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FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Mackenzie Lovett, South Putnam
Mackenzie is a senior at South Putnam and participates in one sport, golf.
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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?
Mackenzie Lovett: “Sports are definitely very important to me. I take sports seriously and have always been passionate about them. I grew up playing sports and will hopefully continue to play sports beyond school. It’s definitely a learning experience. If you mess up, keep trying and don’t take anything for granted.”
BG: Talk about golf.
ML: “(Golf) is definitely a mentally challenging sport. I started my freshman year and struggled, but I’ve definitely improved a lot. It’s a nice sport to play.”
BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?
ML: “Having to yell, ‘FORE’ during golf is very embarrassing.”
BG: What does your game day routine look like?
ML: “I try to listen to my playlist, clear my head and mentally prepare myself for the game.”
BG: You mentioned that you started playing golf as a freshman. You’re now a four-year player as a senior with teammates that are in a similar spot of just beginning as golfers. What advice do you give them, having once been in their position?
ML: “I tell them to keep working hard at it and to remember they’re just starting. If they’re playing bad, I remind them that they have a lot of potential in the future. I was is in that spot once, played bad as well but have worked hard and, now that I’m a senior, feel I have the potential to see some of the goals I set out to accomplish.”
BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?
ML: “Not much. I try to attend different athletic events when I can. I was in Spanish Club and did yearbook last year.”
BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?
ML: “I like to spend a lot of time with family. I like being outside and am very passionate about kids, so I babysit a lot and help out others.”
BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?
ML: “I try to find times to watch movies and shows, though if I don’t get to them, it’s not a big deal. I have a playlist of songs I listen to with country music in it.”
BG: Are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc.?
ML: “I’d probably catch up on social media first, then try to visit my cousins and spend time with family.”
BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?
ML: “I’d like to try a different sport than we have here, something like rugby.”
BG: What is your biggest fear?
ML: “Puke. I hate seeing throw up.”
BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?
ML: “My favorite food is chicken, so I’d pop some chicken nuggets and fries into the air firer and go with it.
BG: Do you have any pets?
ML: “I had a dog, a mini Aussiedoodle named Luna.”
BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?
ML: “If my golf clubs were at home, then I’d get those.”
BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?
ML: “Hard-working. I feel like I’m always trying to keep myself busy, not give myself a lot of free time and work every weekend. I don’t leave myself time to hang out with friends much.”
BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?
ML: “I had the opportunity to go on a trip to London, Paris and Normandy over spring break through EF Tours. It was a cool experience to see the different cultures, the different foods and the language barriers.”
BG: What was your favorite school field trip?
ML: “In fifth grade, I went to Chicago, which was fun.”
BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?
ML: “I feel it’s very important. Family comes first, then classmates. I expect support from my family, not as much my classmates, but they are there when I need it.”
BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.
ML: “My freshman year was hard academically and athletically. I played golf at Northview my freshman year; there were a lot of seniors better than me, so I didn’t get to play any varsity golf. Sophomore and junior year I felt I really succeeded and got the opportunity to play varsity golf.”
BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?
ML: “Something at Northview they have is cosmetology school, which would be a good experience to have at South Putnam.”
BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?
ML: “I would like to do something with kids, something along the lines of a speech pathologist or occupational therapist, which are my top two choices right now.”
BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?
ML: “Sometimes, but you have to put that first. If you can’t keep up with schoolwork, I don’t think you’d be cut out to be an athlete. You have to manage that and get everything accomplished.”
BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?
ML: “Spanish has really helped me and it’s been cool to learn another language with Kate Hudson teaching it. That might also help me later in life.”
BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?
ML: “I’d probably feel more comfortable in a suburban area more than a rural area.”
BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?
ML: “Yes. It’s bittersweet. I feel I’d miss some things and others I could care less about.”