Mackenzie McDonald - Oakdale High School
Full Name: Mackenzie Taylor McDonald
Age: 17
Parents: Angie & Scott McDonald
Siblings: Mallory Ewald & Madison McDonald
Year in School: Senior
School: Oakdale High School; Oakdale, CA
Coach: Heather Viera / Brittani Irwin
Instagram: @kenzieetayylor
Twitter: @kenzieetayylor
In the Valley Oak League, not only is the Oakdale High School football team known for a tradition of championships, but its cheerleaders are known for having some of the most show stopping, precisely choreographed, entertaining halftime performances in the area.
17-year-old Mackenzie “Kenzie” Taylor started her cheerleading career ten years ago at the age of 7. “I was born in Oakdale and my parents both went to Oakdale High. Cheerleading is somewhat of a tradition – my Mom and older sister were both cheerleaders. I started with the Oakdale Stampede (youth league),” she says. But what inspires Kenzie to “cheer her heart out”? That’s easy. “Knowing that Oakdale Cheer has a reputation to uphold and knowing that I represent that are my biggest motivators. That’s what is so great about our team, we want to be the best and we bring out the best in each other. I also find inspiration in being better than who I was yesterday and am constantly competing with myself.”
Most people don’t consider cheer a sport. How much time do you and your team dedicate to practicing and perfecting your routines/stunts? How important is it to keep in good shape as a cheerleader?
We practice Monday through Thursday pretty much year-round for at least two hours each day. We also practice before games to perfect our performances. Staying in good shape is key to being a good cheerleader; as much as we are not looked at as athletes, we need to have the bodies of athletes to maintain strength and momentum during our stunts and routines.
How do you successfully juggle the demands of school, practice, and games?
As hard as it is to juggle school, practice and games, I just try to manage my time as best as I can and stay focused.
How do you prepare for cheer on and off-season?
I make sure that I get enough exercise, eat well, rest, and drink tons and tons of water.
What are your strengths physically and mentally as a cheerleader?
Physically, cheering for Oakdale requires you to be an athlete. You have to be in good shape and fit. Missing a workout or practice is unacceptable, you really have to be at your best since what we do is done as a team. We rely on each other to perform and execute. When you’re prepared physically, everything mentally falls into place. For me, my strengths mentally and physically are that I will go above and beyond so I don’t let my team down.
What is your philosophy on discipline?
For cheer, it’s very important. Many of the stunts and moves we perform can be dangerous, so being disciplined enough to put safety first, to listen, and practice over and over – are keys to avoiding injury and still being able to put on a good show. Discipline is a huge requirement for our team to remain structured.
What is one word or phrase that you hope your teammates use to describe you?
Hard working.
What is the next step for you as a cheer athlete? What are your plans after high school?
I’m a Senior this year, so after high school, sadly, I’ll be done with cheer and plan to pursue a degree and career in Psychology.
What are some of your other outside interests/hobbies?
I love spending any free time I have with my friends and I’m interested in cosmetology.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My Dad!
What is the biggest lesson that cheer has taught you and how can you apply that to real life?
Cheer has taught me to work hard and thrive under unfavorable conditions. I’m not always going to get my way and cheer has helped me to realize that.
What is your most memorable moment of the season?
My most memorable moment of the season is definitely the kickoff at the game against Central Catholic. It hit me that, as a Senior, it was my last year of cheer…it was a bittersweet moment.
What is your biggest regret of the season?
My biggest regret of the season is that I just didn’t take it all in sooner. I wish I would’ve realized earlier that this is my last year of cheer. It just seemed so surreal and still does.
What is the biggest lesson that you’ve learned from your coaches this year?
Probably the biggest lessons are how to have self-discipline and take responsibility.
3 words to describe yourself:
Driven
Committed
Tenacious
3 words that others would use to describe you:
Level-headed
Organized
Thoughtful
3 little known facts about you:
I was actually terrible at cheer when I started as an 11 year old
I’ve had multiple ribs pop out this year due to stunting
I had a really bad knee injury my Freshman year that made cheer 10-times harder when I returned, but I was able to overcome it
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself with a family of my own and flourishing in my career!
What advice can you give to someone who is thinking about trying out for cheer, but has no dance/gymnastics/cheer experience? Is it possible for people in this situation to learn what others have been doing for years?
Do not be afraid to do it! Some people don’t have the natural abilities for cheer and that’s ok, they can be learned. You have to really want it and be passionate about it. That passion and drive will push you to improve. It is very much possible for people in this situation to learn what others have been doing for years with hard work, dedication, and patience.