Harriton’s Mady Calhoun is Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week
The 5-foot-10 junior forward, who received All-Main Line recognition last winter, is off to a great start this season, averaging more than 13 points per game (as of Feb. 5), rebounding well (10 boards vs. Strath Haven), blocking shots (five vs. Springfield and Strath Haven) and playing good defense. Harriton girls basketball head coach Chris Wielgus said, “Mady is a fierce competitor with a love for the game of basketball. She has worked hard to develop her skill and her physicality.” A fine all-around athlete, Calhoun plays soccer for Harriton in the fall. Her mother, Grace Calhoun, is the Athletic Director at the University of Pennsylvania and her father, Jason Calhoun, is the men’s golf coach at Penn.
Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?
A: I feel the strongest parts of my game are seeing the floor well and finding the open player with good passing. On the defensive side, my strengths are being a disruptive defender and being able to come off my responsibility and help others when needed. I am currently working hard on ball handling and being able to play every position on the floor.
Q: You older sister Lexy is a teammate, and a senior guard for Harriton. Tell us a little about the most important things you’ve learned from her, on and off the basketball court.
A: It has been really great to have an older sister to play with the last few years. Lexy has a tremendous basketball IQ and I learn from her every day, whether it be battling one-on-one or during games. We communicate very well and she pushes me to be my best all the time. Off the court, we have always been very close. She helps me with my schoolwork and managing my time. I have also learned so much watching her go through the college recruitment process.
Q: Tell us a little about your off-season training and what challenges you faced in your training because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A: One of the biggest challenges during the pandemic was not being able to run with our team and play in tournaments. A lot of my training consisted of ball handling drills, shooting drills, and a lot of one-on-one with my sister in the driveway. We also did a lot of strength and conditioning.
Q: Have you always played forward? Tell us a little about your start in competitive basketball. Who have been your most important basketball mentors; and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?
A: I’ve played most positions on the floor, but mainly a forward or center because of my height. One of my biggest mentors in basketball has been Coach [Chris] Wielgus. However, I’ve been around college basketball teams my entire life. I have been very fortunate to have watched many great players, both male and female, at several great basketball programs (Indiana University, Loyola Chicago, and University of Pennsylvania).
Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation on the day of a game.
A: My day-of-game routine is pretty simple. I continue to go over the scouting report and what my responsibilities are for the game. I don’t have any pre-game rituals, other than making sure I have a good supply of chewing gum.
Q: What is your favorite course at Harriton? What do you think you’d like to major in at college? Is there a career field that particularly interests you at the present time?
A: One of my favorite courses at Harriton was Sports and Entertainment Marketing. At this point I’m still undecided on college majors and careers, but have many interests.
Fun facts – Mady Calhoun
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy.
Favorite movie: We Bought a Zoo.
Favorite place to visit: Waterville, Ireland.
Person(s) I most admire, and why: “My parents, because they have exposed me to so many things and taught me so many valuable life lessons.”
Family members: parents Jason and Grace, sisters Lexy, Ella (7th grader at Welsh Valley Middle School) and Kate (1st grader at Penn Valley Elementary), and grandmother (Mimi).
(To be selected as Main Line Girls Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by her coach.)
