Mackenzie Soldan facts for kids
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nationality | ![]() |
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Born | Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. |
May 14, 1992 |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 5 ft 1 in | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Mackenzie Soldan was born on May 14, 1992. She is an American athlete who plays both wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis. Mackenzie has proudly represented the United States in major sports events. She won two gold medals at the 2011 Parapan American Games. She also competed in wheelchair tennis at the 2012 London Paralympics. Later, she played wheelchair basketball at the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Mackenzie has been a part of the U.S. women's wheelchair basketball team since 2013.
Early Life and Sports Beginnings
Mackenzie Soldan was born in Saginaw, Michigan. When she was just two years old, she lost the use of her legs. This happened because of a spinal cord tumor.
She graduated from Christian Academy of Louisville at age 18. During her high school years, Mackenzie was a top player. She was ranked number one in junior wheelchair tennis. She also held the top spot in the women's division.
In 2010, Mackenzie's love for basketball led her to the University of Alabama. She joined their wheelchair basketball team. There, she again earned a national number one ranking.
Amazing Sports Career
In October 2011, Mackenzie received an exciting phone call. She learned she might qualify for the Parapan American Games. Mackenzie decided to go and compete. She brought home two gold medals from the games. She won one for singles and another for doubles. Besides her medals, she also carried the American flag. Her coach had given it to her as a special honor.
Mackenzie continued to achieve great things. She represented the United States at the 2022 Wheelchair Basketball World Championships. Her team won a bronze medal at this important event.
Life Outside of Sports
Mackenzie Soldan lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When she's not playing sports, she enjoys her hobbies. She loves to play the guitar and the piano.
Mackenzie has been involved in many teams. In 2007, she played for the U.S. Under 19 Wheelchair Basketball Team. In 2011, she won a gold medal with the U.S. Under 25 Team. That same year, Mackenzie was part of the Collegiate National Wheelchair Basketball Championship. She proudly represented the University of Alabama in this competition. In 2016, she earned her master's degree in marketing.