“Every time I race, I wear a necklace with three little hearts on it,” said NMU cross country runner Madi Szymanski. “One for me, one for my sister Izzy and one for Ryan, who’s always with us.”

For Szymanski, running has never been just about medals or times. It’s about something deeper— family, resilience and heart. 

After missing all of last season due to injury, Szymanski’s comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. She’s been named GLIAC Runner of the Week twice in a row, leading Northern Michigan to some of its strongest team finishes in recent memory. At the Roy Griak Invitational, she placed fifth out of more than 250 runners, helping NMU to its best team finish at the meet since 2016. Just a week later, she added another top-10 finish at the Lucian Rosa Invite, clocking a season-best 21:37.1 and helping NMU top several nationally ranked teams. 

“It’s been really exciting to get those honors,” she said. “I wasn’t necessarily expecting it either time. I feel proud that my hard work is being recognized and that our team is being celebrated. But mostly, I just feel grateful to be back doing what I love the most, surrounded by my people.” 

Those people, she said, are everything.

“I’m so grateful for everyone who supported me over the last year and carried me through some dark days,” she said. “My parents and grandparents drive over 12 hours every weekend just to watch me run. My little sister always calls me after her races to ask how mine went. I could not do this without them.” 

Szymanski’s story of perseverance began long before she was crushing collegiate races. In July 2023, she suffered a major injury that required surgery in December. What followed was a grueling recovery process that tested her physically and emotionally. 

“When I finally got cleared, it had been five and a half months since I last ran,” she said. “I had to start from what felt like nothing—literally running for one minute a day and building up from there.” 

The time away from competition forced her to rethink her identity.

“I learned that I’m so much more than just a runner,” she said. “I put so much of myself into running because I love it, but I was forced to step back and find who I was outside of the sport. I found new hobbies, leaned into other passions, and realized there’s a lot more to life than athletics.” 

Throughout it all, she leaned heavily on her community.

“My parents and sister called me every day,” she said. “My boyfriend did the entire return-to-running program with me so I was never alone, he never let me forget that I was strong and had a reason to keep going. And one of my professors really helped me through that time. She showed me that there was light, even when things felt dark.” 

That sense of perspective has deep roots in her family. Madi is the oldest of three sisters. Her middle sister, Ryan, passed away at just 27 days old due to congenital heart defects (CHD), a condition Madi and her younger sister Izzy also share. 

“My sisters are my inspiration for everything I do,” Szymanski said. “Ryan’s life was short, but she fought hard. She was absolutely a heart warrior, and Izzy and I are too. The loss of my sister changed my life. I think I love harder, cherish moments more, and lean on my family when things get tough. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of her.” 

Ryan’s memory continues to guide her, both as a runner and as a future nurse.

“She’s the reason I’m becoming a nurse and the reason I’ll always find a way to keep going,” she said. “My greatest hope in life is that I’ve made her proud.” 

Her connection to Ryan is visible in every race.

“When things start to hurt, I remind myself that she never got the chance to run,” she said. “Every day I wear bracelets that say Heart Warrior and one with the CHD awareness ribbon. When I race, I wear that necklace with three hearts, one for each of us, and Ryan’s initials are written on my spikes. I’ll always run for her.” 

Now healthy again, Szymanski’s goals for the season are ambitious but grounded in gratitude.

“After missing all of last year, I knew it would be hard to come back,” she said. “But I needed to prove to myself that I could do it. I want to lead our team to nationals and become an All-American. I know what it takes, and I know how to handle the pressure. I just want to help my teammates get there with me.” 

Her leadership extends far beyond the course.

“I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard and made everyone feel like their dreams could be their reality,” she said. “My teammates are some of my best friends, and I hope they know I’ve always believed in them.” 

For anyone facing their own uphill battle, whether it’s injury, grief, or self-doubt, Szymanski’s message is simple: “Hold on,” she said. “Hold onto hope, hold onto your dreams, and hold onto your people. It might feel impossible, but it can be done. Remember your why. That’s what keeps you going.” 

For Szymanski, that why will always be family, and the sister whose heart keeps hers beating.