State Champion spotlight: Emma MacCallum Gray New Gloucester HS
What were your preparations leading up to the state meet?
Leading up to every other state meet I have participated in, I was extremely anxious. This year I went in with with a lot more confidence and was significantly less stressed. I knew what I had to do in order to win and felt that I was ready for a big throw. Before the meet, I had a few really good practices and my throws were feeling far more effortless than they had felt in the previous weeks.
How did you deal with the emotions that come along with competing in a state meet?
I do not have a great track record with Bates' circle and tend to foul somewhat often while competing there. I was definitely worried about that, but over the years I have figured out methods to deal with it. Honestly, I just tried to distract myself from the idea of competing. I just spent the day cheering on my teammates and enjoying the atmosphere!
You came out and threw 36-3, which ended up being the winning throw, on your first attempt. Did your warm-ups go well and did you know you would let go your best throw on your first one?
I definitely did not think my first throw would be my best one coming into the meet. At WMCs my best throw was my final throw, so at States I expected to similarly work up to and end on my best throw. However, my best throw of the day was actually during my warm-ups. After that throw I knew I needed to stop warming up and leave it for the measured throws. It was a great feeling to know that I was having good day on my first warm-up throw.
Coming into the season, what were your goals and did you achieve them?
Yes and no. I wanted to throw farther than I actually ended up throwing, but I also really wanted to win a State Championship. I was undefeated in Class B this year, which was really awesome. However, I was half an inch off of my personal record from last winter at States and setting a PR was a really important goal for me this season.
How do you think winning an individual state title will effect you heading into outdoors?
I am looking forward to outdoors and getting back into throwing the discus and javelin, in addition to the shot put. I think winning a state title will allow me a little more confidence throughout the outdoor season and hopefully the opportunity to repeat my State win this spring.
MacCallum's Shot Put Progression
| INDOOR | Graph |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 36-3 |
| 2016 | 36-3.5 |
| 2015 | 26-9.5 |