Sophomore Maggie Shidle and senior Tiffany Berry put on a show this past winter sports season. The two outstanding student-athletes continually make an effort to make their mark in the school’s history and leave long-lasting legacies to be remembered.

Maggie Shidle has put up outstanding numbers this year in her second year as a starter on the Girls’ Varsity Basketball team. Similarly, Tiffany Berry is producing amazing results for Wilde Lake’s Varsity Indoor Track team with impressive times and new records. Maggie and Tiffany are actively representing what a successful student-athlete looks like at Wilde Lake. 

Maggie Shidle first walked into Wilde Lake High School in 2024 with ambition and determination to turn the Wilde Lake Girls’ Basketball program around. Following a 1-20 record the previous year, Maggie played a significant role in improving the record to 10-11 and winning the 2A West Regional Championship. But this year, Shidle came with a desire to excel and push the team towards a county championship. 

“We had a historic season last year winning regionals for the first time in 27 years,” said Shidle. However, for this season, she noted that there were high expectations from people around them as well. “We have a target on our back and it’s been a strong motivation throughout the year,” she said, facing the challenges of becoming a competitive team in the county. 

Maggie has exhibited outstanding leadership skills during her time on the team, always seeking to make the team better on and off the court. An effective method of hers is prioritizing full effort during practices, not just during the game. “You can not play at a level you’ve never practiced at,” says Shidle, “I try my best to push everyone during practice so that we can succeed.” 

Along with pushing her fellow teammates to be their best, Maggie does her share of improving herself as well. “Every game and every practice is a possibility for improvement,” said Shidle. She focuses on holding herself to a high standard to propel herself to the next level. She is aware that she  “can’t let any moment or opportunity slip where [she] wished [she] had given it more [effort].” 

Maggie has proven to the school and to the county that she is an elite athlete, already receiving a Division I scholarship offer for basketball from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. However, she has maintained a reputation as a top performing student at the same time with her impressive grades and holding the position of Class President for the Class of 2028. “It’s really all about being able to determine what area requires more of a time commitment,” says Maggie. 

With AP classes and countless extracurricular activities, the workload of a top scholar at Wilde Lake is no joke. “I’m comfortable with being a little busy,” she said. “I’m honestly grateful to be able to be in my position.” Maggie credits her competitive nature for being able to juggle the intensity of performing well on the court and in the classroom. 

As of now, Maggie Shidle is putting up top class numbers, averaging about 15.3 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 3.2 assist per game along with 3.2 steals per game. The girls team finished runner up in the 2A West Regional Championship this year in a memorable season.

Tiffany Berry first joined the Wilde Lake Track team in the winter of her sophomore year. “I first found my passion in running my first outdoor season,” says Tiffany. She originally played softball in her freshman spring, but once she joined track and felt the satisfaction and triumph of progression in her running, she fell in love with the sport. “I really enjoyed the progression that I found when seeing my times drop,” said Berry. The feeling of improvement made her feel “mentally and physically stronger.” 

“I think my major progression was definitely my sophomore outdoor season,” said Berry. At the time, her main event was the 400 meter race, and she wasn’t satisfied with her results. However, with persistence and cooperation with coaches, she was able to drop her time by eight seconds, and seeing that improvement “was really motivating.” 

Tiffany shared the difficulties of being a competitive runner who is always seeking to be faster. “I think the biggest challenge is that you don’t always see the progress,” said Berry. However, with perseverance and persistent practice, the hard work would eventually pay off and motivate her to keep going. 

Tiffany explained how having a strong mental toughness is a crucial part of being a successful athlete. It can be easy to slack off in track because it is an individually performing sport, and there is no team relying on you. “But, if you have the mental toughness to come to practice even when the workout is hard,” said Berry, showing up and putting in the work every day generates results on an entire new level. 

When asked what advice she would give to a new runner entering the Wilde Lake Track Program, she said that “staying at practice will put you ahead of a lot of other athletes.” She claimed that consistency and devotion to work ethic will eventually lead to progress. 

Tiffany has been tearing it up in her senior year of running. This past February, she placed 6th overall in the 2A West Regional Championship 500 meter race. Additionally, at the state level, she finished 8th overall in the Maryland Indoor State Championship for the 500 meter competition. She looks forward to ending her senior year of track strong and potentially continuing her successful journey in running. 

Maggie and Tiffany are actively establishing the standard of top-class athletes and they are working towards becoming athletic icons at Wilde Lake. Both of them are thriving in their own respective sports and they are setting a perfect example for all student athletes who strive for excellence.