Loudoun County, Va. – In an effort to better recognize student-athletes who positively affect high school sports in Loudoun County, Gymnaze and LoCoSports have teamed up to announce Freedom High School senior Mackenzie Keller as the Gymnaze and LoCoSports Teammate of the Month for October 2021.
Keller posted an impressive October highlighted by a second place finish (19:18) at the Cedar Run District championships on October 20. She ran her fastest time of October—and until that point of the season—at the MileStat.com Invitational on October 16, placing 22nd (19:03). Keller also turned in an 8th place finish at the Glory Days Invitational (19:39) on October 9 and a 20th place finish at Octoberfest (19:14) on October 2.
“Mackenzie consistently shows a positive and energetic attitude, regardless of the situation, and her positivity transfers to the other members of our team,” Freedom head coach Chris Weeks said. “In addition, she puts the team first and is always supporting her teammates through the high and lows that happen throughout a cross country season.”
Keller’s leadership led the Eagles to a fourth place team finish at the 2019 VHSL Class 5 State championships, a second place team finish at the 2021 Cedar Run District championships, and, most recently, to a fifth place team finish at the VHSL Region 6B on November 4, where she turned in her fastest time of the season (18:38).
Her leadership has also been recognized in her earning All-LoCo honors in each of her first three high school cross country seasons in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
“Mackenzie’s biggest impact on our program has been her ability to bring the best out of her teammates and coaches. Kenzie is coachable, dedicated, and a natural leader. She’s always thinking of others and is willing to do the little things to help the program be successful,” Weeks said. “At practices, it is common to see Kenzie supporting her teammates, leading drills, and keeping others on task. She does an amazing job of making practice fun, yet serious at the same time. After talking to other staff members at FHS, it is apparent she is held in high regard. She’s an incredible person, and we are going to miss her next year!”
[adrotate banner=”52″]The Gymnaze and LoCoSports Teammate of the Month is selected from nominations based on student-athletes having a great team-first mentality, hustle, work ethic, attitude and heart.
If you wish to nominate a student-athlete for athlete or teammate of the month, please reach out through our contact form or email us at owl@locosports.info.