Columbia Softball Takes a Pair of Ivy League Weekly Awards
5/5/2025 2:00:00 PM | Softball
Olivia Madkins Named Player of the Week, Juju O’Brien Captures Second Rookie of the Week
PRINCETON, N.J. – Columbia softball took two of the three the Ivy League's weekly awards, with Olivia Madkins earning Player of the Week, while first-year infielder Juju O'Brien was named the Rookie of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
The duo played a huge role in the Lions series sweep over Dartmouth in the final week of the regular season. Columbia clinched the No. 3 seed in this week's Ivy League Tournament; the three-game sweep over the Big Green improved the Lion's record to 15-6 in conference play. The 15 wins are tied for a program record for most wins in Ivy League action for Columbia.
This is the first career weekly award for Madkins. The Los Angeles, Calif., native led the Lions offensively last weekend, hitting .700 (7-for-10) with two runs scored and three driven in. In the series finale on Sunday, Madkins got the Lions on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the third. It was her second of the year.
Madkins has had a sensational sophomore campaign, putting up career-bests in every statistical category. For the year, she has been hitting .301, scoring 17 runs and driving in 18. She leads the Lions with nine stolen bases.
This week marks the second time O'Brien has been named the Rookie of the Week. She was also named Rookie of the Week on March 17 this season. The Southern California native hit .500 last week, going 4-for-8 with two runs scored and three driven in. She slugged .875 and boasted a .600 on-base percentage. Moreover, she was flawless in the field, boasting a 1.000 fielding percentage with seven putouts and seven assists at short.
For the year, O'Brien is hitting .306 with 10 runs scored, and 13 driven in. She has four doubles, a triple and a home run.
"I'm so proud of Oliva and Juju for the time, effort, and hard work they've put in," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "they consistently go above and beyond, often putting in extra work outside of practice to develop their game. Their dedication is truly admirable, and it is so rewarding to see their efforts being recognized. They are both incredibly deserving of these weekly awards!"
Columbia returns to action on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., taking on Harvard in the Ivy League Tournament.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
The duo played a huge role in the Lions series sweep over Dartmouth in the final week of the regular season. Columbia clinched the No. 3 seed in this week's Ivy League Tournament; the three-game sweep over the Big Green improved the Lion's record to 15-6 in conference play. The 15 wins are tied for a program record for most wins in Ivy League action for Columbia.
This is the first career weekly award for Madkins. The Los Angeles, Calif., native led the Lions offensively last weekend, hitting .700 (7-for-10) with two runs scored and three driven in. In the series finale on Sunday, Madkins got the Lions on the board with a solo home run in the bottom of the third. It was her second of the year.
Madkins has had a sensational sophomore campaign, putting up career-bests in every statistical category. For the year, she has been hitting .301, scoring 17 runs and driving in 18. She leads the Lions with nine stolen bases.
This week marks the second time O'Brien has been named the Rookie of the Week. She was also named Rookie of the Week on March 17 this season. The Southern California native hit .500 last week, going 4-for-8 with two runs scored and three driven in. She slugged .875 and boasted a .600 on-base percentage. Moreover, she was flawless in the field, boasting a 1.000 fielding percentage with seven putouts and seven assists at short.
For the year, O'Brien is hitting .306 with 10 runs scored, and 13 driven in. She has four doubles, a triple and a home run.
"I'm so proud of Oliva and Juju for the time, effort, and hard work they've put in," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "they consistently go above and beyond, often putting in extra work outside of practice to develop their game. Their dedication is truly admirable, and it is so rewarding to see their efforts being recognized. They are both incredibly deserving of these weekly awards!"
Columbia returns to action on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., taking on Harvard in the Ivy League Tournament.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
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