Warriors’ Stone basks in a first win

By Jeff Hare, Correspondent

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was senior night for the Cedar Rapids Washington girls track team Tuesday night at Kingston Stadium.

Linn-Mar won the event with 134 points, followed by Washington with 123 and Cedar Rapids Prairie with 105.

One Warrior senior who had a big night was Callie Stone. She was the winner in the long jump with a leap of 16 feet, 3 inches. It was her first track and field victory as a Warrior.

“I was really excited to win the event,” Stone said. “I've been working real hard for this and happy to finally get it.”

Hard work was the key, she said.

“I have been working on my steps, which I have had some trouble with,” she said. “I've been spending a lot of time on that. Also, I strained a quad muscle, and that's been tough trying to get though.”

But that aside, she had a good feeling going into this meet.

“When I heard it was a seven-team event, I thought I might have a chance to win,” she said. “It worked out the way I hoped.”

Athletics are a large part of her life.

Stone was a member of the basketball team and has played volleyball and soccer in her time at Washington. She is also a black belt in tae kwon do.

“It was something I did eight years ago with my brother,” she said. “I did it for five years and came out of it with a black belt. I just loved it, as it was a lot of fun.”

Stone also finished second with three teammates in the shuttle hurdle relay.

“I'm enjoying that event also,” she said. “Working on the three-step technique is tough, and it is something that I keep pushing for.”

As for the future, Stone said that athletics will be part of it.

“I've been accepted to Humboldt State in Arcata, California,” she said. “I'm hoping to run track out there.”

And for the short term?

“I'm hoping to keep improving enough to qualify for the Drake Relays,” she said. “That's my goal for this season.”

The Drake Relays are April 26-28 in Des Moines.