Walker and Rudd sign to play for ABAC

Laura Young
ECB Publishing, Inc.

In a signing ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 23, Aucilla Christian Academy (ACA) athletes Madison Rudd and Sydney Walker signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in Tifton, Ga.
Madison Rudd will be joining the ABAC Women's Softball Team, bringing with her six years of experience with the sport. Currently, she plays second base or shortstop for the ACA Warriors. A well-rounded athlete, Rudd has developed her skills through participating in a variety of sports, including baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, track and gymnastics.
“I love being a part of a team that is working together towards the same goal,” says Rudd. “I also love the fun every game and practice brings.”
With accomplishments across batting, base-running and fielding, Rudd has been recognized as Player of the Game nine times since December of 2021, according to MaxPreps.
Being an athlete has been about more than physical skills for Rudd, however. She says playing sports also has shown her how to overcome adversity and develop leadership skills that she uses in everyday life. In fact, most of the challenges in softball, according to Rudd, are mental, ranging from having to leave the emotions of a bad day outside the playing field to dealing with a hitting slump across multiple games. Now Rudd is ready to take her mental strength and physical talents to the next level.
“I'm looking forward to meeting new teammates and finally accomplishing my dream of playing collegiate softball,” she says.
Likewise, ABAC's Softball Team, which has won the national championship three times, is looking forward to having Rudd realize her dream with them.
“We are thrilled to have Madison Rudd become a part of the Fillie Family,” said Head Coach Jennifer Wells in correspondence with the Monticello News. “We know that her skills and her ability will make a huge impact on our program. Athletic ability aside, Madison is an amazing person that will fit in so well with our culture. Bringing in great people into our program is first and foremost. We are excited to see her excel in the classroom as well as on the field.”
Rudd currently lives in Havana, Fla., and is the daughter of Kane and Karen Rudd.
The Rudds say, “We are just so proud of her. Not only is she a fierce competitor, she is also a great teammate. It has been so much fun being on this journey with her.”
Sydney Walker also is heading to Tifton in the fall. She will be joining ABAC's relatively new Women's Cross Country Team, which was added to the school's intercollegiate program in the fall of 2022. Although Aucilla does not have a cross country team, that did not stop Walker from pursuing the sport to a level that earned her this college deal.
“I started running cross country on my own time in ninth grade,” she says. “We have family land I am able to run in multiple days a week.”
Walker's favorite sport is actually equestrian jumping, which has proven to be excellent cross training for running. Her overall athletic skills have also developed through participation in competitive swimming and cheerleading when she was younger. Applying her talents to the sport of running has had many benefits for Walker.
“I love the adrenaline but also the peacefulness,” she reflects. “When I'm running, it's a lovely time to think and pray. It also allowed me to get into nature and the outdoors, and I absolutely love to be outside.”
Whether the weather's rainy or sunshiny, whether she's full of energy or every muscle in her body is urging her to stop, Walker runs on. Soon, her running shoes will take her from a solitary path to a team experience of cross country.
“I'm looking forward to the challenge of going new distances with new requirements and at new places, but also the people. I'm very excited to be around people who love a sport I do and to form new friendships.”
Currently, Walker lives in Perry, Fla., and is the daughter of Robin and Charles Walker.
Robin says, “Her dad and I are very proud of her. We are excited for her to have the opportunity to turn a hobby into being able to participate at the collegiate level. We are grateful God has given her this opportunity and are excited to see what her future holds.”
This sentiment is shared by ABAC Cross Country Head Coach Mike Beeman, who told the News, “We are truly excited to work with Sydney for the ABAC women's Cross Country program in the fall of 2023. Sydney has displayed great running potential at the high school level, and her enthusiasm is contagious. She will blend in well with our current Fillies.”
Founded in 1908, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College is named for one of two Georgia signers of the U.S. Constitution. The school has an enrollment near 4,000 students from 19 countries and 18 U.S. states. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).