Mackenzie Magness
School: Freeport
Class: Junior
Sport: Track and Field
Claim to Fame: Magness claimed her third WPIAL title in the pole vault, posting a mark of 12 feet at the WPIAL Class 2A track and field championships at Slippery Rock on Thursday. She was also part of the 400-meter relay team that finished second with a time of 50.25 seconds. Magness then secured a pair of fifth-place finishes when she jumped 17-1.5 in the long jump and was part of the 1,600 relay team that ran a time of 4:11.24. She qualified for the PIAA championships in all her events. The state meet will be next weekend at Shippensburg University.
This was the second year in a row that you came away with four medals. What are your thoughts on that accomplishment?
It was awesome to make states in all four events once again. I think the best part for me, honestly, was making states in our 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams. It’s another opportunity to get another group of kids up to states and have them experience that. To place second in our 4×100 relay yesterday was really quite unexpected. I really had fun with that and was super happy for my teammates. It’s awesome that I can compete and medal in four events at WPIALs.
What made that 4×100 finish so unexpected?
We came into WPIALs ranked sixth, so our goal was to make the top five. When I ran back to see our final time, because I couldn’t see it from where I had my exchange, I saw second on the board and was so excited I started jumping up and down, screaming and trying to find my teammates. There were a lot of very good teams in that event, so it was very surprising. We also set a new school record in the process and beat our old school record that we set earlier in the season.
You’re a seasoned pro, having been to WPIALs all three years. Do you still get stressed or feel nervous at all going into the meet?
Definitely. Although I feel calmer and more prepared for these meets, I still get nervous because it is such a big meet. It’s the only shot to make states, which is what makes me, and I’m sure a lot of other athletes, nervous. Just that thought that if you don’t do what you set out to do, you won’t make states. Other than that, I don’t get too nervous and try not to focus on placement.
What did you do to stay warm all day?
It was the coldest meet of the season we’ve had so far. I was running back and forth between all my events, so I didn’t have a lot of time to sit down, but it helped to keep me warm. I had three jackets on at one point, and I was still freezing. The rain in the morning did not help.
What does it feel like to claim a gold medal in pole vaulting for a third consecutive year?
It feels awesome. I’ve always said that junior year would be the hardest one to get because it’s a high-stress year. A lot of college processes are beginning, so I was happy to come away with the win in pole vault because I was nervous in the week leading up to the event. Even though I didn’t hit the marks I wanted to because it was so cold, I was still happy to get the placement I did in all my events.
You also tried breaking the WPIAL record of 12-7. What occurred to prevent you from getting the mark?
It’s hard to vault in the cold. Your body is cold, your muscles get tight and the poles get stiffer, so we vaulters prefer warmer weather to cold. It effects how fast the pole moves. All those factors play into what happened (Thursday), but I was happy to be consistent and come away with 12 feet and that will help my confidence as I go into states next weekend.
How do you condition to make sure you’re in peak performance in all four events?
It’s a lot of everything. Pretty much sprint workouts or hill workouts two or three times a week, especially in the offseason training. I do pole vault drills every day, whatever I can get in to improve my technique. I do long jump progress once a week and have a vault day at least once or twice a week. Obviously, strength training and lifting in the offseason just to keep getting stronger and to prevent injuries. Hard work always pays off, and that’s been proven in my showings during the championship season.
How mentally taxing is it?
I think it’s better when I’m running around like crazy. A lot of people think it’s the other way, but it keeps you distracted, so you have less time to think about things. You have to have that mentality that you just have to do it, just have to go.
What are your updated personal bests?
Pole vault is now 12-7. Long jump is 18-2.25. Our 4×100 relay just ran 50.25. Our best 4×400 time has been 4:08
I know you hold school records in the pole vault and the long jump. Did you set a record in the 4×100?
Yes. The 50.25 is our fastest and a new school record.
How close are you to holding all four? How far away are you in the 4×400?
We’re six seconds off the school record, which has stood for 40 years. That time is really good at 4:02. We’ve been chasing after that, and I know the other girls are very motivated to try and get that record. It would be nice to get, but extremely tough.
Other than your performance at WPIALs, what were some other notable highlights for you this season?
Getting 12-6 for the first time at TSTCA, that was pretty cool. That was a big PR for me, just to get over that mark. Getting 12-7 at one of our home dual meets. For long jump, when I jumped 18-2.25 at the Butler Invitational. I went to Penn Relays this year, and that was a cool experience overall, getting to compete in that historic stadium and compete against a very talented field.
You’re heading back to states where you grabbed a gold medal in pole vault last year. How excited are you to get back, and what did you learn from last year that will help you prepare this year?
I would like to get gold again this year. I know I said last year that it would take a PR to do so, and I firmly believe that again for this year. I also said that scratches were going to matter last year, and they did. That’s what helped me win last year and will play a big factor in helping me claim gold again. There’s a large group across the state that can get over 11-6 so the competition is going to be really good.
What goals did you set at the start of the year?
My main goals are always to PR. One of my big goals is to always get back to WPIALs and get gold in pole vault. It’s been a goal of mine since freshman year. Another goal for this year was to hit 13 feet. That’s a big mark, and I would like to get that at some point. Winning at states was another goal of mine.
What are some of your favorite hobbies?
I’m a big baker. I know that’s probably not a normal track athlete hobby, but I really like baking. I play the saxophone and am in marching band. I like traveling and hiking.
What are you looking forward to most about summer?
Traveling. I’ve been wanting to go on vacation for a while now. I really want to go to some national parks this summer. I don’t exactly know what my parents are planning, but I’m excited to find out.
Any national park you are really excited to see?
I love Yosemite in California. We’ve been there before. It’s beautiful and in my opinion is one of the best national parks. I would really like to go to Glacier National Park some day and Grand Teton in Wyoming. We had been to Grand Teton before for a little bit, but I would love to go again.
Miles Duncan
School: Riverview
Class: Junior
Sport: Baseball
Claim to fame: Duncan came through in the clutch to help No. 4 Riverview (13-6) defeat No. 13 Frazier, 5-4, at West Mifflin in the first round of the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Duncan doubled in the tying run. Then in the eighth inning, once again with two outs, he walked it off with an RBI single. The Raiders will take on No. 5 Laurel in the quarterfinals at North Allegheny on Monday.
What were you thinking as you stepped into the batter’s box in the bottom of the eighth?
I was ready to be aggressive. I usually do better in my at-bats when I’m aggressive in the count. I knew it was a lefty pitcher and was expecting a fastball.
Where did the game-winning hit end up falling?
It landed in the left-center gap.
What was the celebration like with your teammates?
It was awesome. We only have 12 guys on the team, so we’re a very tight-knit group, so it was very special to have all the guys around me. That win took everybody. I truly unforgettable feeling.
What was your approach at the plate when you doubled in the bottom of the sixth?
I was also aggressive. I down two strikes after fouling off the first couple of pitches. I was out in front of his curve ball, but still remained aggressive, but remained poised.
Where did that ball end up traveling?
It hit off the fence in left field. So close to a home run.
Do you consider yourself to be clutch?
I’d like to say yes, but I don’t think I am. That was the first walk-off I’ve had in my career.
How did it feel to come through for your team?
It was amazing and I was extremely happy. I’ve worked a lot for moments like that. One of my teammates’ dad before the at-bat said I was built for this and that got me fired up as I stepped into the box in the eighth.
What factors led to the game being so close?
Typically you see a lot of low-scoring games in the playoffs and 5-4 isn’t all that high scoring, but the bats were hot for both teams. There was great pitching on both sides and clean fielding. Frazier hit very well, but we hit that much better.
What position do you play?
I catch and if I don’t catch, I play in the outfield.
Where do you hit in the order?
Second. At the beginning of the year, I batted in the four spot, but as we got towards the end of the year and the playoffs began, I move to the two hole.
Next up for you guys is Laurel. What do you know about them?
Every player and coach have done their scouting. We’ve watched a lot of games. They’re going to come at us with a pretty solid pitcher, but we’ll be ready for him. We also have a great pitcher going for us, so it’s going to be a good game We’re going to bring the bats and handle their pitcher well.
They score a lot of runs. What will be the key to keeping their bats in check?
We have to make sure we play clean in the field behind our guy. If we do that, we’ll be perfectly fine.
What goals did you set for yourself at the start of the season?
To bat over .400, I wanted to have a home run on the season and to win a WPIAL championship.
Have you gotten that home run yet?
I have not. I was hoping that shot in the sixth against Frazier was going to be it.
Is Lukas your brother?
Yes, he’s my twin brother.
You being a catcher and him being a pitcher, how solid are you two as a battery when you get that opportunity?
I think it’s a pretty special thing — being on the same wavelength, me knowing what’s best for him and him knowing that he can trust me. It’s something you don’t see a lot of and something I take a lot of pride in us being a battery.
What are your favorite hobbies?
It might sound weird, but I like to sew. I know how to make pillows, hats and pants and other stuff. I like to do that.
What would be the one meal you would want to eat for the rest of your life?
Some sort of pasta, maybe in a vodka sauce, or chicken parmesan.
Do you hope to play in college?
That is definitely a goal of mine.
What are you looking forward to most about summer?
Summer baseball is an exciting time and hanging out with my friends, especially hanging out with the team and building that culture of family.
If you could vacation anywhere, where would you want to go?
Australia is on my bucket list. I think it would be pretty cool to surf down there.