Nickles ups selfie game at ESPYs

Madilyn Nickles rarely takes selfies. The former Merced High softball star doesn’t even have a Twitter account.

However, Nickles made an exception as she made her way on the red carpet prior to the ESPYS on Wednesday night. Nickles’ selfie game was strong as she snapped off pictures with athletes like Clayton Kershaw, Shaquille O’Neal, Odell Beckham Jr. and J.J. Watt.

“I didn’t really have time to hand off my phone and have somebody take a picture,” Nickles said. “I figured selfies were the best way to get quick photos with the time I had. I don’t usually take selfies but it was worth it to take photos with them.”

Attending the event was one of the many perks of being named the Gatorade National Softball Player of the Year. Nickles was flown to Los Angeles by Gatorade along with the 11 other Gatorade National Players of the Year.

“It was really special,” Nickles said. “I never thought I’d be going to the ESPYS and walk the red carpet next to professional athletes and take pictures of them.”

The 12 athletes attended the Gatorade award dinner, which was hosted by ESPN’s Sage Steele. At the dinner, Boys Basketball Player of the Year Jayson Tatum (Chaminade College Preparatory School/St. Louis) and Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year Sydney McLaughlin (Union Catholic High School/Scotch Plains, N.J.) were named the Gatorade National Male and Female Athletes of the Year.

While in Los Angeles, Nickles and other Gatorade athletes were able to participate in a hip-hop dance workout taught by Dancing with the Stars’ Allison Holker and later another workout on the beach led by Gunnar Peterson, who is a personal trainer for many athletes and celebrities.

“I was amazed at the production that Gatorade put on for the three days,” said Nickles’ father, Ted. “The award dinner the night before the ESPYS was phenomenal. They had Abby Wambach, Cam Newton, Jennie Finch and Karl-Anthony Towns there presenting awards.

“Everything they set up for the athletes, all the swag, and food, it was three days of being spoiled. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Gatorade did everything first class.”

The highlight of the trip was attending the ESPYS and walking the red carpet.

“I was kind of intimidated,” Nickles said. “A lot of them are super tall. There were a few feet taller than me. Some of them were really busy like Shaq, Kobe and Stephen Curry. Kobe and Curry were escorted by security through the red carpet. I wanted a picture with LeBron James, but I heard he doesn’t even walk the red carpet. He just goes straight into the building.

“It was fun. They were really nice and I really enjoyed the experience. They seemed happy to take a photo.”

Nickles continues to pick up more postseason accolades since being named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

CalHiSports named Nickles the Large School State Player of the Year and selected Nickles on the All-State Super Elite First team after she finished the season with a 19-5 record in the circle with a 0.50 ERA and 308 strikeouts. She also hit .552 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.

MaxPreps named Nickles a first-team All-American as a multipurpose player.

Nickles helped the USA Women’s National Elite Team finish fourth in the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City earlier this month. Nickles had three hits in five at-bats during the tournament and finished with one home run, three runs scored and two runs batted in. She was the only high school player selected for the team.

“It’s been a pretty crazy summer,” Nickles said. “I’ve gone everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a plane so much, but I’ve learned a lot and it’s been a good experience. I never imagined I’d get to experience the things I’ve been able to experience this summer.”

This story was originally published July 16, 2016 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Nickles ups selfie game at ESPYs."