Wendy’s High School Heisman Winners: Madison Academy

MADISON- Winning the Wendy’s High School Heisman can certainly help build on a student-athlete’s resume and take them to higher accomplishments in education. For the local school winners of the prestigious national award, receiving the accolades of superior athletic, academic achievement and caring community work can be the building block to tomorrow.

Each school chose a male and female athlete for its school winner. Those competed against other schools across Alabama for the state award, which then compete against all 50 states for the National Wendy’s High School Heisman Award. The award winners for each local high school included:

MADISON ACADEMY: Ryan Pollard (soccer) and Olivia Snell (softball)

Ryan Pollard said winning the Wendy’s Heisman for the Mustangs, “Came out of nowhere as others had the right to receive it just as much as I did.” The senior soccer player and two-time defending team Most Valuable Player has been on the varsity squad since the eighth grade and has been team captain the past two seasons. He plays center midfield.

As a sixth grader, Pollard (5-11, 150) tore his ACL, but was too young for surgery and played with a brace until the ninth grade when he underwent surgery. His last three seasons on the field has seen him perform without wearing a brace.

Pollard, whose younger sister Katie is an outstanding swimmer for the Mustangs, is president of the National Honor Society and has taken pride in working many hours on Santa’s Village in downtown Huntsville. He’s also a soccer referee for elementary grade matches and has helped with numerous charities when called upon. “Yes, I’m not dedicated to just one charity. I go where the help is needed,” added Pollard, who has a 4.0 GPA and will attended either Purdue or Auburn for his college education where he wants to earn a degree in mechanical engineering and design.

The 5-8, 135-pound Olivia Snell plays pitcher and first base for the Lady Mustangs softball team and also forward on the school’s basketball team, which is defending Class 4A State Champions. Her 4.0 GPA can certainly earn her a possible scholarship for college to either Auburn of Miss State, but she has already stated she will not play softball in college.

“I wasn’t expecting to win the Wendy’s Heisman especially since I play a limited amount of time last season as I came down with mononuclious just after the end of the basketball season,” said Snell. “Winning the state championship in basketball was certainly a lot of fun, but I also receive a lot of satisfaction with my volunteer work for my church’s children’s ministry, which includes some special needs children.”