by Jeff Olsen

Her nickname is Maddy, her full name is Madison, she is 14, and she comes at life with impressive attributes of grit and charm.

Only a ninth grader, she is facing a huge hiccup in all things important to a talented athlete.

Maddy, the daughter of Aaron and Alishia Opacich, hails from Duluth but has very close ties to Roseau.

Her mother, the former Alishia Bleau, is a 2000 RHS graduate.

In early August, Maddy was spotted at Helgeson Funeral Chapel during the visitation for her great aunt, DeAnna Hovda, who had died suddenly.

The tears had already been shed for a most remarkable wo...