Mackenzie Vandertuin
Hometown: Whitharral, TX
Home Club/Range: Toronto International Trap and Skeet Club
Disciplines: Women's Trap
Started Shooting: In 2015 through Mackenzie’s Uncle taking her to shoot for the first time. He told Mackenzie about Olympic trap and the opportunities that it gave you so we went to try it. Mackenzie’s Uncle always wanted to do it professionally and was never able to so when he saw that Mackenzie enjoyed it he supported her to pursue it to a high level. It was something they did together to share in a dream.
Highlights:
Gold in the overall junior category at the Beretta Gold Cup 2019
Team bronze at the 2024 CAT 2 - this was Mackenzie’s first ISSF event.
Silver at the 2024 Canadian National Championships
Advice for newcomers to the sport: Be kind to everyone around you and especially yourself, for this sport isn’t easy.
Favourite Memory: Shooting her first ISSF match with the Canadian flag on her back. It was very emotional for Mackenzie as it was something she had dreamt of since she was a teenager and had worked so hard for.
Hobbies: Reading and learning about fashion history.
Fun Fact: Mackenzie has a fox red Labrador named Maple and her hair is the same red as Mackenzie’s.