WESTLOCK – Mackenzie Stevens is in Grade 11, but she’s already making a name for herself at R.F. Staples Secondary School as a standout in both badminton and volleyball.
Over the past two years, Stevens has excelled in district, zone, and provincial badminton competitions — becoming the first R.F. Staples student in a decade to qualify for provincials and finishing 12th overall in Alberta.
In April 2025, Stevens won gold at zones before advancing to the Alberta Badminton Provincial Championship in Red Deer on May 2 and 3. Competing in the singles category, she placed fourth in Pool B — the intermediate division — against top athletes from across the province.
“There is a lot of really good girls there and good competition who definitely [have] been practicing since they were really young,” she said.
During the game that earned her the gold, Stevens said her focus remained sharp despite fatigue setting in. That mindset, she said, is something she’s developed through sport — a kind of “mental toughness” that keeps her going when things get hard.
Stevens has experienced both the highs and lows of competitive sports. She said wins bring a sense of pride and reward for her hard work, while losses teach resilience and focus on future goals.
Stevens credits her mom, Jessica Stevens — who also coaches at R.F. Staples — as a major influence on her athletic journey.
“I didn’t want to do any of the sports stuff before and she pushed me,” Stevens said. “For that, I’m really grateful because I feel mentally tough and like I’m more of an extrovert cause I used to be really shy. So it’s definitely helped me find new friends.”
Her athletic achievements don’t stop with badminton. Stevens is also a key member of the R.F. Staples volleyball team, which brought home a bronze medal from provincials this year.
As she enters her senior year, Stevens hopes to return to provincials in badminton singles and continue playing volleyball at the university level.
