Taggatz, left, is an anchor for SPASH’s cross country team.
Compiled by Brian Kalish
October 25, 2012
Stevens Point– The CWS Spotlight searched out SPASH senior MacKenzie Taggatz. Taggatz is asenior on the SPASH cross country team, which will be competing at state on Saturday. Taggatz also plays basketball for the Panthers.
CWS: What are some of the classes you’re taking at SPASH this year?
Taggatz: I have AP lit, AP writing, pre calculus, Holocaust, ceramics, ancient civilization and advanced painting and drawing.
CWS: Who is your favorite teacher and why is he/she your favorite?
Taggatz: Crystal Holmbeck is my favorite. She’s my AP lit teacher. I think my writing has really improved in her class. Her intelligence really shows in class and she’s very eloquent and easy to learn from. I appreciate being in her class a lot.
CWS: What are your plans for your post-SPASH life?
Taggatz: As of right now, I’m really interested in the University of Minnesota. I’m not really sure about my running career—whether I do it competitively or not, but running will definitely be a part of my life. I’m thinking about eventually going into psychology.
CWS: What is the most exciting sports contest you have ever been a part of?
Taggatz: I would say just this past weekend at the cross country sectional. It was just a great feeling. I have a lot of younger teammates and it wasn’t so much just pride in myself crossing the finish line, but it was pride in seeing my teammates accomplish that kind of success. It was a great feeling as a leader and a teammate. And we’re going to state, which has always been a dream and a goal.
CWS: What is something about you that people might not know or that might surprise people about you?
Taggatz: In sixth and seventh grade, I actually struggled with an eating disorder. It’s something that I don’t really talk about that much, but it definitely influenced me as a person. I’ve been able to grow from it and it makes me appreciate being able to get out there on the course and have the gift to be able to run.
CWS: What is your favorite sport to play and why?
Taggatz: I think in the mix of the season (either cross country or basketball), I love what I’m doing, but I think that cross country is the one thing that sticks out, and the one that I’ve learned the most from. It’s helped me develop as a person.
CWS: Who is someone in your life who has inspired you? How has this person inspired you?
Taggatz: I would definitely say my brothers. I can’t say one over the other, but just their success and work ethic has had a huge influence on me. They’ve been incredibly supportive.
CWS: What is the best thing about being a student athlete at SPASH?
Taggatz: The tradition and the fact that we do have very strong athletic teams. The boys and girls basketball teams last year got the title of being academic all state for having the highest GPA as a team. I mean, that’s awesome. I think that when you can achieve things athletically while keeping up in the classroom, that says something. It’s definitely a school-wide pride.
CWS: Finally, pancakes or waffles?
Taggatz: Waffles. They’re kind of a rare delicacy. I’m not much of a breakfast person, but the crispiness—pancakes just get all soggy, so waffles are much better.
