Pepin-Alma’s Stewart a Leader On and Off the Field
Standout Student-Athlete Perseveres Through Diabetes Diagnosis
By Screech McNeil and Troy Ingli
The 2022 Football season was going well for Madox Stewart and the rest of his Pepin-Alma
teammates. They sat atop of the Dairyland conference with a perfect 6-0 record, with three
games remaining the team looked poised to win the league title and likely gain a #1 seed in
the WIAA D7 football playoffs. Stewart was leading the Dairyland in tackles from his middle
linebacker spot and at 6’0 and 190 pounds, was a formidable blocker and pass catcher from
his tight end spot for one of the state’s top offenses.
Stewart began to experience severe cramping during the school day and often during practice
and games. The pain became so severe he could hardly walk on Saturdays after the games.
Heidi Stewart, Madox’s mom and experienced healthcare professional, recalled giving her son
specific instructions. “We hounded him about drinking water and of course eating bananas.”
The next week’s game (a 42-14 win against Blair-Taylor) went by without issues. Madox
chugged his water every chance he got. He caught 3 passes for 40 yards and a TD. He
kicked all 6 PAT’s, recorded 14 tackles and intercepted a pass on defense.
But the weekend changed the Stewart family’s life forever. “That Sunday we noticed he
looked thinner. A lot thinner,” Heidi recalled. When we asked, he admitted to excessive thirst
and then urination. “Recognizing these as signs of diabetes, I suggested we check his blood
sugar. It was 470 ( a normal range is around 80-120). After a brief visit in the local ER he
was admitted to Mayo Rochester where he received the life changing news. Madox was Type
1 Diabetic.
Rob, Madox’s father and Administrator at Alma High School coached Madox in nearly all
sports through the youth levels. He recalled his feelings on that fateful Sunday.
“When Heidi took Madox to the emergency room, I was actually out hunting with younger
sister Macy that evening. Heidi then called and said that I should head to Durand as the news
was not the greatest. As I arrived in the Durand emergency room Sunday night, I walked into
my find my son devastated. After receiving the diagnosis that he indeed was Type 1 diabetic
his mind immediately went to sports. Not knowing a whole lot about the disease at that time,
his 17 year old mind went directly to believing that he would know longer be able to play
sports, or if he did play, he would never be able to play at a high level. To be honest, as his
father, I struggled to find the words to provide encouragement and reassurance because I
didn't honestly know what sports would look like for him moving forward.”
The Stewart family agreed, that night no one got a lot of sleep as Madox spent the night at
Mayo Hospital in Rochester.
The Stewart family from back left to right: Rob, Heidi, Macy Mya, Madox
Rob recalled, “The next morning when I arrived at his hospital room in Rochester, one of the
very first things Madox shared with me was that 5 or 6 different professional athletes that play
today with Type I diabetes. He and his mother had spent that evening discussing and reading
about the disease. They researched how athletes can persevere. His mindset now was to
‘get me out of this damn hospital as we have a football game on Friday night’ AND I'm
playing. In fact, I clearly remember him telling me that I'm playing Friday night and that I
should tell Coach Olson and Coach Ingli to play him just like every other game. No breaks, no
special treatment.”
A small smile appeared on Heidi’s face remembering those early days after everyone had a
chance to wrap their heads around the situation. “Monday morning we met with the doctors
and set the stage for how he would handle this prognosis... His team is playing in the
conference championship game this Friday. He is the starting linebacker. What do we need to
do to make sure he doesn’t miss the game?”
Rob continued, “I remember the doctors asking Madox about some of his short term goals
that very first day at Mayo. He constantly kept referring to playing football on Friday night.
Given this short time frame, you could tell the doctors were a little uncertain of this goal. They
did a great job of not telling Madox no, but they also were trying to encourage him to come up
with other goals. Well, he wasn't having any of that. He has never been a man of many
words, but he was clear as could be on what his goals was. 48 hours later, his medical team
was getting ready to release him from the hospital and wishing him the best of luck with Friday
night’s conference championship football game and the up and coming playoffs.”
Madox admitted there were moments of doubt, especially early on.
“I guess the hard part of when I was first diagnosed was the not knowing what would lie
ahead. I had to learn to make changes, but at the time I didn’t know exactly how the diabetes
would affect the things that I really loved to do,” Stewart said.
Madox was discharged from Mayo early in the afternoon on Tuesday.
The Stewarts are a sportsminded family. Both Rob and Heidi have extensive coaching
experience. Madox’s younger sisters Mya (17) and Macy (15) are both multisport athletes that
have looked up to their big brother ever since they remembered.
“He has always been so good at everything,” Mya said of her older brother. “It is not by
accident. He works so hard, and doesn’t take on anything halfway. With Madox it’s all or
nothing...he is stubborn like that,” a smiling Mya stated.
When the sisters were asked if they had noticed a change in Madox last fall, Macy recalled.
“He was different around the house, but not at school or on the football field. The team was
doing really well. Madox was playing every play it seemed. I could tell at home he just looked
really tired. He was pale and almost skinny. On the weekend we hardly saw him, as he pretty
much slept all of the time,” Macy said.
“We have both looked up to him, like forever. He is a great role model. He is actually pretty
quiet, but leads by example,” Macy added.
Pepin Activities Director and assistant football coach Troy IngliI remembered seeing Madox
walk up ‘The Hill’ in Alma on Tuesday as the Eagles were in the middle of practice. “It was
pretty emotional for him as he saw his teammates preparing for the upcoming game,” Ingli
stated. For the first time EVER... Madox wasn’t on the field or court with his team. “You could
tell he wanted to be out there with his boys. I think most 16-17 year old athletes feel pretty
much ‘invincible’. Madox was in outstanding shape both mentally and physically prior to and
during the season. It was a reality check for all of us. Football is important for sure, but it is not
as important as family and one’s health,” Ingli added.
The coaches worked with the family and the doctors. Madox went through a limited practice
on both Wednesday and Thursday. Classmate Lawson Sterry, who was sitting out the 2022
season recovering from a summer injury, became part of Madox’s sideline ‘medical team.’
“Lawson was a big help,” Madox nodded. “He would hold my phone at practices and games
because it had my monitor on it...If I was low there were like boxes and bags of snacks
everywhere on the sideline thanks to my mom. My favorite sideline snack is definitely Skittles.
Lawson was in charge not only making sure I had enough, but sharing with the team as well,”
a laughing Madox recalled.
Madox played that Friday night against C-FC, helping his team win the 2022 conference
championship.
Stewart was mostly used as a blocker from his tight-end spot that night. He did throw a 23 TD
pass, kicked 4 extra points, and also recorded 9 tackles on defense. The 2022 football Eagles
would advance to the state quarterfinals and finish the year 11-1.
With help from his family, friends, and support staff, Madox continued his success into the
other sport seasons of 22-23. The Eagles won the Small Dairyland conference title in
basketball where Stewart was one of the team’s leading scorers. Madox was a standout
pitcher for the Eagle baseball team and led the conference in home runs.
The stage was set. He hasn’t missed a practice or game since.\
Stewart (9) prepares to take the field with fellow football captains Demetrius Bergmann, Evan Olson, and Cainnan Mann
Stewart’s doctor, Ms. Ana L. Creo, was a big part in helping Madox and his family return to
‘normal’ and she contributed to the story. “I encourage all students who have Type 1 diabetes
to stay active. This includes athletics when possible. There are certainly added challenges for
those that participate with diabetes,” Creo continued. “Exercise and stress affects everyone’s
blood sugar differently. A diabetic athlete has to develop a wide range of strategies to help
manage their blood sugars depending on the sport and reactions. It can be frustrating,
because depending on the activity and the time of day or night it takes place, those reactions
and sugar levels can spike or drop. Also, one of the biggest challenges is keeping the
technology in place. Sweat, movement, pads, contact, and constant changes of direction in a
sport like football may be the most difficult. It is not easy, but I think it can be worth it. Madox
Stewart is a success story...and we continue to cheer him on,” Dr. Creo concluded.
“He manages it all on his own. To say we are proud of him would be an understatement,”
Madox’s parents said.
Fast forward to the summer of 2023. Head Football Coach Mike Olson approached Madox
about transitioning to be the teams starting quarterback for the fall, after the departure of
all-conference quarterback Drew Seifert.
When asked about why he thought Madox would be a good fit for the job, Olson, in his 25th
year at the helm of Pepin and Pepin-Alma football spoke with confidence. “Ever since 4th
grade, the players in this class have switched positions. It is like they are interchangeable.
Madox is the perfect choice to be in charge of a team. He has outstanding leadership skills
and other players follow his lead. Madox has excelled wherever we have inserted him into the
lineup on our teams,” Olson added. The head coach noted that Stewart played many
positions, including offensive line as a freshman and sophomore.
“He is a competitor- He has great arm strength and honed his skills at a QB receiver camp
with fellow senior Evan Olson this past summer. Both Olson, Stewart and the entire football
crew are dedicated lifters and worked hard on agility in the off-season. It has shown on the
field.”
Stewart and the 2023 version of Eagle Football, captured their second straight Dairyland title
in 2023. Pepin-Alma was the highest scoring offense in the entire state of Wisconsin for all
divisions. Stewart had a breakout year at quarterback, and received 1st- team all-conference
for his efforts. He was even better on defense. Also garnering 1st-team honors at inside
linebacker, Stewart led the conference in tackles for the second year in a row, and was voted
the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. Area coaches voted Stewart as an All-District
linebacker and he is in the running for an ‘All-State’ defensive team. If you ask the humble
Madox about it, he gives a wry smile and credits his teammates and coaches. One of his
coaches, WFCA Hall of Fame member John Hoch, just happens to be Madox’s uncle.
“He is an outstanding high school football player. I am proud of Madox and all of his
teammates,” said Hoch.
Troy Ingli, a 28-year veteran of coaching high school football recognizes talent when he sees
it. “I have been fortunate enough to coach some great players in my career. Madox is a
special talent. The way he reads and pursues the football is something most high school kids
cannot do. His strength and agility makes him a perfect linebacker. If he wants to play
college football, he will be sought after. I am guessing local college baseball guys wouldn’t
mind his services either,” Ingli added.
Sisters Mya and Macy have a typical teenage relationship with their older brother. They
support each other on and off the fields, courts and classrooms. And of course on the
weekends and at home... well nearly all of the time. “Madox will tell you that mom and dad
treat all of us equally. That is a total lie! We know he is the favorite,” a sarcastic Mya laughs.
Macy interjects. “Yes, I mean take the ice-cream situation for example. He ALWAYS eats all of
the ice cream at the house. He never gets in trouble for it. Is that fair?” The girls both giggle.
Rob and Heidi wanted to be sure that everyone who has helped Madox through this journey
know how much it has meant to the Stewart family.
“We are extremely appreciative of all of Madox's coaches, his teammates, and their parents
for keeping such a close eye on Madox throughout this journey. There are no words that can
express how much we appreciate their care and support. This is yet another example of what
makes our small schools and communities so amazing,” said Rob.
As the football state finals approach, Madox and his schoolmates will be preparing for the
upcoming basketball campaign. Like many small town teenagers, Madox will likely be found
chasing deer or ducks when not in school or playing a sport.
According to Ingli, Madox’s story of perseverance, could be a possible help to other teens
dealing with adversity. “High school years can be challenging for today’s teens on many
levels. Pressures to succeed in the classroom, time management with extracurriculars,
relationships, mental health and other factors push kids to the edge. I think Madox is a great
example for others who might be struggling... there is a way through tough situations. Don’t
be afraid to lean on others and ask for help,” Ingli stated.
Madox, seemed to shrug off the question of what he hopes others could learn from him and
his experience in overcoming his diabetes prognosis. It took a bit of time for a somewhat
sheepish Madox to find his final words for his ongoing journey.
“I guess I feel no one should ever be scared of a challenge they have to face. I believe any
type of challenge makes you a better person in the end,” Stewart concluded.
For Madox Stewart, his family, his doctors and the support staff that has went through this
journey together, they seem to all be better people in the end.
