Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellation of the spring season, the Upper Iowa Athletics Department is spending the next few months spotlighting many of our Peacock student-athletes whose spring seasons came to a premature end.
 
In today's virtual interview, Pete the Peacock gets to know UIU golfer Mackayla Olsen. Mackayla is a senior from Stewartville, Minn. who came to Fayette four years ago from Stewartville High School. She is majoring in human resources management.

PETE: How would you describe yourself in three words?          
MACKAYLA: Dependable, friendly, and competitive

PETE: What made you want to be a collegiate student-athlete?        
MACKAYLA: I wanted to continue playing golf at the next level.

PETE: What have you learned about what it takes to be a student-athlete?          
MACKAYLA: I've learned that we have the ability to overcome adversity.

PETE: What is your favorite way to de-stress?      
MACKAYLA: Online shopping

PETE: What advice would you give to your 14-year old self?   
MACKAYLA: Hit the books harder.

PETE: What is something most people don't know about you?          
MACKAYLA: I've broken my wrist three times.

PETE: What is your favorite thing about your hometown?       
MACKAYLA: The community is awesome!

PETE: What is your favorite thing about Fayette?
MACKAYLA: The small-town atmosphere

PETE: How do you want to be remembered?        
MACKAYLA: As a good leader on and off the course.

PETE: What's the best thing that has happened to you in the last week?   
MACKAYLA: I found 5 dollars in an old wallet.

PETE: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
MACKAYLA: Skydiving in Hawaii, going to the Masters, and taking a road trip across Canada     

PETE: What is your dream job if money wasn't a factor?
MACKAYLA: To be a professional dog walker

PETE: Who are three people (dead or alive) you'd love to have dinner with?        
MACKAYLA: Tiger Woods, Morgan Wallen, and the President

PETE: What is your most memorable sports moment?  
MACKAYLA: Competing in the sectional high school golf tournament and having to do a playoff hole to go to state.

PETE: What fictional character (movie, TV show, book, cartoon, etc.) would you want to be for a day?
MACKAYLA: Rachel from my favorite TV show Friends

What is your favorite home cooked meal?
MACKAYLA: Crab legs

PETE: What is your dream vacation spot? Why? What would you want to do there?      
MACKAYLA: Australia, to scuba dive in the coral reef

PETE: What piece of clothing do you wear the most?    
MACKAYLA: My Birkenstock's

PETE: If you were president for a day, what would you change?        
MACKAYLA: I would update the speed limit on every traffic sign to a minimum of 65 mph.

PETE: What is your favorite restaurant in the world? What do you order? 
MACKAYLA: Taco Jed Taco Truck. They have the best street tacos.

PETE: What does your dream life after retirement look like?  
MACKAYLA: In a cabin on a lake in the woods

PETE: What is your favorite non-sport hobby?     
MACKAYLA: Playing corn hole

PETE: What are three things you cannot live without?
MACKAYLA: Shopping, my iPhone, and sunshine

PETE: Where or who do you get your inspiration from?
MACKAYLA: My parents. I can always rely on them and their support.

PETE: If you could sing a duet with someone, who would it be? What song?        
MACKAYLA: My sister, Fishin' in the Dark

PETE: What is one cause that you hold dear to your heart?     
MACKAYLA: Navy Marine Corps Relief Society for those who have served.

PETE: What was your first job?          
MACKAYLA: Coaching junior golf with the First Tee

PETE: What is the priciest thing you've ever splurged on?        
MACKAYLA: Golf clubs

PETE: Do you play any musical instruments?        
MACKAYLA: I played the clarinet in 5th grade.

PETE: What is your go-to karaoke song?     
MACKAYLA: Party for Two by Shania Twain and Billy Currington

PETE: If you were a rap artist, what would your stage name be?       
MACKAYLA: Macky G

PETE: Do you have a secret talent?   
MACKAYLA: I can play the ukulele.

PETE: If your life was a song, what would the title be?
MACKAYLA: Laughin, and Livin'

PETE: If you had a podcast, what would it be about?     
MACKAYLA: Different dog breeds

PETE: What category would you own in a trivia competition?
MACKAYLA: Sports

PETE: Who would your dream co-star be in a movie?    
MACKAYLA: Bradley Cooper

PETE: What would you bring on a one-way trip to Mars?         
MACKAYLA: My dog Marley

PETE: What is your go-to home workout?  
MACKAYLA: Going for a walk
                                              
Special thanks to Mackayla for taking the time to chat with Pete! To view previous virtual interviews, please click here.