Lady Buck juggling tennis and golf
Last week, Mackenzie Preston helped Smackover’s golf team finish third in the 3A State Girls Tournament. This week, she will exchange her golf club for a tennis racquet and compete in the 3A State Tennis Tournament.
It’s been a hectic Fall season for the sophomore, who has played both sports simultaneously. Preston admitted it hasn’t been easy.
“It has honestly been kind of difficult playing tennis and golf at the same time because I have to go from one sport to the other in the heat,” she said. “Also, I miss a lot of school during the week since both sports are going on at the same time.”
Easy or not, Preston still managed to excel. She won the singles championship in the 3A 8 District Tournament and qualified for the state tournament for the second straight year.
“I was not at all surprised at Mackenzie's win at
District because of her skill level, positive attitude, and work ethic,” said Smackover coach
Sonia Barker. “Mackenzie was able to compete last year as a freshman and hold her own, but she has matured so much as a person and player this year that it was no surprise that she earned the championship spot in that division.
“The only thing that I would say ‘surprised’ me was how determined and eager she was to play and play well after having competed the two days prior in the State Golf tournament.” Playing two sports at once required extra effort on Preston’s part and a lot of cooperation between the two coaches – Barker and Smackover golf coach Mike Poff.
“Coach Poff was amenable to our unique logistics of adjusting our practice times to accommodate our shared players. Karlie Willett, who played in the other Smackover doubles team with Kaylee Manasco at District, is also a dual player who has split her time between both practices,” said Barker. “I believe what made it work was the players' willingness to devote the time and effort to both sports and the good working relationship between coaches at our 3A school.”
Preston went 5-2 in singles during the season, although she missed
Continued from Page 1B two tournaments due to her golf commitment. Also a softball standout in the spring, work ethic and an affection for competition make her a coach’s dream.
“Managing a player who is intrinsically motivated to get better and who wants to not only compete but come out on top is not a difficult task, and that is the kind of player Mackenzie is,” said Barker. “She also had help preparing this season as Marley Shairrick, our other singles girl, made large strides and challenged Mackenzie as they both improved over the course of the season.”
As a freshman, Preston lost in the first round of last year’s state tournament. That loss will serve as motivation this week.
“My goal for state is to get farther than I did last year,” she said. “Last year I only played one match and I lost so this year I’m hoping to get further. I am very excited for state since I won district and I am very excited for my chances in state.”