Freshman Maddie Spak traded in the cold weather of Wisconsin for life in the South when she chose to make Auburn her home the next four years.
The Waukesha, Wis., product has had a successful season so far for the Tigers, competing in Horsemanship and having a 4-2 mark on the year. She kicked off her freshman campaign with a big score, earning a 76.5 on the road against No. 4 Oklahoma State.
Now, Spak hopes to continue to improve as a rider and help the Tigers continue their streak of success.
Q: What were some of the reasons you chose Auburn?
A: I loved the coaches on the Auburn equestrian team. I love the "Auburn Family", and I knew that I would be getting a great education at Auburn while also being on the team.
Q: What does the Auburn Family mean to you?
A: The Auburn Family means working for each other, and those who have gotten the team to where it is today. The whole meaning behind our hashtag "#ForThem" is about working for the alumni who have made us the team we are today, our current team, and the future of Auburn equestrian.
Q: What are some memorable moments for you at Auburn?
A: Winning my first point for the team is for sure one of my favorite memories this year. Sharing that experience with my family who came to the meet was even better because they have been supporting me ever since I had the goal of competing in college.
Q: What are some of your favorite things about equestrian?
A: I love how different our sport is than any other sport. Although many people don't necessarily understand exactly what we do, we still have a large support from the university and the community which is really nice to see.
Q: Who are some of the funniest teammates?
A: There's definitely a lot of funny teammates, but I would say that Olivia Tordoff, Boo Kammerer, and Mary McDaniel understand my sense of humor the most.
Q: What are some of the biggest differences transitioning from high school to Auburn? Both athletically and academically?
A: Before Auburn, I competed individually. College is really the only time that you compete in a team setting, at least for Western. Academically, adjusting to a busy schedule with practice and other commitments has been a big change, but it definitely has gotten a lot easier as the year has gone on.
Q: What's your hometown and try to describe it.
A: I am from Waukesha, Wisconsin, which is right outside of Milwaukee. I'm not a fan of cold weather, so coming to Auburn was a nice change compared to the winters that I'm used to back home.
Q: What does it mean to compete in equestrian for Auburn?
A: Competing for Auburn is one of the greatest opportunities. We are a well-rounded team, and we all push each other to reach our highest potential. Being a part of any collegiate team is a big accomplishment, and being part of a successful program speaks to the hard work that we all put in.
Q: What are your individual and team goals this season and beyond?
A: As a team, we would like to match the season that the team had last year and end with an undefeated record, along with winning SECs and the national championship. Individually, I am still working on adjusting to the different style of riding college horses compared to the horses that we typically ride in the industry.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of competing/practicing and school?
A: Outside of competitions and school, I like to spend time with my teammates and friends here at Auburn. Getting to watch our friends from other sports compete is something that a lot of us on the team enjoy doing too.
Q: What is your major and do you have any plans set for what you want to do after graduation?
A: I am majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Psychology. After graduating, I plan on attending grad school.
Q: What's your favorite part of Auburn's campus?
A: I love the atmosphere on football game days.
Q: Where is the weirdest place you've heard War Eagle?
A: We always hear it in the airport, but the weirdest place would probably be when I was in Chicago traffic, and they saw someone in the car wearing an Auburn hat.
Q: Describe riding for Greg Williams.
A: Coach Williams was one of the biggest reasons why I chose Auburn. His coaching style is unlike any other coach or trainer that I have met, and he is always asking us how we think we can make our program better. He puts the needs of his 40 athletes above his own, and he always is looking out for us.
Q: If you were stranded on an island, what five items would you bring (no cellphone)?
Unlimited supply of Ben & Jerry's ice cream
Water
Blanket
Tent
A boat to get off the island
Q: What three people would you bring if you were stranded on an island?
1) Olivia Tordoff: Olivia is responsible so she would probably figure out how to get us off the island
2) Boo Kammerer: Boo would keep us entertained
3) Mary McDaniel: Mary can cook... the rest of us can't
Q: What's your favorite movies and television shows?
A: My two favorite shows would probably be The Office and Criminal Minds. My favorite movie is Superbad.
Q: What's the best advice you've ever received and who gave you that advice?
A: Coach Meneely always says to "win the day", which means finding the good in something that you do each day, no matter how small.
Q: What's a hidden talent you have that you want to share?
A: Before coming to Auburn to join the equestrian team, I played club soccer and was a four-year varsity letter earner in high school.