Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Makhayla Farmer, Chinook Volleyball

Her future is college basketball with the Skylights, but Makhayla Farmer is an impact volleyball player in Chinook right now

Chinook's Makhayla Farmer (left) goes up for a block during a District 6C volleyball match against Chester/J-I last fall. Farmer is considered one of the top high school basketball prospects in Montana, but she excels on the volleyball court too.

Since bursting onto the high school scene two years ago as a freshman, Makhayla Famer has been grabbing attention and headlines ever since.

Just a junior, Farmer is a varsity standout in three different sports for the Class c Chinook Sugarbeeters. She is currently in the middle of the volleyball season, but also shines on the basketball court, and on the track for the Beeters. She has been a letter winner since day one for the volleyball and basketball team, and has really come on strong as javelin, discus and shot put thrower, as well as a high jumper.

She was named All Conference in track last season, and All-Conference in volleyball the last two years.

Farmer has proven to be one of the top post players in the state, and has already been rewarded for her efforts. With two seasons still to be played in a Beeter uniform, Farmer has already signed to play for the Montana State University-Northern Skylights upon graduation. And as a Beeter, she has also been named All-Conference the last two years, as well as already holds school records. Farmer holds the Chinook High School block records for single game, season and career. Farmer earned seven blocks in one game, 50 in a season, and has racked up 85 in two years.

Now with two years to go, Farmer still has a lot to accomplish in basketball, volleyball and track, before moving to the college ranks.

HDN: What do you and the rest of the Beeters have to do to make a run at a state championship this season?

Farmer: "This year we have improved a lot on our defensive play and serve-receive. I think that if we keep improving on that, and our front line keeps swinging away, then we have a pretty good chance at going to state."

HDN: When playing in a tight match or game, what gets the team fired up more, when you get a dominating kill, or a key block?

Farmer: "I don't know. I think kills get me more pumped up, but whatever scores us points gets us all fired up. I enjoy hitting more, I don't know why, but I just do."

HDN: Why did you decide to sign with the Montana State University-Northern basketball team so early, and how does it feel to have that big decision out of the way?

Farmer: "It feels really good to have that out of the way. I don't have to be as stressed, and I don't have to worry about colleges or anything. I have nothing to lose, I can just go out and play the sport and have fun. And I started going to their (Northern) camps, and I just liked how they ran things. I liked the players because they interact with you a lot, and that was fun. I talked to my high school coach about it, and I talked to coach Mouat about it, and we all thought it was a smart move."

HDN: And now that you are already committed to the Skylights, what are your goals for when you get there?

Farmer: "I think right now, I am still focused on high school. Throughout the season I will probably start thinking more about college goals, but right now I am focused on high school."

HDN: What do you do to get pumped up for a volleyball match or basketball game?

Farmer: "In the lockerroom we usually listen to anything, and kind of everything. Like yesterday (Tuesday), we listened to Silent Night just because it came on, so we just goofed around. We just have fun with whatever song is playing. But pregame for me, I don't do a whole lot, I just make sure I eat well the night before. I do always eat a piece of chocolate and drink a Gatorade before I play for energy, but I don't think I do anything special. Well, I do always eat a Three Musketeers."