Senior Mackenzie Boggess has etched her name into Clover High School’s history as one of its most decorated track and field athletes. From 2022 to 2025, she showcased unparalleled versatility and dominance, competing in eight unique events and amassing an astonishing 133 podium finishes, including 94 first-place victories. Holding school records in the long jump, triple jump, and 100 meter hurdles, Mackenzie is now preparing to take her talents to Liberty University on a track and field scholarship. In this exclusive cover story and Q&A, we dive into her remarkable career, unforgettable moments, and the advice she shares with the next generation of Clover athletes.
A Stellar Career: By the Numbers
Mackenzie’s versatility shines through her participation in eight events across indoor and outdoor seasons: 100 Meter Dash, 100 Meter Hurdles, 400 Meter Hurdles, Long Jump, Triple Jump, 60 Meter Dash, 55 Meter Hurdles, and 60 Meter Hurdles. Her podium finishes—1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in finals and prelims—total an impressive 133, broken down as follows:
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• 1st Place: 94 finishes
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• 2nd Place: 25 finishes
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• 3rd Place: 14 finishes
Event Highlights
• 100 Meter Hurdles: 29 first-place finishes, including Clover High Home Meet #1 (15.71) and Northwestern Home Meet #4 (15.96) in 2025, plus a standout 1st at the 2024 Tri Country Championships (16.50w).
• Long Jump: 24 first-place finishes, with 2025 highlights at SCHSL 5A - D1 Upper State (5.66m) and Blazer Twilight Invitational (5.7m).
• Triple Jump: 24 first-place finishes, including a remarkable 12.23m at the 2025 All American Track Classic and 11.5m at SCHSL 5A - D1 Upper State.
• 400 Meter Hurdles: 4 first-place finishes, such as the 2025 Tri County Championships (1:18.56).
• 60 Meter Hurdles: A 1st-place finish at the 2024 Tryon Field Event Invitational (9.99).
While Mackenzie competed in the 100 Meter Dash, 60 Meter Dash, and 55 Meter Hurdles, she did not secure podium finishes in these events, underscoring her primary dominance in hurdles and jumps. Her 2025 season was particularly exceptional, with multiple first-place finishes at high-profile meets, cementing her status as a Clover legend.
Q&A with Boggess
In this exclusive Q&A, Mackenzie reflects on her proudest moments, the challenges she overcame, and her preparation for the next chapter at Liberty University.
Q: You’re one of Clover’s most decorated track and field athletes, holding school records in the long jump, triple jump, and 100 hurdles. What was the moment or performance in your high school career that you’re most proud of, and why?
A: My proudest moment is when I jumped 40’ 1.5” in triple jump. This was a huge PR for me and a mark that I’ve been aiming to hit.
Q: Competing in multiple events like long jump, triple jump, and 100 hurdles requires versatility and discipline. How did you manage the physical and mental demands of training for these different events?
A: I start by planning out my practices for the week, setting aside a day for each event. I have a day for sprint work, hurdles, and two days for jumping, often adding weight training before school. To help mentally and with physical recovery, I listen to my body and take a few days or even a week off to rest and recover.
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Q: Your 2025 season was phenomenal, with first-place finishes at meets like the SCHSL 5A - D1 Upper State and All American Track Classic. How do you prepare mentally for high-stakes meets like these?
A: I focus on staying calm and visualizing my performance. I remind myself of all the hard work I’ve put in and trust my training. Before a big meet, I like to listen to music to get in the zone and keep my nerves in check.
Q: You’re heading to Liberty University on a track and field scholarship. What excites you most about competing at the collegiate level, and how do you plan to adapt to the new challenges?
A: I’m most excited to meet my new teammates and to be in the new environment. In order to adapt to the new schedule and challenges, I plan on settling into a routine to make sure I’m on top of everything.
Q: Throughout your time at Clover, who has been the biggest influence or support system in your track and field journey, and how did they help you succeed?
A: Honestly, there is not one specific person. My family, and more specifically my parents, have been a huge part with helping get me to practices, paying and traveling for club teams and meets, and just supporting me and encouraging. My coaches have also been a big influence by teaching me technique and encouraging me.
Q: Breaking school records is no small feat. Can you share a specific challenge you faced in one of your events and how you overcame it to achieve that record?
A: My sophomore year, I broke the long jump school record and didn’t come close to that mark my junior year. This was very frustrating for me, but I didn’t give up. I began weightlifting, focusing on speed work, and joined a club team. When I came back for my senior year, I broke the school record at one of the first few meets.
Q: What role has the Clover track and field team culture played in your development as an athlete and as a person?
A: Clover track helped me to get into the sport and fall in love with it. My freshman year, one of the coaches put me in contact with a hurdle coach and told me that I have a shot at running in college. From then on, my goal was to compete at the collegiate level. The athletes and coaching staff throughout my years on the team have taught me lessons within the sport and encouraged/supported me and my dreams.
Q: Looking back, what’s one lesson you’ve learned from your high school track and field experience that you’ll carry with you to Liberty and beyond?
A: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the bad days, whether it’s a bad practice or bad meet, do not define you or your athletic abilities. If you push through and keep working hard, the results will come.
Q: As you prepare to leave Clover and pass the torch, what advice would you give to track and field underclassmen who aspire to follow in your footsteps?
A: My advice for underclassmen is to listen to your coaches, get into the weight room, and no matter the event you compete in, you should focus on speed work.
A Lasting Legacy
Mackenzie Boggess’s journey is a testament to dedication, resilience, and the power of a supportive community. With 94 first-place finishes, school records in three events, and a scholarship to Liberty University, she leaves Clover High School as a true track and field icon. Her story will continue to inspire current and future athletes to chase their dreams with passion and perseverance.
Posted by Coach Young on May 20, 2025