There isn’t much in track and field that Watauga’s Ginna Calloway can’t do. When the Pioneers need somebody to run distance races, they turn to Calloway. When the Pioneers need somebody to run hurdles, they turn to the junior. When they need somebody to do the triple jump, well, you get the idea. In fact, Calloway has performed in at least eight events for the Pioneers this season. Calloway has raced in both the 300 and 100 hurdles, the triple jump, 400-meter dash, the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs, and both the 1,600- and 3,200 meter relays. |
She also ran cross country in the fall.
“There are a lot of events that I’m interested in,” Calloway said. “In cross country, we all run the same race. In track, you get the chance to do something different.”
It’s that kind of versatility that could land Calloway at some college competing in the heptathlon. In the meantime, she’ll run the 1,600 run and the 3,200 relay in Saturday’s 4-A track and field championships at Paul Deer track at N.C. State. Anna Mae Flynn, Lauren Smith and Kristen Bowden also were on that team that qualified for the state meet.
Calloway won the 1,600-meter run at the Western 4-A Regional meet at Charlotte Vance with a time of 5 minutes, 22.5 seconds.
Calloway had already reached the state meet in the 3,200 relay, which the Pioneers finished first with a 9:50.92.
Calloway was needed for other events in the Northwestern 4-A Conference meet, which was held at Jack Groce Stadium. In that meet, she won the 300-meter hurdles and finished second in the 100 hurdles and the 1,600-meter relay.
Staying fresh for all of those different events can be difficult, especially if she has to run in the 3,200-run or maybe the 1,600-relay, the last event of the meet.
“As the day goes on, I kind of warm up my knees and legs,” Calloway said. “If I’ve run the 800 or the mile, then I’m kind of already warmed up some. By the time we get to the 4X4, everybody else has already run some events and are pretty tired.”
The 1,600-meter relay race is one of the harder events for Calloway since often she’s run in three other events.
“I don’t know where the energy comes out for our 4X4 team,” Calloway said. “Somewhere, somehow it comes out. I guess the adrenaline comes out and it pulls out the last little effort.”
Should Calloway pursue a heptathlon career, she would have to add throwing to her resume. The heptathlon consists of seven events including the javelin and shot put.
The 100-meter hurdles, long jump, high jump and 200-meter dash and 800-meter run are also included.
“I’ve read about all the events in the heptathlon,” Calloway said. “It would really be cool for me. I can do well in the different events. Not necessarily the best in some. But in the heptathlon people have their strengths and weaknesses in the different events. But it all depends on being well-rounded.”
State 4-A championships
Where: N.C. State, Raleigh
When: Saturday, throwing events start at 10 a.m., running events at 11 a.m.