2008 female Athlete of the Year
May 13, 2009
By Sgt. 1st Class Sheryl L. Lawry l 500th Military Intelligence Brigade
Story Highlights
- It's the last title she said she's most to have.
- He added that the way his wife balances her life is just as impressive.
- When Calway was eight years old her father was stationed here in Hawaii.
- Calway really connected with being in the military. A tribute to her father she said.
First Lt. Kelly Calway holds many titles. The intelligence officer, assigned to the 500th Military Intelligence Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, is a doting mother, loving wife, caring daughter, patriotic Soldier and the ArmyAca,!a,,cs 2008 female Athlete of the Year.
ItAca,!a,,cs the last title she said sheAca,!a,,cs most to have.
Aca,!A"It was crazy, she said. Aca,!A"I thought they must have made a mistake. I was truly honored and very happy.Aca,!A?
Yet it was no surprise to her husband, Capt. Christopher Calway, an engineer assigned to the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
Aca,!A"I knew she was a shoe-in,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"Her running resume from the past year is very impressive.Aca,!A?
He added that the way his wife balances her life is just as impressive.
Aca,!A"I was deployed for 15 months and over that time she worked fulltime, took care of our daughter and compiled a running resume worthy of the being named the Army Athlete of the Year,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"Any one of these could easily be a fulltime job. ItAca,!a,,cs incredible that she was not only able to do all three, but excel at them. I am so proud of what she has done.Aca,!A?
It was CalwayAca,!a,,cs lengthy running resume that caught the selection committeeAca,!a,,cs attention and who chose her out of numerous others to be given this prestigious honor. Yet if you peer into her history, itAca,!a,,cs not hard to see why she holds this title.
When Calway was eight years old her father was stationed here in Hawaii. The family lived in the Aiea area. One of the only military kids at the school, Calway said she did not fit in and was chastised for being an outsider.
That all changed when her teacher noticed her running ability during gym class.
Aca,!A"He encouraged me to try out for the track team.Aca,!A? she recalled. Aca,!A"I did and before I knew it, I was one of the fastest kids at the school.Aca,!A?
The best part about becoming a track star, she said was the sport helped her to make friends and finally fit in. Aca,!A"I forged friendships with the people who teased me, and my life at school improved dramatically,Aca,!A? she said.
Running continued to be part of her life as she grew up, competing in the Junior Olympics and running numerous local and state competitions. In high school she ran varsity cross-country, indoor and outdoor track.
She participated in track all four of her years at North Carolina State University, where she was a Reserve Officer Training Cadet. She was commissioned in 2006 when she graduated with a major in English.
Calway really connected with being in the military. A tribute to her father she said.
Aca,!A"My father instilled in me the value of service to our great Nation and I truly believe in it,Aca,!A? she said about following in her fatherAca,!a,,cs footsteps. Aca,!A"Also, having grown up in the Army community, I value the people and the relationships I have made along the way. The Army has afforded me so many opportunities that I never would have had elsewhere, I truly love it.Aca,!A?
One of those opportunities was being the first female to represent a foreign army in the Republic of SingaporeAca,!a,,cs Annual Singapore Army Half Marathon in 2008.
Aca,!A"It was an incredible experience to represent the United States Army in a foreign country,Aca,!A? Calway said Aca,!A"During the race, it was especially motivating to know that I was running for more than myself.Aca,!A?
Another opportunity the military provided was attending the U.S. Army Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga. It was there where she met her husband.
Aca,!A"We met on the first day because we were next to each other in the alphabetical formation,Aca,!A? said Capt. Calway about his meeting with the then 2nd Lt. Kelly Brown. Aca,!A"The first thing I noticed about her was her excellent Parachute Landing Fall. I fell in love with her because of it.Aca,!A?
Happily married for three years the Calways have an 18 month old daughter, Hazel. Calway said it is having a child that has changed her life for the better.
Aca,!A"Motherhood has changed my outlook on life in many ways,Aca,!A? she said. Aca,!A"It has given me a new sense of purpose. My daughter is always with me during those tough races when I need to overcome mental and physical obstacles; I just think of Hazel and I can make it happen.Aca,!A?
CalwayAca,!a,,cs hard work has paid off. She was accepted into the ArmyAca,!a,,cs World Class Athletes Program located in Colorado Springs, Colo. After reporting to her new duty station in 2010, she will start a rigorous training program to prepare for the 2012 Olympics.
She and the male Athlete of the Year, a fellow Hawaii military intelligence Soldier, were presented their awards at the Association of the United States (AUSA) Winter Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. in March.
[She] Aca,!A"represents the best of AmericaAca,!a,,cs Army as they serve in their assigned duties and also compete in athletic competitions for our Army and our nation,Aca,!A? said Retired. Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan, president of the Association of the United States Army.. Aca,!A"We are very proud of you.Aca,!A?