Cleveland High School senior Mackenzie Lehnus has spent most of her life on a soccer field, but she says the game has given her far more than wins and goals. After 12 years in the sport, the varsity standout for the Lady Tigers credits her parents and her teammates for shaping the way she competes and carries herself.
“My parents … never failed to be there to support me in everything I do, and taught me the value of hard work, discipline, and staying humble,” Lehnus said. “Their encouragement pushes me to be the best version of myself on and off of the field.” That mindset shows up daily at practice, in the classroom and in the way she leads as a senior.
Lehnus, whose favorite player is retired U.S. women’s national team star Julie Ertz, said she admires Ertz’s “hard work and dedication on and off the field” and tries to model that approach. At Cleveland, that starts with investing in the team around her.
“I enjoy the bond and memories that I have with each of my teammates,” Lehnus said. “We all work towards the same goal and supporting one another makes being a part of the team special.” She still looks up to former teammate Grace Vanwagner, a senior during Lehnus’ freshman season, who “set a great example of leadership, dedication, and always pushed everyone to be their best.”
On the field, Lehnus understands every role matters. She said goalkeeper is the toughest position because “there is a lot of pressure, and one mistake can change the rest of the game.” Off the field, the senior English lover—who enjoyed being challenged by former teacher Mrs. Head—spends her free time with family and friends, reading, listening to music and relaxing when she can.
Lehnus said athletics has taught her discipline, time management, teamwork and how to handle adversity, lessons she plans to carry well beyond her final season at Cleveland.
