College athlete of the week
Player: Cali Cull
Year, school: Freshman, Seattle University
Sport: Track &field
Hometown: Marysville (Marysville-Pilchuck High School)
What she did: Set a school record in the triple jump with a mark of 36 feet, 3 ½ inches at the Oregon Preview over the weekend, finishing sixth in the event.
What’s next: The Redhawks have this weekend off due to spring break, and then they’ll return to competition for the WWU Multi-Events Meet and the Willamette Invitational next weekend.
Two-minute drill
You set the school record in the first outdoor meet of your freshman year. How’s a girl to follow that up?
What kind of PR (personal record) are you chasing by the time you leave Seattle U.?
You also won the Great West Championships Indoor Championships last month while being named the GWC’s female freshman of the year. What did those honors mean to you? The freshman-of-the-year was a big surprise. I had no idea. I went in with the mindset of knowing that I wanted to win, and I was in the same range as the other two girls. So I just wanted to put it all together. It came down to the last jump, but I was able to do it.
It really came down to your final jump?
It did. I was sitting in third (place) until that one. That was great. I was very happy with that, especially since it was early in the morning.
You’ve had so much early success that you must already have a nickname. No, I don’t.
Really? I’m thinking Blue Oyster. Blue Oyster Cull. Blue Oyster? I haven’t heard of that.
Blue Oyster Cult? The band? Nope.
OK, now I’m feeling old and dated. (Laughs)
OK, then. Well, you actually started at WSU last fall, then went to Everett CC before ending up at Seattle U. What can you tell us about your journey? Both my parents went to WSU. My senior year (at Marysville-Pilchuck), it went down to the last day to decide where I wanted to go. So when I went there, I pretty much went there by default. Once I got there, I knew it was not my time to go. I went home, and I actually ended up having shoulder surgery, so when school started again, I decided not to go back. I finish my A.A. at Everett Community College because I wanted to do something. I didn’t want to just sit around at home and do nothing. And I think I needed to grow up a little, and being at home helped me do that.
Capitol Hill is a little different than Pullman, huh? Yeah. Oh, yeah.
What do you like best about that part of Seattle? I like the proximity to my family and my friends who go to UW. There’s a lot to do, so you never get bored there. On the snow days, everybody was out playing in the snow and having fun.
You know, they do have snow in Pullman. Yes. I found that out.
At Marysville-Pilchuck, you were named scholar-athlete of the year, athlete of the year, you played volleyball and basketball, and you set three school records in track …
I’m not done yet. You were also a member of the Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere Club, the Special Needs Prom Committee, the National Honor Society, you served as class secretary and as a member of the senior cabinet, and you were homecoming chairman. So did you have any time to actually go to class? Well, yes. I didn’t skip class, if that’s what you mean. My senior year, I did Running Start, so that gave me time for community service. I took two community college classes in the morning and two high school classes. So that helped.
Among all your high school activities, what are you most proud of? Oh, boy. Probably just that I was able to balance it all. There were some sleepless nights. But to make a greater difference in the community and beyond the team, that is something that’s really memorable.
Was there one moment or event that is most memorable? Special needs prom was probably the most meaningful. We did a dress drive and a pampering session for the girls. Their emotions were so raw. We had a red carpet out, and the joy you’d see on all their faces, that’s priceless.
What was it about the special needs prom that drew you into it? My mom actually coached Special Olympics basketball for 12 years. So growing up around it, I’d always go to basketball practice on Wednesday nights or Thursday nights, whenever it was. So I was comfortable with it, but it was something I never really did on my own.
I’m beginning to think that your school record in the triple jump wasn’t even that big of a deal, compared to all that. (Laughs) It’s something rewarding to me. To give to others is one thing, and to accomplish something for yourself is another. I felt like I accomplished something for myself, something I worked really hard for.
It’s spring break at Seattle U. So what are you doing with the free time? Well, we practiced Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, and now I’m in Oregon with my friends on the coast.
What part? Cannon Beach.
My wife’s favorite candy store in the world is there. It’s called Bruce’s Candy Kitchen. You should go. OK, I will tell the driver.
Then again, I’m the old guy dropping Blue Oyster Cult references, so you might not want to take social activity advice from me. (Laughs)
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