Julia Madison is the kind of athlete who worked her way to the top. Beginning this season as a virtual unknown in soccer, and beginning her high school career as a work-in-progress in softball, Madison is this year's Bethlehem Press Female Player of the Year from Bethlehem Catholic High School.

Becahi soccer coach, Chris Bastidas said, "When she first walked on to the field, I didn't know who she was yet, but on the first day, I could see her raw ability. She was powerful, fast, quick, and so tough. It was unbelievable the way she soaked everything up."

A forward and an outside mid, Madison hadn't played soccer since her freshman year, but ended her senior year as Becahi's Female Soccer Scholar Athlete.

"It was a nice surprise and an honor," Madison said. "I just figured, it's my senior year, and I had friends on the team, and I wanted to try something different. It was a lot of fun. I wish I would have made the decision to do soccer my junior year."

This season, Madison had seven goals and six assists.

Bastidas said, "On the field, her tenacity was great. She would be all over the defense. Julia was always there to win the ball for us. She was always making great runs over top of the defense, and our midfielders would find her with through balls."

Even though Madison hadn't played soccer for a couple of years, she emerged as a leader on the team.

"Julia was well-liked and respected by everybody. She had a great attitude, always smiling, and she was a leader, a great player to have on the team," said Bastidas.

Madison was perhaps best known for her speed, both in soccer and softball.

"I've always been fast since playing sports since I was younger. I didn't have much [soccer] skill, but I think I made up for it with my speed. When I was younger, I played defense. This year, I knew my job was to score, and I did my best. I like the fast pace of the game, and running gets you conditioned very well," she said.

Madison's speed was not lost on Becahi's assistant softball coach, Chuck Billy, who suggested that Madison learn to bat lefty because she was able to run so fast.

Becahi softball head coach Rich Mazza said, "Julia really had to work hard to get to where she is. She really put a lot of time in, and with her skills, she learned there was so much more she could do."

Mazza was hesitant about switching Madison to a left-handed hitter, but Madison was all for it.

"I agreed because I wasn't hitting, and I figured I can only get better. Jackie DeSarro hit for me freshman year. The summer before sophomore year was a very long process. I worked with my dad on weekends, and Coach Billy with the machine. I would get frustrated, but now I'm glad because I'm a more successful hitter that way," said Madison.

Becahi's lead-off batter, Madison had a batting average of .448 and stole 10 bases this season.

"I loved being lead-off, especially being lefty because the defense expected me to bunt and slap all the time, but I didn't do it that much," she said.

Madison also loved playing center field.

"I love being able to catch a ball that people think will be a game changer. I love killing rallies. It's so much fun. I could never imagine being an infielder. In center field, you're the leader, and the left and right fielders look to you," said Madison.

Mazza recalled a game against Freedom when, what appeared to be a triple hit by a Freedom player, turned into a double play for the Hawks.

"It was a sinking line drive into right center field. Julia made a diving catch, did a forward roll, and gunned the ball to first base for a double play," he said.

For Mazza, though, it was how Madison held the team together that impressed him the most.

"She helped the younger kids. That's why we were as successful as we were. She was a coach on the field. Sometimes she didn't agree with me, and she let me know that too, but I liked that about her, and she was always very respectful," said Mazza.

For Madison, it was simple.

"This year we had a lot of younger girls, and I wanted to make sure they felt comfortable, so I would go to him. You're not going to have good chemistry if you can't talk to him," she said.

At the beginning of the season, the Hawks were not expected to do much.

"It was an encouraging fire for us. If we did better, we'd prove people wrong. We worked so hard at districts, none of our wins came easy. Everyone pitched in at different points," said Madison.

The Hawks ended their season with a trip to the state final and a second-place finish.

"It was a really satisfying way to end my career," she said.

Madison will attend St. Joe's University this fall, planning to major in physical therapy.