Sports Locker • January/February 2025 • Mikala Huckabee

If anyone understands resilience and facing fears, it is Mikala Huckabee, a high jumper at Eldon High School. Her motto is: “No more fear, just jump,” a maxim which plays out in her life story again and again.

Mikala began high jump and relay racing in 8th grade. “I didn’t know much about track at the time, but I did know about high jump because of my older brother, Kayden.” Growing up, Kayden was her biggest role model and friend. “I chose to do track because of him. We used to go to a small school without a track and he would just high jump on cement floors. I wanted to be just like him!”

Right before track season in sophomore year, Mikala suffered a back injury. “I lost a lot of flexibility and had to do physical therapy to stabilize the lumbar region of my spine and hips.” Mikala admits her injury took a huge hit on her mental well-being. “I didn’t know if I would ever be able to high jump again, but I couldn’t let it stop me from doing what I love.”

Before the season was over, Mikala found herself at conference, tied for first place in high jump. “I was exhausted from running a 4x400 relay, and then I had to do a jump off to decide the winner.” After seven extra jumps Mikala ultimately won, earning the title of high jump conference champion. It takes hard work to go from a debilitating injury to winning a championship, but Mikala is the queen of resilience, and she trains year-round to perform well.

Mikala’s training involves playing on the Eldon volleyball team, which helps with endurance and reaction timing. During the winter months, she does strength training and running and stretching. Mikala relies on flexibility to jump high, which means daily stretching, sometimes finding ways to stretch her legs and back while sitting at a school desk. Mikala also leans on the support of her many coaches. Her mom, Coach Eldridge, Coach Sydney Prater and Rona Prater, Coach Reed, Coach Wall, and Coach Lyons, all have tremendous impact on Mikala’s athletic career. “I will always hold them close to my heart.”

Mikala has two families, one biological and one adoptive. “My biological siblings are Kayden, Kayli, Sophia, Jayden, Miah, Koralee, Mylo, and Edward.” Kayden, Mikala’s oldest brother, became sort of a father figure for her when life was turbulent. “I never wanted to leave his side and tagged along with him and his friends. They always welcomed me with open arms and showed me how to play basketball and video games.” Mikala says that Kayden is now an “old man” at the age of 22 and she enjoys seeing him and his girlfriend and his dogs when she can.

Mikala was adopted in May 2023 by her momma, Rene, her dad, Jimmy, and two siblings, Avery and Luke Mc- Devitt. She is glad for the relationships she’s built with Avery and Luke, and she is beyond grateful for Rene and Jimmy. “They have shown me what true parents are supposed to do, and sometimes they even do too much… But I appreciate everything they do for me.”

While still in the thick of high school academics and competitions, Mikala is already looking ahead. “My plans are to get a track scholarship so I can run in college, and then complete medical school. I don’t know which field of medicine yet — I’m just waiting to see which one suits me best!”

Until then, Mikala keeps busy with hunting, writing, reading, walking her dog, and snowboarding. Of course, through everything, Mikala plans to keep jumping. “I want my community to know my name, not just because I’m good at high jump, but also because high jump saved my life. It helped me find peace in my chaotic life. I want people to know, no matter how low my vertical is, I will still find the strength to jump high.”