OATCCC Hall Of Fame
Mackenzie Jo Wills

Mackenzie Jo Wills is a 2008 graduate of Troy Christian High School. During her high school athletic career, she competed as a member of the girls track & field team, the girls diving team and the girls’ basketball team earning 8 varsity letters during her time as a Troy Christian Eagle. Although she was a multi-sport high school athlete, it was during her senior track & field season, coached by Roger Bowen and John Wills, that she emerged as the dominate Ohio high school female pole vaulter. On May 21, 2008, at the OHSAA District Championships at Milton Union she made Ohio track & field history by becoming the first Ohio high school female to clear 13’ in the pole vault breaking the existing Ohio high school state record of 12’9”. One-week later Mackenzie followed up the district title with a regional first place finish then the following week captured an OHSAA Division 3 individual state championship and established a new state meet record of 12’5” in the pole vault. Adding to her already impressive tournament accomplishments, representing “Team Ohio” in the pole vault at the Midwest Meet of Champions she completed her senior track & field season and career with a 12’9” vault capturing 1st place. In recognition of her performance, she was named the Female Field Event Star of Stars at the Midwest Meet. Prior to the 2008 season Mackenzie qualified to the OHSAA Girls D3 Track & Field Championships placing 4th in 2005 and 7th in 2006, she was a 2-time Regional Runner-Up (2005, 2006) and a 2-time District Runner-Up (2005, 2006). Mackenzie finished her high school career earning 3 All-Ohio honors and 3 Academic All-Ohio honors, in addition to being named the 2008 Ohio High School Girls Field Event Player of the Year. Upon graduation she continued her track & field career by signing with the University of Kansas. While at Kansas she was named the 2009 Freshman Field Event Athlete of the Year and earned Outdoor Big 12 Track & Field honors with her Big 12 Outdoor Championship 8th place finish of 12’2” in the pole vault. In 2010 Mackenzie transferred to Samford University continuing her collegiate track & field career where she placed 2nd in the pole vault with a vault of 12’1.5” in the Southern Conference Championships. Then in 2011 she transferred to Wilmington College continuing her collegiate career where she captured the 2011 Ohio Athletic Conference Indoor and Outdoor Conference Championship in the pole vault with a 12’ 1.5” best vault earning her All-Conference honors for both seasons. While at Wilmington College Mackenzie was a 2011 Division III Indoor & Outdoor Pole Vault National Qualifier. While wearing the forest green and gold uniform of Troy Christian High School Mackenzie Wills truly helped stimulate interest, elevate respect and encourage growth in the pole vault and girls track & field across the State of Ohio. In recognition of her record breaking and history making track & field accomplishments the OATCCC is honored to recognize Mackenzie Jo Wills as a 2026 OATCCC Hall of Fame Inductee. Congratulations Mackenzie!