Mady Whittaker has a phrase in which she believes: treat others the way you wish to be treated.

It’s why Whittaker, Montville High School’s senior cross country luminary, wants to forge her career in the field of nursing. It’s why she looks around the lunch room at school and talks to anyone that might need a friend.

And it’s why Whittaker, having finished second at the Eastern Connecticut Conference girls’ cross country championship on Oct. 18 at Norwich Golf Course, was stopping to pose for photos and to grant interviews to members of the media.

Whittaker had the distinction of winning the 2017 ECC title, but was denied a second straight by Bacon Academy freshman Jordan Malloy in 2018.

“It’s a little hard when you don’t always reach your goals,” Whittaker said. “Looking back, I don’t want to look back at that day and remember I was throwing a fit. I came in second; I ran a good race. That’s why I chose to be positive. It’s still one of my favorite races, one of the best days I’ve had.

“(Malloy) beating me, it reminded me of last year when I won. I kind of put myself in her position. That’s so exciting for her. I didn’t want to be selfish.”

Whittaker was named The Day’s 2018 All-Area Girls’ Cross Country Runner of the Year, earning that honor for the third straight season.

She finished her ECC career with four top-five finishes, coming in fifth as a freshman and third as a sophomore before her first-place finish a year ago and second this season in 20 minutes, 29 seconds, four seconds off Malloy’s pace. She is a four-time State Open qualifier and last year earned a trip to the New England championship meet.

Whittaker is a four-team All-ECC selection and a four-time All-Area pick.

“When we first started (her freshman year) and she started winning, we told her, ‘You’re going to be a key piece. Your face is going to be in the paper. You’re going to be going to the middle school to talk about the high school experience,’” Montville coach Steve LaBranche said of Whittaker. “To make certain she knows, ‘Be aware. People are going to be looking up to you.’ And she’s a freshman. That’s unfair.

“… It’s gone by too fast. We’re in the final 50 meters of the mile here. It’s been wonderful to watch her grow.”

Whittaker finished 10th in the Class SS state meet this season and 43rd in the State Open.

She also, however, helped the Indians pick up the ECC Division III title, their first league championship since 2000. Montville had 11 runners combined on the boys’ and girls’ teams her freshman season. This year there were 38.

“I was a part of that,” Whittaker said proudly, “making a name for the school.”

Last year’s individual ECC title was the program’s first since Kelly Hawkes — a member of the Montville High School Athletic Hall of Fame — won it 1985.

Whittaker also holds numerous school records in indoor and outdoor track and won the 1,600 meters at the league’s indoor and outdoor championships last year. She still has more to accomplish in the middle distance to distance events in the remaining time she has at Montville.

She draws inspiration from a pair of athletic cousins. Sydney Brynn, who once ran for the University of Oklahoma, was generally on speed dial before a big race — “I get stressed and I would always call her,” Whittaker said. “We’re like sisters.” Sam Whittaker, meanwhile, an East Lyme High school senior and the Class MM state champion this season, is also Mady’s cousin and, increasingly, the two have found common ground.

Mady’s interests: “Running, running and running,” she said. “I don’t like to watch TV.”

And now, someday Whittaker will be able to look back at a race she didn’t win, the 2018 ECC championship, and remember it with fondness anyway.

“At the end of the day, you can only control your own races,” said Whittaker, who has yet to make a decision on where to attend college. “I feel like I worked really hard. I’m proud of my accomplishments.”

v.fulkerson@theday.com

The Day's 2018 All-Area Girls' Cross Country Team

Player

of

the

Year 

— Mady Whittaker (Montville)

Julia Adrian (Fitch)

Lily Anderson (Stonington)

Eve Buckridge (NFA)

Gillian Goodwin (East Lyme)

Brigid Kunka (St. Bernard)

Mary Madaus (Williams)

Madison Sjostrom (East Lyme)