Woodstock
The odds that she’d recover as quickly as she did were a lot lower.
Schulz, a Woodstock Union High senior, was defending for Next Level Athletics, a Burlington-based AAU basketball outfit, in a Memorial Day weekend tournament last year in Rhode Island when she heard the dreaded pop.
There were only a few seconds left, and Next Level was down by a basket. Schulz was going for a steal, trying to give her team a chance to force overtime or win. Instead, her chances of finishing the season ended when a typical forward-jolting maneuver resulted in a fully torn ACL and meniscus in her right knee.
On June 19, Schulz had reconstructive surgery. By then she knew she’d be missing the following autumn’s field hockey season, a crushing realization for someone who’d been playing with many of her Woodstock teammates since elementary school and was going to be part of the squad’s 13-player senior class.
Never mind that Schulz anchored Woodstock’s defense, earning all-Marble Valley League accolades as a sophomore and junior.
“I bawled my eyes out,” Schulz said following a recent Wasps softball game. “We’d all been playing together since fourth grade.”
Schulz was still very much a part of the team, attending every practice and game that didn’t interfere with physical therapy as Woodstock charged to the Vermont Division II championship game. On both senior day and in the final against Springfield, Schulz was allowed to make ceremonial first passes during real game time before trotting back to the sideline.
“That meant a lot to me, to have so much support,” Schulz said. “It helped me make the best of the situation.”
That’s what Schulz did during the entirety of her recovery. Originally told a return to live sports would come in January at the earliest, Schulz was prepared to miss at least the first month of basketball season at Woodstock.
She was so diligent during rehabilitation and physical therapy — working with a Lebanon-based physical therapist as well as with Woodstock High trainer Brandy White — Schulz was cleared to play in time for the Wasps’ second game of the season during Christmas break.
“The mental part of the rehab, I’d say, was the hardest,” said Schulz, of South Woodstock. “I was in shape when I tore it, and the physical part wasn’t super hard for me. It was the thought of missing my senior (sports seasons) that was devastating.”
Despite playing at less than 100 percent and even being held out of practice at times by Woodstock girls basketball coach Timmy MacDonnell, Schulz went on to average a career-best 9.8 points per game — second on the team and 23rd in the Upper Valley — and matched a career high with 22 points during a February game against Twin Valley.
“It was awesome having her back playing,” said MacDonnell, who was in his first year as the Wasps’ coach but had seen her play. “You could tell she put in so much time and work because she wanted to be there for basketball.
“We had to work on her playing with the knee a little bit. I gave her a few (practice) off days, which wasn’t easy for her because she’s so competitive and always wants to be out there, but she understood. She ended up having a great season.”
It was enough to draw the interest of Norwich University, where Schulz plans to begin pursuit of a nursing degree next year. Schulz had a positive response when conferring with Norwich coaches about playing there and would join former Thetford standout Shyann Josler and former Lebanon High center Vanessa Fleury on the Cadets’ roster.
This spring, Schulz is the starting second baseman for Woodstock’s softball team, helping it get off to a 5-3 start. She’s showing a knack for offense despite not playing last season, and she a double, triple and four RBIs in a recent game against Burr & Burton.
“She has very good instincts with the bat,” said Woodstock softball coach Jane Hoisington. “I didn’t want to rush her back in because I know what she’s been through, but she has definitely gotten after it.”
Schulz’s mother, Jody, is quite proud of her daughter’s progress. Jody Schulz suffered her own ACL tear during her 20s while playing in a women’s volleyball league. Her three sisters, Beth Sawyer, Kim Cloud and Marsha Aiken, have all suffered similar injuries, she said.
Aiken’s came only a year prior to Madison’s, putting the niece on even higher alert than she had already come to terms with.
“When you play a lot of sports, there’s always going to be a chance for that kind of injury,” the Woodstock senior said. “It was always in the back of my mind, especially with the family history. Then my aunt Marsha tore hers just carrying a scuba diving tank up a hill. She’s young and in good shape, so I knew it could happen to me.”
That didn’t make the audible pop or subsequent pain in Rhode Island any easier — for either Madison or those close to her. Friend Mariah Luce has been a three-sport teammate of Schulz’s since elementary school and seconded Madison’s discomfort.
“It was heartbreaking,” said Luce, who plans to play field hockey this fall at Massachusetts’ Endicott College. “I’ve been playing with Madison for so long, and you never see her stay down when she goes down. It was very tough, but she’s been so dedicated to coming back. It’s been incredible to see.”
Jared Pendak can be reached at jpendak@vnews.com or 603-727-3225.