She noticed how Boyd led by example on race days and during practices, showing the team the importance of warm-ups. She noticed how Dickinson — affectionately known as the team mom — was always there with a positive attitude, ready to offer encouragement.

Now in her senior season, Szymanski is trying to do the same thing.

“Coach Joe (Donajkowski) always tells us to lead by example, so I just try and show the girls what I think we should be doing; just trying to set a good example for them, a positive example,” Szymanski said. “I’m not a very vocal leader…I know how we need to do things, like warmups and stuff, and I just try to be the leader by showing them how they should do that.”

Runners like Boyd, Dickinson and many others helped to set a standard for Alpena’s program, built on strong work ethic and leading by example.

Madi Szymanski

It’s a template that athletes like Szymanski have used, found success with and passed on to younger runners.

Donajkowski said Szymanski takes to a leadership role well.

“She’s an inspirational leader. The kids see how hard she works and see what kind of results she gets from that hard work. Madi is a natural talent,” Donajkowski said. “There’s a combination of things that have to go well to run at her level…she’s got it all.”

As one of several seniors on this year’s team, Szymanski is excited to be a leader on a team with lots of potential. Szymanski said runners put in a lot of hard work during team camp last month and the Wildcats have already shown some of that potential after winning the Rau Invitational in West Branch last week.

“I think we did really well. (I’m) really excited by our potential,” Szymanski said. “I’m excited and I’m proud of them. I can tell they’ve been working really hard.”

As she settles into a leadership role, Szymanski also has her eye on returning to the state cross country finals in November.

Szymanski’s been there twice already, competing in both her freshman and junior seasons. Last season, she finished 41st overall.

Alpena traditionally races in a competitive regional, but Szymanski has fared well, finishing third last season.

Even though her ultimate goal is to get to the finals for a third time and earn all-state honors, Szymanski said she’s mature enough now to internalize any pressure she feels and just go out and race.

She spent the summer cycling, running and getting healthy and got her season off to a good start with a win in the Rau Invite.

“I’ve been working hard and I’m excited,” Szymanski said. “I’m happy to be back. Camp went really well, I didn’t think I was in that good of shape, but I thought I ran really well at camp.”