By Rising before the sun to train for track earned her All American.
Staying in the library until closing earned her a spot on the Dean’s List.
But her times on the course, and her papers in class aren’t why people love Madalen Shipman.
Ellie Baxter, a junior from Thompson Falls, Montana, remembers a day when she was struggling. Without hesitation her friend Madalen dropped everything for her.
“Madalen cancelled plans just to come sit with me after I had a super hard day,” said Baxter. “We didn’t even do anything. She just came to comfort me and be with me when I needed someone. That speaks to who Madalen really is.”
Madalen Shipman, a senior business major from Dillon, Montana, is part of the long-standing Hunthausen legacy at Carroll College.
She’s the 68th member of her extended family to attend the school. Although her last name is Shipman, she carries forward the Hunthausen tradition, which includes her brother Ray, the 67th member, her second-cousin-once-removed Brenton Belzer, the 69th member who is currently on the Carroll College Men’s basketball team, and her first cousin Annika Stergar, who will be the 70th relative when she arrives next year to play basketball.
On the track, Shipman has been a versatile and reliable force for the Saints, competing in events from the 400 meters to the 6K. She holds personal bests of 56.82 in the 400m, 1:32.66 in the 600m, 2:11.53 in the 800m, 5:17.50 in the mile, 4:39.97 in the 1500m, 18:45 in the 5K, and 23:10 in the 6K. A two-time All-American and consistent Dean’s List student, Shipman has balanced academics, athletics, and leadership while contributing to one of the most storied family legacies in Carroll history.
For Shipman, however, the moments that define her career are not only the races, records, or awards, but the hard days in between the injuries. She credits her recovery to her teammates who made those setbacks bearable. Her story is one of perseverance through stress fractures, shin splints, and a recent labrum tear – challenges that tested not only her body, but also her sense of identity beyond running.
“My injuries have been hard, and all have taught me things.” Shipman said. “This hip labral tear that happened over winter break was certainly heart-breaking. I missed my last year of running indoor track, but it’s allowed me to run free now that I am back to competition.”
When she’s knocked down, Shipman always pops back up again – and looks ahead, not back.
“There have been no expectations or pressure placed on me by my coaches or myself. I truly get to go out there and have fun. That being said, I am still a competitor and am seeing successful results already. I still have big goals for this season, and thanks to all of my stacked-up training over my years at Carroll, I can trust in that training and hopefully get myself or a relay team qualified for outdoor track nationals in May.”
Throughout her career, Shipman competed across a wide range of events, excelling especially in the middle‑distance races. She ran everything from the 400m to the 1500m on the track, while also contributing in cross country.
Her range and consistency helped her earn all‑conference honors in cross country and become a two‑time All‑American on the track, achievements made even more meaningful given the injuries she battled throughout her career.
While others often get wrapped up in the attention of being a top athlete, Shipman continues to uplift those around her and strive for excellence in every other area of her life.
Jenna Castro, a junior from Medical Lake, Washington, said what stands out most is not one single moment, but the consistency of Shipman’s care.
“There’s not really one moment with Madalen,” said Castro. “What is really remarkable and extraordinary about her is how she continually shows up in every little moment. She is very intentional about the way she has a conversation with me. Whether she is checking in about an interview I told her about the last time we spoke, making me a gluten-free sandwich and bringing it from home on a day that I don’t have time to grab lunch, or just allowing herself to open up to me about the real things that are happening in her life, Madalen is a really incredible person to have a relationship with because she always pays attention to the details and does what she can to help. She is always listening, finding out what that person needs, and giving it to them. So I guess my answer to what a moment with Madalen is like is this: She makes me feel really special every moment I spend with her.”
Shipman appreciates the support and encouragement of her teammates.
“I care very deeply about my teammates, coach, and the work we put in!,” Shipman said. “It means a lot that my teammates would say that about me because to be great at cross country and track, you pretty much have to be those things. I do work very hard at my training. I love what we do, and it’s not always easy when we run year-round. But that’s where being intentional – and being steady – comes in. We all are stacking up training over multiple years. College athletics is a job, and I take that job very seriously.”
In her final season, Shipman served as team captain, supporting teammates and helping foster a strong team culture. Coaches and teammates describe her as attentive to detail in her training and preparation, while also emphasizing that her value extends beyond athletic performance.
“Madalen understands that there is worth beyond running and that perfection isn’t the goal,” said coach Shannon Flynn. “She leads with care, discipline and humility.”
Shipman credits Flynn as her steadfast anchor and cheerleader on her journey through injuries to honors.
“Battling injuries forced me to learn patience and trust the people around me,” Shipman said. “There were seasons when I had to spend more time on the bike than on the track, and that really challenged me to find confidence in who I was outside of running.”
Reflecting on her career, Shipman said her gratitude runs deepest for the relationships that shaped her as an athlete and as a person.
“I would say Coach Flynn has been my biggest supporter and advocate. She has made me the successful runner I’ve become,” said Shipman. “She works so hard on all of our individual training plans; mine includes many cross-train days because I have battled stress fractures, shin splints and a recent labrum tear – plus days on the bike keep me healthy. She has so much love for her team and athletes. She’s shaped me into the person I am today, and I’m not sure where I would be without my coaches.”
That same discipline has carried into the classroom. As a business major, Shipman has approached her academics with the same focus and determination that she brings to competition.
She has consistently prioritized her studies, demonstrating strong time management skills while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. Professors and peers alike recognize her as engaged, prepared and thoughtful in discussion, reflecting her genuine desire not just to succeed, but to learn.
Known for going above and beyond in all areas of life, Shipman balanced academics, training and personal responsibilities while managing stress with grace. She is recognized for staying committed to finishing what she started, caring deeply for her family and teammates, and consistently leading through example.
Whether mentoring younger runners, offering encouragement after a tough race, or simply showing up with a positive attitude, Shipman’s influence reaches far beyond the track.
As her collegiate career comes to a close, those around the program say Shipman’s legacy will be defined not only by her accomplishments, but by the way she supported others and demonstrated character throughout adversity.
Being an All-American will leave her name in program history, but her more lasting impact will be who she is as a person – a driven student, a loyal teammate, a compassionate leader.
Her story is not simply one of athletic success. Her story is one of a student-athlete who excelled in the classroom, competed at the highest level and, above all, remained grounded in humility and kindness.
“In terms of the team, I am most grateful for the friendships,” Shipman said. “With graduation so close, what really makes me emotional about the next chapter is how much I am going to miss running with my teammates once I leave Carroll. I have made so many friends.”
