Q&A with McCloy, McCaleb as They Prepare for States
MILL HALL – Central Mountain will have two representatives at the PIAA AAA State Track and Field Championships this weekend in Shippensburg.
Sadie McCaleb qualified at the District 6 meet last week by placing second and meeting the qualifying distance in the javelin.
Amelia McCloy qualified in the high jump by placing first at the D6 AAA meet in Altoona last week.
Recently the two Lady Wildcat track stars participated in a Q&A session with their head coach Katherine Bidwell. Here are their responses.
Sadie McCaleb:
Q – What do you hope to accomplish at States?
A – Make the podium (top 8) and throw a new personal best.
Q – What is your favorite sports quote?
A – “Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become and the hours of practice and the coaches who have pushed you, is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back . . . play for her.” Mia Hamm
Q – What emotions do you feel when you’re competing/preparing?
A – Pure relaxation due to Mr. Madden’s relaxation techniques. He taught me how to focus, and his main saying is, “Calm and confident. Relaxed and focused.”
Q – How does being an athlete make you a better person/student?
A – It made me a well-rounded person. Sports help you learn responsibility both within athletics and all of the other aspects of your life like academics and everything else you have to juggle. Athletics also helps you learn leadership skills and how to work with others.
Q – What is your practice plan once you get to States?
A – Practice on their runway surface to get used to it since I’ve never thrown off of it before, stretch, drill, and embrace the atmosphere.
Q – Who inspired you?
A – Katie Madden/Bidwell.
Amelia McCloy:
Q – What do you hope to accomplish at States?
A – The biggest thing I need to do is make all of my heights at first attempt, it can be the difference between placing or not.
Q – What is your favorite sports quote?
A – “Start unknown, finish unforgettable.”
Q – How does being an athlete make you a better person/student?
A – Being an athlete has definitely humbled me. The moment you get cocky, the more people will enjoy seeing you fail. No matter how high I jump at a meet, I know the next meet I could potentially go no height. Athletics has taught me to play within my abilities, but push myself to get better.
Q – What is your practice plan once you get to States?
A – I won’t jump as much as I do at regular practices, but I will make sure my steps are down and I feel comfortable with them. High jump isn’t just jumping, it’s 90% form and technique.
Q – Who inspired you?
A – My sister, Grayson.
