43
Vindy Spring Athletes: McKenzie Zigmont
How dominant was Champion pitcher McKenzie Zigmont in her senior season? In the Division III state championship game, the senior limited defending champion Wheelersburg (25-3) to one run and four hits in a 5-1 victory that gave the Golden Flashes their second title in three seasons.
“My emotions were kind of all over the place,” Zigmont (21-1) said of the final out, a line drive snagged by shortstop Megan Turner. “I was a little nervous because she [Christen Reisner] barreled that one pretty good. But as soon as Meg got it, I was ecstatic. I ran right to [catcher] Molly [Williams], gave her a hug.”
In the Golden Flashes’ title run in 2015, Zigmont, Williams, Turner and outfielder Alayna Fell were starters, but Zigmont was an outfielder. In that regular season, Champion coach Cheryl Weaver had Zigmont and Haylee Gardiner split the pitching starts. Gardiner was the senior ace for the tournament run. Zigmont said the experience built up her confidence.
“It helped a lot because I [tried to emulate] Haylee throughout the season,” Zigmont said.
This year, it was Zigmont’s turn on the mound in the season’s most important games.Next season, Zigmont will play for Notre Dame College in South Euclid where she plans to major in nursing.
“My mom is a nurse,” Zigmont said. “Seeing the things she does has inspired me.”