SC New York News

Watkins Glen, N.Y., June 24 -- State Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) attended the Watkins Glen High School Awards Banquet on Saturday night to pay tribute to sophomore standout Madison Tuttle for her championship in the One-Mile Racewalk at the 2024 Adidas Indoor Nationals Track and Field Championships in March in Virginia Beach. Tuttle won the event with a time of 8:09.62, outpacing the second-place finisher and the other nine competitors in the race. The victory also earned Tuttle her second All-American designation, capping a comeback from a serious ACL injury she suffered in the spring of 2022.

At Saturday’s banquet, Palmesano presented Tuttle with a Legislative Resolution (J2622/K2291) he and State Senator Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) sponsored recognizing her national championship and other racewalking accomplishments. The resolution was approved by the state Senate and Assembly in May.

In a joint statement, O’Mara and Palmesano said, “The Watkins Glen School District has a proud history of athletic excellence, competition, and achievement. We appreciate this opportunity to congratulate and pay tribute to Maddie Tuttle as one of the school’s most accomplished and highly decorated champions. It’s an opportunity to recognize and honor her dedication, excellence, hard work, perseverance, and success. She is among the very best of our region’s remarkable student-athletes who help our school communities stand out. Maddie is only a sophomore and already a national champion and an All-American with an incredibly bright and promising future. Her career represents an inspiring story of overcoming injury and emerging as a source of enormous pride and amazing success for the entire Watkins Glen school community, as well as for her family and friends, the community at large, and our entire region.”

The O’Mara-Palmesano resolution reads, in part: “Individual and team championships are highly sought after in high school sports. This Legislative Body commends rare athletic achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State. Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of healthy living, developing a sense of fair play and competition. This Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize Madison Tuttle upon the occasion of capturing the 2024 Adidas Indoor Nationals Track & Field Championship in the 1-mile racewalk.”

Watkins Glen Superintendent Kai D’Alleva said, “Maddie's performance is a testament to our District's core value of perseverance. Her hard work has truly paid off.”

Athletic Director Rod Weeden commented on Tuttle's journey: “Maddie’s story of overcoming a significant debilitating injury finding a sport that has given her joy accomplishment fueled confidence level believe barriers success life hope students children aspire.”

Racewalk Coach Erin Taylor-Talcott added: “The hard work dedication Maddie Tuttle put year continued incredible journey sports shown tenacity after injury growing improving moving ranks best state nation.”