Maddie Watts is a winner in more ways than one. A soon-to-be graduate from Warner Robins High School, she is a 7-time State Champ with the Houston County Sharks, and most recently, a State Champion with the shotput in the wheelchair division -- a pretty amazing career for an amazing student athlete.
“I just like to collaborate with others that have disabilities that understood that life was harder,” says Watts. “And we overcame that, and I loved everything about it. “
But this wasn't always the path for Maddie -- 6 years ago when she was 12, she experienced a brain rupture that left her with permanent damage, physically and mentally. Before the injury, she was a blossoming cheerleader, but instead of quitting sports altogether, she later decided to continue using her athletic ability, but this time, on wheels.
“It was very hard to take, mentally,” explains Maddie. ‘Because I used to be able to flip and jump and do stunts and lift people, but you have to overcome something and accept your life, that things have changed, and I was glad I was able to do that.”
Her father, Brian Watts, agrees, “If you're a student with disabilities, that’s no excuse for you not to try or get involved. There are things out there now that everyone can get involved in and everybody can do. There are several organizations across the state that wheelchair athletes can compete in.”
And Maddie says she wouldn't change her time with friends on the court.
“Without the Sharks, I wouldn't be as happy or outgoing as I am and they really helped me with that,” says Maddie.
Maddie and her classmates from Warner Robins will graduate Saturday morning.