By Olivia Jones
Chisholm High School junior Makenna Ridgway may be one of the quietest players her coach has ever led, but her presence on the softball field speaks volumes. A two-year varsity starter heading into her junior season, Makenna has built a reputation for consistency, hard work, and character that mirrors the foundation laid by her parents.
Makenna plays primarily at second base, occasionally stepping in at third when needed. She admits her biggest motivation comes from her teammates, not wanting to let them down during key moments.
“They’re always there for me, so I want to be there for them,” she shared.
Her parents have also played a huge role, reminding her to stay calm after mistakes and pushing her to keep working both in and out of season.
In the classroom, Mrs. Jones has had the greatest impact, teaching Makenna that even on tough days, it’s possible to push through and achieve goals. That lesson has been translated well to softball, where grit and determination are essential.
“Softball is a mental game. If you make a mistake, you learn from it and move forward,” she explained.
Her highlight moment so far came when she earned a varsity starting spot as a freshman, an accomplishment that fueled her drive to keep improving. She especially enjoys competing with teammate Lois Alcorn, who challenges her to keep pushing and provides constructive criticism to make her better.
Makenna also plays travel ball with Oklahoma Athletics – Bezdicek and is active in NHS. Off the field, she follows Rylie Boone for her humor and honesty, while on the field she looks up to Tiara Jennings for her fiery leadership.
Her pregame hype song, “Dark Horse” by Katy Perry, gets the entire team energized. Looking ahead, her dream is to play at Oklahoma Christian University, continuing to represent her school, community, and sport with quiet determination.
