Women's Track & Field 10/14/2025 1:50:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Women's Track & Field Completes Roster With Five Newcomers

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's track and field program, under the direction of ninth-year head coach Grant Lofdahl, has announced the addition of five newcomers for the 2025-26 academic year.

Beginning their WSU career this semester were Ella Hufnagel (Fowler, Mich.), Audrey Huizinga (Manistee, Mich.), Marissa Madia (Belle River, Ont. / Belle River District), Ella Showerman (South Lyon, Mich. / Brighton [Michigan State]), and Sophie Smith (Dearborn, Mich. / Trenton).

Ella Hufnagel, 5-4, Fr., Sprints/Jumps, Fowler, Mich. / Fowler
High School:  A 2025 graduate of Fowler High School ... was a four-year letterwinner for coach Neil Hufnagel ... selected team MVP in 2025 after helping the Eagles to their second consecutive state title ... took first in the long jump at the 2025 Division 4 state meet with a personal-best mark of 18-2.25 ... placed third in the 100m dash (personal-best time of 12.44), fourth in the 200m dash (personal-best time of 25.84 in prelims) and third in the 400m dash at the state meet as a senior ... won the high jump at the 2025 regional meet ... was a 16-time All-Central Michigan Athletic Conference (CMAC) honoree, which included 11 league titles (all four years in the 400m dash; two in the 4x200m relay; and once each in 100m, 200m, long jump, high jump and 4x400m relay) ... earned 14 All-State accolades in six different individual events and three different relays ... won four state titles (twice in 4x400m relay; and once each in long jump and 4x200m relay) ... also competed in volleyball and basketball for FHS ... garnered All-CMAC recognition in volleyball and was an All-State selection in basketball ... scored 10 points in the 2025 MHSAA Division 4 state basketball championship game win over Ewen-Trout Creek on 5-of-7 shooting ... totaled 13 points and team-high totals of four assists and three steals in the 2025 semifinal win over Genesee Christian ... served as a team captain in all three sports as a senior ... earned Class Top 10 Academic honors.

Personal:  Full name -- Elizabeth R. Hufnagel ... born on April 5, 2007, in Carson City, Mich. ... daughter of Neil and Anne Hufnagel ... father ran track at Central Michigan ... has two older brothers, Nicholas and Anthony, and two older sisters, Lindsey and Allison ... both sisters ran track at Western Michigan ... plans to major in Nursing ... last name is pronounced Huff-nay-gull.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Ella Hufnagel: "Ella Hufnagel joined the team after a tremendous senior season. She suffered a few injuries her junior year but after watching her compete we knew she could be a big help to our program. Ella competed in the 100m, 200m, 400m, and the Long Jump at the State Championships and was All-State in each event. Highlighting the day was a personal record, and claiming first place, in the Long Jump. Ella and her team went on to win the state meet. She does a great job at learning new skills and will be training as a Multi (Pentathlon/Heptathlon) for the 2026 seasons (indoor and outdoor)."

Audrey Huizinga, 5-6, Fr., Sprints, Manistee, Mich. / Manistee
High School:  A 2025 graduate of Manistee High School ... was a four-year letterwinner for coach Anthony Torres and the Mariners ... shattered Manistee's 400m record with a 58.03 at the West Michigan All-Star meet ... also won the 100m and 200m dashes, and was part of the winning 4x400m relay at that same meet ... was a four-year all-state performer ... finished second in the 400m dash in a personal-best time of 56.76, and placed third in the 200m dash at the 2025 MHSAA Division 3 track meet, after running a personal-best 25.66 in the prelims ... ran the anchor leg on the 4x400m relay which finished fifth ... ran a personal-best 12.54 for 100m to win the 2025 West Michigan Lakes Conference championship ... finished sixth in the 200m dash and third in the 400m dash as a junior at the 2024 MHSAA Division 3 state track meet ... placed eighth (400m dash) and ran in the state finals on both the 4x100m relay and 4x200m relay in 2023 ... placed eighth as a freshman at the 2022 MHSAA state track meet in the 400m dash, while also competing with the 4x200m and 4x400m relays ... served as a track team captain as a senior ... also competed in cross country for coach Ashley Lindeman ... competed at the MHSAA Division 3 Regional cross country meet three times (2021-23-24) ... received Academic Honors.

Personal:  Full name -- Audrey G. Huizinga ... born on August 26, 2006, in Grand Rapids, Mich. ... daughter of Chris and Abbie Huizinga ... has a younger brother, Eddie, and two older sisters, Grace and Anna ... plans to major in Social Work ... last name is pronounced HI-zing-uh.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Audrey Huizinga: "Audrey Huizinga is a great fit for our team and the culture we have created here. Audrey will train as a 400m specialist but will also be a great asset for the 4x1 and 4x4 relays. She had a tremendous senior season being named All-State in the 200m, 400m, and 4x4. Audrey has shown us to be a tremendous athlete, and we are very much looking forward to Audrey helping our team improve as she develops into a great sprinter."

Marissa Madia, 5-5, Fr., Sprints, Belle River, Ont. / Belle River District
High School:  A 2025 graduate of Belle River District High School ... selected as the track squad's MVP in both 2024 and 2025 ... was an OFSAA qualifier in 2023-24-25 ... set three school records: 100m dash, 200m dash and 4x100m relay ... advanced to the provincial championships as a senior ... ran a season-best 7.77 for 60m indoor at the 2025 Windsor Indoor Classic to place second ... posted a time of 12.48 for 100m outdoor at the 2025 OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) Championships in Toronto ... ran a personal-best time of 12.17 in the 100m dash at the 2024 Canadian U20 Championships in Montreal ... recorded a personal-best time of 25.48 for 200m at the 2024 OFSAA Championships in London, Ont. ... competes during the summer for the Border City Athletics Club ... participated at the 2025 New Balance Nationals Indoors in Boston in both the 60m dash and the 4x200m relay short track (took first place in 1:40.16).

Personal:  Full name -- Marissa S. Madia ... born on December 6, 2007, in Belle River, Ont. ... daughter of Frank and Sandra Madia ... has a sister, Isabella ... plans to major in Exercise and Sport Science ... last name is pronounced muh-DEE-ah.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Marissa Madia: "Marissa Madia was recruited early in her high school career, and we are delighted that she chose to be in our program. After many conversations with her coaches and having her on campus it was clear that Wayne State and Detroit would be a great fit for her and the team. Marissa competed later into the summer at the Ontario and Canadian Track & Field Championships. Marissa will specialize in the 100m, 200m, and 4x1 relay and we look forward to her being an asset in all three events."

Ella Showerman, 5-6, So., Distance, South Lyon, Mich. / Brighton (Michigan State)
2024-25:  Attended Michigan State University ... competed in two cross country races for the MSU Club Team -- MSU Auto-Owners Spartan Invitational and the Spartan Grand Classic (both 6K) ... posted a season-best time of 24:48.7 at the SGC ... participated in the 800m run, mile, and 3200m races during the indoor season ... competed in three outdoor competitions running the 800m, 1500m, 5K and steeplechase.

High School:  A 2024 graduate of Brighton High School ... attended South Lyon East High School for three years ... ran for coach Kristi Matuszewski at BHS ... advanced to the 2000 MHSAA Division 1 state finals meet and set a season-best time of 19:37.23 ... recorded a sixth-place finish at the 2020 Lakes Valley Conference (LVC) Championship, then finished fifth as a sophomore ... after competing in the 2021 MHSAA state finals, set a season-best time for 5K of 19:02.6 at the Michigan Meet of Champions ... ran in a pair of meets as a junior at SLEHS ... participated in the 2021 MHSAA regional track meet in both the 3200m event and the 4x800m relay ... finished second in the 3200m race at the 2022 LVC Championship meet ... competed in three outdoor track meets in 2024 for Brighton H.S. ... lettered on the boys swimming and diving squad as a diver while at SLEHS ... finished ninth on the one-meter board at the 2021 LVC Championship meet.

Personal:  Full name -- Ella F. Showerman ... born on February 20, 2006, in Southfield, Mich. ... daughter of Steven and Rachael Showerman ... has three sisters, Grace, Tess and Hope ... plans to major in Global Studies.

Coach Lofdahl on Ella Showerman: "Ella was a very late, but welcome, addition to the cross country and distance squad. She has a lot of athleticism and raw potential, which we've already seen in cross country and anticipate will translate well to the 3K, 5K, and steeplechase on the track as well."

Sophie Smith, 5-6, Fr., Hurdles/Jumps, Dearborn, Mich. / Trenton
High School:  A 2025 graduate of Trenton High School ... was a four-year varsity letterwinner for coach Thomas Bridges ... finished fourth in the 300 hurdles and fifth in the 100m hurdles at the 2022 Downriver League Championship ... placed second in both the 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles at both the 2023 and 2024 DRL Championships ... won the 100m hurdles at the 2023 MHSAA Division 2 regional meet at Chelsea, then placed second as a junior ... advanced to the MHSAA state finals in the 100m hurdles in both 2023 and 2024 ... placed third in the high jump (4-11), and second in both 100m hurdles (16.11) and the 300m hurdles (46.84) at the 2025 DRL Championship meet ... participated in the 2025 MHSAA Division 2 state meet in the 100m hurdles (7th-15.32) and 300m hurdles ... also competed in swimming and competitive cheer for the Trojans ... advanced to the MHSAA Division 3 state championships as a diver in both 2022 and 2023 ... served as a team captain for both track and cheer as a senior ... was a member of the National Honor Society ... completed an AP Capstone.

Personal:  Full name -- Sophia L. Smith ... born on October 21, 2007, in Wyandotte, Mich. ... daughter of Sonya Golden and Brody Smith ... plans to major in Marketing.

Associate Head Coach Nate Miller on Sophie Smith: "The final athlete to be added to the roster for the Sprinters, Jumpers, and Hurdlers is Sophie Smith and she has been a great addition. Sophie came to our attention late in the recruiting cycle, but after meeting with her and seeing her compete we are very happy to add her to the hurdles crew. Sophie stood out in her senior season qualifying in both the 100m and 300m Hurdles at the state meet. She ran a personal best in the 100m Hurdle Finals and was named All-State. In the short time that Sophie has been here she has shown a strong desire to improve in the 100m and 400m Hurdles. We are looking forward to seeing her compete in the upcoming season."

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Players Mentioned

Audrey Huizinga: Sprints; 5' 6"; Freshman

Marissa Madia: Sprints; 5' 5"; Freshman

Ella Hufnagel: Sprints/Jumps; 5' 4"; Freshman

Ella Showerman: Distance; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Sophie Smith: Hurdles/Jumps; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Audrey Huizinga
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Sprints

Marissa Madia
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: Sprints

Ella Hufnagel
: 5' 4"; Freshman
: Sprints/Jumps

Ella Showerman
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: Distance

Sophie Smith
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: Hurdles/Jumps