By EDWARD SEVERN, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel Lady Tarpons track & field athlete Madison Ramos has signed with Texas A&M University-Kingsville, to continue her track career.
“Kingsville was the right choice for me,” she said Wednesday during a signing ceremony. “It is close to home, which means I will be close to family. That is important for me. The coach made me feel like I was going to be supported, and I felt like I can make it my home the next four years.”
Ramos has been the district champion in the high jump since her freshman year. She did not accomplish that feat her sophomore year because of COVID.
“I am very excited,” she said. “I cannot say that it has been a dream my whole life, like other people. I found my confidence last year and thought, ‘Hey, I can actually do this. I feel in love with the sport, and I want to succeed.”
She finished third in the state in Class 4A during her junior year, only losing out on gold by a couple of inches. Ramos also holds the record in the area for the high jump and was regional champion last year en route to state.
Academically, Ramos is an excellent student-athlete. She has received honors in the classroom and has been named to academic all-district teams in the past.
The state bronze medalist found a love for teaching last summer during a summer job. Ramos was a sandcastle building instructor.
“I really enjoyed teaching that way, mostly working with kids,” she said.
Ramos plans on studying kinesiology while with the Javelinas, with the hopes of becoming a coach.
“My coaches have played a big part on the track and in the recruiting process,” she said. “They made me believe in myself and what I am capable of. My friends and family, of course, helped shape me, helped me and built who I am along the way.”