NATHANIEL MATA | STAFF WRITER
MISSION — To say Sharyland High’s Madison Bickerton comes from an athletic family may be a bit of an understatement. She’s seen both of her brothers sign to play college baseball, while her father, Barton, is one of the most decorated high school baseball coaches in the Valley.
On Tuesday afternoon, Madison had her time to shine as she signed a national letter of intent to join the track and field team at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Even with the athletic pedigree, the senior who is a four-year letterman in both volleyball and track had a decision to make. She could attend college strictly for academics at UT Austin, or go to UTRGV and have a chance to compete.
“I never thought that I would ever have the opportunity to just go out there and (be a) high jumper at a DI school,” Madison Bickerton said.
Madison was spotted by Taylor Cipicchio, UTRGV’s jumping and multi-event coach, by chance.
“It just happened that I was at a track meet and the coach showed up,” Madison Bickerton said. “She’s one of those coaches that doesn’t look at the numbers, but she looks at your ability. That’s something that I really look forward to. They don’t look at just your numbers, but your opportunity, and how much ability you have as an athlete.”
Bickerton has a 3.80 GPA, is a member of the National Honor Society and ranks in the top 7 percent in her class. Despite an acceptance to the University of Texas, she couldn’t pass up the chance to follow her dreams as a competitor.
“It’s amazing just to think that I’m going to be competing all around the nation,” Bickerton said. “And just growing up in a prestigious sports-related family, I’m kind of fulfilling the family prestige.”
She’ll be competing in Edinburg — the same place her father played baseball at legacy institution UTPA from 1990-92. The proud father was happy to see Madison following his path while finding her own.
“It’s special. Both of her brothers went to play baseball in college,” Barton Bickerton said. “We always thought she was going to take the academic route. We were happy with that. Then, this came along. It’s kind of a surprise. It’s been even better than the boys, because we knew they were going to play. It’s been real special.”
Barton Bickerton offered his perspective as a father, former student-athlete, educator and coach who has sent players to college.
“You can’t beat the DI experience,” Barton Bickerton said. “I think she would have regretted it — not taking this opportunity to at least go and try. She can always go to UT later on, but this is something you cannot pass by. To have her close to home, where we can actually go watch, is going to be great.”