and knows that she can bring an uplifting atmosphere to every practice and game.

“Maddi is a team captain for our soccer program,” he said. “She definitely leads by example and puts the same expectations on her teammates as she sets for herself. She also cares for her teammates and wants them to succeed.”

Something that helps Choinski succeed is a healthy balance between sports and school. The demands of both can be relentless, but she always remembers to have her priorities straight.

“I do whatever is a priority in school first before things that are due later,” she said. “I procrastinate a little bit, but I make sure I get it done at least on time.”

Choinski has to have great time management skills to make sure everything is done on time. 

“I have learned a lot about time management,” she said. “I've played multiple sports within each season, so you have to manage your time well and find a way to have a life.”

Yungwirth has witnessed Choinski’s busy lifestyle. 

“I remember her coming to our under-11 soccer practice in her basketball uniform as she had just played a game,” he said. “Now I enjoy watching her on the volleyball and basketball court during those high school seasons. She works just as hard in those sports as she does in soccer.”

Showing up to every practice and pushing through hard times reflect Choinski’s work ethic. These last couple of seasons will be the last for her as she will not be continuing with sports in college.

“I'm going to UWO for college, and I'm not sure what I'm going for yet,” she said. “I don’t think I'm going to play sports in college because that's a bigger commitment than a high school sport, and I don't have time for that.”

Basketball season has started and will be taking up all of Choinski’s time. Coach Kenisha Phillips plans to lean on her to guide the underclassmen. 

“She’s someone that's been on varsity for a few more years than the other girls that are on the team this year,” she said. “We will definitely look at her for leadership even with her being out right now due to a concussion.”

The concussion is an unfortunate surprise for Choinski this final year, however, she is dedicated to making sitting on the sidelines a learning experience.

“Even though she’s out right now, she's still at practice every day talking with her teammates and making sure they know the plays,” Phillips said. “It shows that she's stepping up as a leader this year and can bring that game experience that other girls might lack.”

As for experience, Choinski has been playing long enough to develop little pre-game rituals to help her perform.

“I get a sub before games,” she said. “But the place changes every time because I never want the same thing.”

This ideology remains the same throughout her sports. Every sport she plays is different from one another and provides her with different benefits. 

“The teams are always different and how your body moves in each sport,” she said. “Some are more of a contact sport than others and some take more of a toll on your body. In volleyball, I don't run as much but in basketball and soccer I'm always running.”

Volleyball has engendered one of Choinski’s favorite memories and not because she finds herself running less. 

“My favorite memory is probably going to be in volleyball when Emily Blaskowski thought a ball was going out and then it hit her in the head,” she said. “She fell down so that's got to be my favorite memory of all time.”

Even though volleyball has created one of the most special memories for Choinski, it isn't her favorite sport of all time. 

“My favorite sport would have to be soccer,” she said. “I have the most fun playing that sport.”

Above everything, self-discipline and perseverance has contributed the most to her development as a year-round athlete. 

“Putting in hard work every day and showing up is important,” she said. “Not giving up anything at all has really helped.”

By Sophie Carlin

November 28, 2022

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue III