Boesel is a Record-Setter, On and Off the Field
From Spurs & Feathers
It’s hard to get one by Mackenzie Boesel; whether it’s a ground ball in the infield, a fastball at the plate, or a challenge in the classroom. In addition to being a Second Team All-SEC second baseman for South Carolina’s softball team, the graduate student is the program’s first three-time Academic All-American and has been a straight-A student every semester on campus.
“The biggest thing is time management,” said Boesel, a Yorba Linda, Calif, native. “I know that’s kind of a cliché. We’re so busy all the time. You really have to plan your schedule, get things done and don’t procrastinate. You just have to find the little spaces of time to do what needs to be done.
“I think I get it from my dad (Terry). He’s very structured and organized. I developed a love for lists and checking things off. That really satisfies me. I’m really motivated to get As. I’m willing to stay up late and get my work done, even if I’m tired.”
“I was competing with myself.”
After earning her degree in Sport and Entertainment Management with a perfect 4.0 grade point average, Boesel is hoping to keep that record in place as she finishes her master’s degree this spring.
“Once I got all As through my junior year, I thought that I may as well finish it out and try to get a 4.0 throughout my whole college career. I was competing with myself.”
Even though she’s good at being a student as well as a fantastic athlete, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have stress.
“All the time!” Boesel said. “My parents are constantly getting phone calls and FaceTime from me, complaining about how much work I have. They have to hear it constantly, but that’s just one way to get my stress out. They help me plan out what I’m doing when I’m really overwhelmed. They’re great to bounce my stress off of.”
Boesel is human however, and she laments about not having straight As in in high school.
“Unfortunately, I got a few Bs. I’m still bitter about it.”
With a .349 career batting average, 28 home runs and 136 RBI over the last four years, Boesel’s name is easy to find all over South Carolina’s career record books, and she is thrilled about an extra year of eligibility after most of last season was canceled due to the pandemic.
“I wanted the chance to finish my senior year my way and not have it taken away from me. I love softball. I wasn’t’ ready to be done with it, especially like that. Once I had the opportunity, it was a no-doubter that I was coming back. I’ve had such an amazing experience here. I love my coaches. I love my team. I was offered another chance, and I have some unfinished business. I would like to break some records and go to the Women’s College World Series.”
Looking back at her impressive numbers on and off the field, the hard work has paid off, and Boesel is glad for the challenge, even if she once nearly fell short of perfection in the classroom.
“In my undergrad, Dr. (Tom) Regan’s finance class, that was a hard subject. He really pushes to apply it in real life. It was challenging. There was a time I thought that class was going to get me my first B. I still say that was one of my hardest classes I’ve taken. I was busy all semester, but I pulled out an A.”
It’s hard to get anything by Mackenzie Boesel.
