Makayla Lefever: Leader on the Mound
Makayla Lefever is a nursing major in her junior year going to Whitworth University in Spokane, Wash. Like many of her peers at Whitworth, she has contributed to giving back to the community by being a part of events such as A Million Meals. With good grades and nurturing characteristics, she thanks no one but only God above with the life that she was given.
But there’s no surprise that Lefever that her faith life and the classroom are the only places she shows dedication and compassion: Lefever is also the pitcher for the Whitworth softball team.
Before going to Whitworth, she had to step up to the plate and become the pitcher for her hometown high school, Woodland High School. People doubted her ability to fill in the shoes of her predecessor. While she was on the mound, Lefever says that she could not only see the people underestimating her but she could hear the comments as well.
Even though the odds were against her and her high school team, this encouraged her to work even harder.
“It only worked out because everyone on the team stepped up and worked together,” Lefever says.
Becoming the pitcher for her high school team was only the beginning of her successful career. Since 2011, she became a three-time MVP of the Greater St. Helens League.
Freshman Year (2013–2014 season)
Before the season began, Lefever faced another obstacle.
“I had to overcome an injury a week before going to California,” she says.
Of course, this injury hindered Lefever to play to her full potential. However, this did not mean she would not put any effort into how she played. While making 17 appearances, she played in 56 innings and struck out 25 batters while only walking just eight.
“ Although Makayla still had a successful year, she was injured and wasn’t able to perform to her best abilities,” says Tessa Matthews, a teammate of Makayla on Whitworth’s Softball Team.
Since Matthews had played with her on the same traveling team for two years before coming to Whitworth, she knew what Lefever was capable of.
Lefever’s biggest goal was to overcome this injury and show that she was fit for this team. Playing to the best of her ability was what she wanted to do, to prove that she deserved to be on the mound.
Sophomore Year (2014–2015 season)
Bouncing back from an injury was not easy but it worked out for Levfever since she trained hard the summer before. Her dedication during training for off-season aided her team for a victorious season.
“Makayla was healthy so she was able to come out with her top performance all season,” Matthews says. “Makayla has always had incredible control on the mound and she continues to get better in every area.”
For this season alone, Lefever was awarded Bruchi’s Women’s Athlete of the Month For Mar. 2015, NWC Pitcher of the Week for Mar. 9–15 and Mar. 23–29, First Team All-NWC and Third Team All-Region 2015.
2015 Northwest Conference Softball Championship
For the 2014–2015 season, it was the first time that the softball team had won the Northwest Conference softball championship in Whitworth University history.
“Bonding on and off the team helped the team mesh,” Lefever says. “We are a team that’s built upon a family.”
For Now and the Future
When asked about the future for softball, Levfever says that staying focused and having that mentality will get her and the team back to their place.
Since this is a fairly new team, half returning players and half new players, Lefever believes that having a strong focus while bonding on and off the field will allow the team to be successful again.
“We need to get through the season and stay strong, to have that mentality and keep going” she says. “We all want it.”
Keeping this mentality will not only allow the team to go back to the Northwest Conference but it may possible allow them to travel onto Nationals. Lefever describes that her and the team can achieve this goal as long as everyone steps up and contributes as a leader.
“It’s easier for a defense to play behind a pitcher that they are confident in along with a pitcher that is confident in themselves,” Matthews says, describing why is a qualified Lefever. “Her control and confidence on the mound is something the team is able to build off of. She is a quiet leader that everyone respects and looks up to.”
Already this year, Lefever has been the Softball Pitching Student-Athlete of the Week for Feb. 15–26.
When asked about the future for her academic career, she just recently applied to the nursing program at Washington State University. Come see Lefever play because this might potentially be her last semester at Whitworth.
