A-K Valley high school athletes of the week for May 18, 2025: Freeport’s Mackenzie Magness and Apollo-Ridge’s Jaden McCray

By: Ted Sarneso
Saturday, May 17, 2025 | 9:05 PM

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Mackenzie Magness

School: Freeport

Class: Sophomore

Sport: Track and field

Claim to fame: Magness came in as the top seed as she looked to defend her WPIAL Class 2A title in the pole vault. She went on to win her second gold medal in the event, vaulting to a personal record 12 feet, 4 inches. Her mark bested second place by 2 feet.

How did you get started in pole vaulting?

I did gymnastics for eight years, so already having that type of strength was a plus. My school did a mini track camp in sixth grade, and that really got me into it. I tired pole vault and found out I was really good at it, even for a sixth grader. My dad also pole vaulted in high school and used to coach pole vault, so he was a big influence.

How did it feel to clear a personal best?

It always feels great. Every time I PR, it feels great. But clearing 12-4 felt especially great heading into states. Doing it at WPIALs was great. At that point, I had already won the meet, but just to have that on top of the victory, I could not be happier.

What’s it feel like to win a gold medal in the event in your first two years?

It really boosted my confidence, knowing that I could do this. I’ve been consistent the last two years, and that was a really big part as I went into WPIALs this year. Having the right mindset really helped and hard work really pays off.

You also tried breaking the WPIAL record of 12-7 but fell short of 12-8 twice. How did it feel to come close?

When I was going for 12-8, I had to go up a bigger pole. Not saying that was completely the reason that I missed it, but it did make it more difficult to accomplish. But I needed to do that anyway to try and clear it.

How eager are you to get back at it next year and maybe break that record?

Everyone kept reminding me that I have two more years to break that record. Hopefully, it will happen.

How thrilled were you to get four medals this year?

I was super excited for hitting my PR in the pole vault and for PR-ing in the triple jump earlier in the day. I had so many emotions. Then I PR’d in the long jump and helped the 4-by-400 relay team PR as well.

Do you have any school records?

Yes, I do. I’ve had the pole vault school record since freshman year. I also have the school record for long jump, which I got at WPIALs, and that was another PR.

What’s your schedule look like for states as you compete in four events?

Long jump is in the morning on Friday. Four-by-400 relay will be Friday afternoon. Pole vault is Saturday morning, and triple jump Saturday afternoon. I’ll be busy, but it’s definitely worth it.

What are your personal bests in your four events?

12-4 in pole vault. Triple jump is 35-9. and I got that at WPIALs. Long jump is 17 8 3/4.

What did you learn from states last year, and how much more prepared are you this year?

Learned a lot freshman year. Realized how big the meet actually is, just looking up at that crowd at Shippensburg. Those stands are huge. It’s definitely a nerve-wracking experience at first, but I feel all the work I’ve done, building my confidence and knowing I can compete with these other girls, it’s going to be good this year. Last year, I finished 11th, which is OK, but I prefer to finish a lot higher.

What do you do before an event to get locked in and focused?

I love listening to music. Kind of stay in my own headspace. I don’t like to do a lot of talking, try to stay focused on what’s important for me to win.

What were your goals at the start of the season?

I’ve had the goal to clear 12 feet since last year. I really didn’t think I was going to be a long jumper but ended up breaking the school record. My goal for triple jump was 35 feet.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I love to bake, especially chocolate chip cookies. I also love making bracelets, even before meets to keep my mind off of thinking about competition. It’s a therapeutic activity for me.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

History. It’s my favorite subject. I love learning about world history. I will be in AP History next year, which I’m really excited about.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?

My parents/family. They’re my rock. I love them. My dad helps with in coaching, and my mom helps keep me mentally in the game.

Favorite meal?

Anything with protein, like chicken and rice. I also make these Korean beef bowls, and I love to eat ramen.

If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why?

I have a playlist, and this song is always the last song. It’s called “Man at the Garden” by Kendrick Lamar. It’s more of a calm song and it helps get me focused.

If you could wake up tomorrow fluent in two other languages, which would you choose?

French because I’m currently taking that in school, and the other would be Spanish. I’d love to travel to those places one day.

Would you rather be invisible or be able to read minds?

I’d rather be invisible because you can go do whatever you want without anyone seeing you.

What are you looking forward to most about summer?

It’s a track related thing. I’m signed up to do a decathlon in August. I love watching the multi-event athletes compete. Really excited to train for that and learn some new events.

Jaden McCray

School: Apollo-Ridge

Class: Junior

Sport: Track and field

Claim to fame: McCray bested the field with a toss of 164 feet in the javelin at the WPIAL Class 2A individual championships Wednesday at Slippery Rock University. His throw was the second of his three attempts, and it propelled him to the top of the podium, where he claimed a gold medal.

How stoked were you to ascend to the top of the podium?

Very, very excited. I wasn’t expecting that. I knew I had a chance at second. The No. 1 seed had thrown 176 feet as his best this season. So I was definitely surprised when it happened.

How hard did you work in the offseason to best your fifth-place finish at WPIALs last year to win gold this year?

The offseason really wasn’t what did it for me. I broke my arm during football season, so I came back right at the start of track season and worked really hard, practiced every day and focused on javelin. My 164-foot toss was a 20-foot increase in my personal best from the beginning of the season.

What was going through your head as you made your two attempts? How nervous were you?

I was a little stressed out for my first couple of throws. I showed up a little late to javelin because I was warming up for shot put when they called the start of the javelin throwing. When I got there, they had already passed my name once, so I had to get my warm-up throws in during the actual competition. When I got there, a kid from Riverview already threw 160 feet, and I knew I would have to get a PR off just to have a shot. My first three throws got me to a 153, which sent me to the finals. I was able to relax from there. Then in the finals another kid hit a 160, and I thought it wasn’t going to happen for me, but I took a breath and said I wasn’t going to lose.

Is there anything you do to get into the zone before a competition?

I like to relax, try not to think about the competition too much. Overthinking it leads me to tense up or have a bad throw. If you practice hard enough and prepare, there’s nothing to be worried about. Just need to trust in your training.

Do you think that being a little late to the javelin at WPIALs helped you to not think too much?

Yeah, it definitely helped. If I’m sitting there warming up for too long and watching the competition, sometimes it will throw me off. But if I go up there without having watched anyone else throw, and do what I’ve practiced, it is a huge plus for me.

What’s your personal best in the shotput?

42 feet, 6 1/2 inches. I set that mark at the team semifinals at Greensburg Central Catholic.

Do you own any school records?

No, not yet.

What are you thinking/feeling as you get prepared for states?

I think I have more to show. I’ve been working with my coaches a lot and working towards that aim every day. I’m excited. I went to states last year, so I know what to expect.

What will this week leading up to states look like for you?

Sunday, I’ll work with a javelin coach I’ve been working with. I’ll train every day until I have to leave on Thursday. Focusing on my mobility and my block on my left side. I’m going to try and get the angle of my javelin a little bit higher than what it has been. Not trying to get too many hard throws in, save my arm for the competition.

What goals did you set for yourself this season?

I wanted to win WPIALs for javelin and get back to states.

What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I like football and weight lifting.

What is one hobby you would like to try?

I’m really stuck on football, track and lifting. I do those things all the time, and I love it.

Do you have a favorite subject in school?

Anatomy. I plan on studying exercise physiology in college.

What are you looking forward to most about summer?

Football 7 on 7s and camp, getting prepared for the season.

Would you rather travel back in time or travel to the future?

Travel back in time to go back and do things a little bit differently, whether that’s in school or in training, just to have a better understanding.

If you had 25 hours a day, how would you spend your extra time?

I’d probably spend that extra hour sleeping. I’m using up my whole day already.

If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

Super speed.

If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

Steak, rice and broccoli.

What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Do things hard and with consistency.

Who inspires you most?

My pap. He’s always believing in me and pushing me to be my best.

Tags: Apollo-Ridge, Freeport