MacKenna Truax

To Whom It May Concern, It is a privilege to be asked to write a recommendation for one of the smartest athletes that I have ever had on my roster. MacKenna Truax is a shining example of what you want for a teammate, student and role model. I was lucky enough to be able to work with MacKenna during her 14u (2018-2019) and 18u (2021-2022) seasons. She is an athlete that works hard not just on the field but off of it as well. When it comes to the skill levels that MacKenna is capable of, I have yet to see her find a ceiling. She continues to work on and improve on all aspects of her game. MacKenna is consistent in taking lessons and spends hours of her own time practicing technique on the field and watching games off of the field to improve her game IQ. Miss Truax is a utility player who will shine wherever she is asked to go. She has the speed to play outfield, the quick glove and fast footwork for middle infield and the reach and fearlessness to play the corners. MacKenna's bat is persistent and her hustle helps push singles into doubles. Frequently, she will be the player laying down a bunt that forces a rushed error in an attempt to match her speed out of the box. MacKenna has found herself always being asked to try new positions to help fill in a need for her teams and sees it as a new opportunity to be on the field. While playing for the first season of Resurrection Middle School's Fastpitch team, MacKenna was asked to learn to become a catcher. She quickly learned all she could and became an inspirational duo with the main pitcher for the team. Its moments like that, which inspire younger female athletes to try positions they never thought they could be good enough to try. She puts trust in her coaches to help her succeed and not put her in a position to fail. That inevitably helps the entire team trust in the program and each of her teammates believe they can reach the same goals. It is easy to overlook some of the best qualities that MacKenna brings to a team because her athletic skill and work ethic always speak the loudest. As a coach one of the biggest worries is the social aspects that affect the young women in our programs. We watch as social media distorts their realities and society changes their self-images. While we may be able to try and show each young athlete that they have value and strength, most of the time, it takes their peers lifting them to truly believe it. MacKenna is the first player to reach out when she notices another person having a hard time or struggling. Making it a point to befriend and make-to-feel feel welcome, any other athletes that share the same passion for this game. She has gone through a lot of adversity that should have soured her behavior, yet she continues to behave with compassion and understanding. From being bullied in middle school to having a health scare that sidelined her for a year, MacKenna does not hide those moments from others. Instead, she uses them to relate to her teammates and competitors and show them the grace that she wishes she had been shown. She will be each of her teammates' biggest cheerleader in and out of the dugout. MacKenna is what I hope the future of Fastpitch holds and an asset for any program. She will work for what she wants and help others believe they can do the same thing. I strongly encourage giving MacKenna Truax consideration to your program, she will make any coach proud. Marissa Russell 425-984-4504 Marissa.Russell13@gmail.com NC Sting 2018-2019 Colorado Royals 2021-2022