Russell ready for KWU

Special to Kansas Pregame

Just call Mayce Russell the Mean Macksville Machine.

And that machine will be steamrolling northward towards Salina next August when she begins her collegiate track career as a Kansas Wesleyan Coyote.

“It is extremely exciting,” Russell said of competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference. “I’m nervous to compete at the next level of course, but KWU feels like the right fit for me and I’m looking forward to this next chapter of my academic and athletic career.”

Also on Russell’s radar were St Mary’s College, Utah State, Fort Hays State and Emporia State.

“I chose Kansas Wesleyan because the coaches there made me feel like it’s home to me,” said the standout javelin thrower. “They have been in constant contact with me, not just about track, but my senior year and life in general. They have made me feel like a person and not just a javelin distance. I loved the campus also, it is the perfect size, beautiful, clean and up to date.”

Thursday she began her State Road to Wichita journey with a first-place toss in the Central Prairie League meet at Ness City.

“My throw felt great considering I tweaked my elbow during prelims but once we wrapped it I was able to get a throw out to 121,” Russell said. “The throw felt really smooth and flew really good!”

Thursday’s winning toss sent her confidence for next week’s regionals at Kiowa County skyward.

“I definitely feel confident enough to know I will be going to state,” said Russell, who’s got the second-best throw among regional competitors.

“I am really proud of myself for being league champion because I have been very hard on myself for not throwing as far as last year,” she noted. “But now it’s just one throw at a time. When I start hitting the higher numbers again it gives me more confidence while throwing for sure.”

Her senior season hasn’t gone as scripted.

“My senior season has been a little different than I imagined,” Russell said. “Since suffering an ankle fracture towards the end of volleyball season, my training has unfortunately been modified this year."

“I was unable to train all year in the weight room like I did last year, so I am physically not as strong. I’ve had to work on my technique and emotional strength more this year. It has definitely been challenging but it’s also helped me grow as an athlete and a person.”

Coming off a state championship in javelin as well as a state record as a junior has put a lot of pressure on her to be that same person.

“I’ve had to learn that it’s okay to not be back there yet, due to things out of my control, to just be the best competitor I can be,” Russell said. “This is still somewhat hard for me and I’m still working on it.”

Despite her comeback, she has medaled in every meet so far, two golds and several silvers, including a silver at the WSU Shocker pre-state meet.

“I have been trying to focus more on technique, strength and endurance, rather than placing,” she said. “Regular season is nearing the end, so I’m really focused on preparing my body for regionals, in hopes to make another state appearance.”

“Definitely determination and resilience, especially being able to overcome challenges with having an ankle fracture,” said her boyfriend Brayton Dewell, a McPherson College football player. “She still gives 110% in everything she does. She amazes me because even after throwing on a hurt ankle and it not getting much better, she still pushes through and wants to keep getting better, not to mention playing other sports on it as well.”

The three-sport star was a rare member of the 1,000/1,000 Club with 1,073 career digs in volleyball and 1,115 career points in basketball. The 3.6 student was named all-league all four years in basketball and volleyball. In basketball, she was a finalist for Class 1A Division I Defensive Player of Year as a junior and all-state as a senior in which she averaged 16 points, five steals and 4.6 rebounds per game.

“I played with a lot of heart and emotion,” she said.

“Mayce is a great leader and teammate,” Lady Mustang junior Laney Butler said. “She works hard and strives for success whether in sports or in everyday life. She is also very encouraging and a great person to be around.”

“Mayce is one of the hardest workers I know and will never fail to be competitive no matter the circumstances,” junior Morgan Sebes said. “I truly look up to her in everything. Along with that if I’m having a hard time she’s there to encourage me.”

Motivated and determined are just two of her athletic attributes.

“I’m very hard on myself and strive to get better from one competition to the next,” Russell said. “I have always played more than one sport at a time, so focusing on one sport in college will be different for me. I’m looking forward to working with my college coaches and making them proud.”

Getting that chance to throw at the next level is all she asked.

“I feel honored to be able to have the opportunity to compete at the next level,” Russell said. “I’m excited to see how I grow as an athlete and javelin thrower.”

Who does she credit for her Macksville Mean Machine success?

“Coach Gillespie for encouraging me to try javelin my freshman year, and all of my coaches that I have had in my athletic career honestly,” Russell said. “They have all been a part of my athletic development whether it be physical strength, technical skills or mental toughness. My family, of course, they have always been my biggest fans and have supported me in all my competitions.”

To her young fans throughout Stafford County and central Kansas, she hurled this message to them.

“Invest in your team and teammates, trust your coaches and buy into the team family, your success will be greater,” Russell said. “Never turn down an opportunity to try something new. If at first you fail, then try again, there will always be that ‘bad day’ but that’s what makes the good days more amazing! And lastly, never lose sight of what started your journey, your love for the sport.”