Throughout the course of any athletic season, there will be bumps in the road that no one expects. But how the team responds can tell you a lot about that team and how successful they will be. Mackenzie Martin and her Stillwater softball teammates had to deal with such an issue last season and she thinks the team handled it very well.

“The highlight of my career would have to be last year at a tournament we were competing in,” she said. “All the seniors were out so the underclassmen had to play two games in the tournament. We had no idea what to do without the seniors but we ended up winning both games,  which I think gave the team more confidence to help us move forward.”

Martin is a senior at Stillwater High School, where she plays small power forward for the basketball team. She has been playing basketball for twelve years and loves the sport.

There have been numerous people that have influenced Mackenzie’s life over the years. But as she looks back on it, she says that there are a few that have had the biggest impact.

“My parents, Ashleigh and Jesse Martin, would have to be my biggest role models,” she said. “They have taught me how to work hard and what working hard looks like. They push me to be the best person I can be and expect me to be and do great things. They have taught me the difference between being a leader and a follower and how to be a great leader. Another would have to be my favorite teacher, Mr. Carley. He has taught me to live life to its fullest and to be the best version of myself.”

Along with playing sports, Martin is also a member of SMAC (Stillwater Makes A Change), FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), and the student council.

“I’m also part of this group called The Wagon Crew,” she said. “We are basically the hype crew for the football games. We pick the themes for the game and bring smoke bombs and poppers and show up to every game.”