By Derrick Smith

Cali McMahan is a multi-sport athlete at Empire High School. She knows what it takes in order to be the best athlete she can be, and it is more than just showing up on game day. She knows that there her teammates depend on her to do her part. 

“I am dedicated to putting in the effort it takes to be the best I can be for my teammates and coaches,” she stated. “I also know that I have to put in work before, during, and after practice and encourage my teammates to be successful in their dreams.”

McMahan, who is a junior, plays softball, basketball, golf, and is a pole vaulter for the Bulldogs. While she enjoys competing in all of her sports, Cali says that she always goes back to some advice that she was given and still holds on to.

“A coach taught me to keep my love for my sports and told me to never let people stop me from doing what I love,” she said. “I believe sports are a way to learn good hard lessons in life. I think a huge part of succeeding is to never stop reaching for the stars.  Always keep doing your best to accomplish all of your goals.”

As an athlete that plays multiple sports, Cali has had the opportunity to enjoy a lot of memorable moments with her teammates. Though she enjoyed them all, she says that there are a few that stand out as her favorites.

“I have a few highlight moments of my career,” she said. “One would be coming back from a concussion during my freshman year of basketball and scoring 23 points in a half. Another would have to be going to state my sophomore year and placing eleventh in pole-vaulting after not competing during the Covid year and moving to a new state.”

Throughout her life, McMahan says that she has had people in her corner, but she says that there are three that really helped shape who she has become.

“Two of my biggest influencers are my grandpa, Tray Hopkins, and my Granny Wolfe,” she said. “They always pushed me to do my best in everything I did and were my biggest supporters.”