After her cross country career was abruptly put on hold, Stanton County sophomore Madison Seyb was looking for a way to stay engaged in the sport she loved.  

At the encouragement of coach Mike Horton, Seyb decided to chronicle the Trojans' season by writing recaps of the meets.

In articles published on the school website, Seyb is adept at setting the scene. 

"This year's first meet came and went, being one for the record books," Seyb wrote while recapping the Meade meet, which was interrupted by bad weather in the middle of a race. "The coaches claimed they had never seen something like it happen before. The skies were dark and stormy and there were stray lightning strikes in the distance." 

Of the Tribune meet, Seyb wrote: "This week's meet was the one where with every step you take you get a patch full of stickers stuck to your shoe and maybe a cactus needle or two. Along with that, you'll want to keep a watch out for snakes, one girl saying she almost stepped on one." 

Owning a knack for storytelling, Seyb's experience over the last few months is quite the compelling story itself.   

Seyb, this week's Capitol Federal True Blue® Student of the Week, is just three months removed from a terrible accident in which she suffered several serious injuries that left her hospitalized for two weeks and unable to walk for nearly a month and a half. 

She was on her way to basketball practice when she was involved in a car crash. She had to be extricated from the vehicle after being trapped in between the seat and the door.  

Extensive injuries included damage to her carotid artery, a cracked rib that caused a punctured lung, a broken pelvis and fractures on both sides of her skull.  

Matters were further complicated a day after surgery when she developed pneumonia, causing her right lung to collapse.  

"In the beginning, honestly, we were just hoping that she lived," Horton said. "This was really, really serious." 

After making it out of the woods, a long recovery and rehabilitation process ensued.  

Seyb was unable to put any pressure on her left leg for more than a month, forced to get around in a wheelchair and a walker.  

As for her running career, Seyb was initially told by doctors that she could expect to begin light jogging in January, about six months after the accident.  

"When I couldn't run, you realize how much you truly love things that you can't do," Seyb said. 

Seyb played a key role in helping the Stanton County girls win a second straight Class 2A state championship last year, finishing 24th at the state meet as a freshman.

Following the accident, Horton said Seyb attended every practice and remained a huge asset to the program. Even more so when she started chronicling meets for the website. 

"I was thinking of some of the books like, 'Running with the Buffaloes,' knowing she's a good student and a strong writer, my thought was that it would be cool to have her documenting and journaling the season and the process," he said.

"I really enjoy reading, and then last year we started writing stuff a lot for my English class," Seyb said. " I think that's kind of where it came from because I enjoy writing. (Writing about cross country) gave me something to do since I couldn't run. I enjoyed doing it." 

Seyb's initial goal was to return to some form of running track next spring. If not, she had planned to participate in the wheelchair races that became sanctioned by KSHSAA last year.  

But as Seyb began making huge strides, competing in a cross country meet this season started to become a possibility. 

She made it a reality last week, competing in the Hi-Plains League meet at Arkalon Park in Liberal last Thursday. Seyb ran in the junior varsity race, finishing in 28:03.59. 

"It was definitely a lot of fun,"  she said. "Even though I could feel the pain from the race, coming through that finish line was kind of like an overwhelming feeling of, 'I made it.'" 

"This course has a giant hill that we had to run up," Seyb added. "That was definitely the hardest part. But the entire thing, it didn't really feel like a race to me as more as just having the ability to be out and run with my team again. It was just very encouraging to be running with them again." 

Considering Seyb's work ethic, Horton said it wasn't all that surprising to see the accelerated recovery process. 

"Madison is a model for any cross country runner," he said. "She's always consistent in her work ethic. She's never cut any thing short as long as I've known her. 

"There was never any doubt in my mind that when she was given the opportunity, she would make the best of it. It's a great example for all of us." 

Seyb isn't sure yet if she will be cleared to play basketball this season. If not, she will set her sights on track and field season, hoping to qualify for state in either the one-mile or two-mile run. 

"We're just thankful that we have a healthy, happy Madison back," Horton said. "At some point in time, there's no doubt in my mind that she'll return to her previous physical condition." 

Seyb said the accident has given her added perspective. 

"Just definitely don't take your life for granted," Seyb said. "God gave it to you for a reason. He has a plan for you. He put you for here for a reason and let him lead you through it."