With One Goal Accomplished, McCall Has More to Check Off List

By: D. Scott Fritchen

Less than five years after Kade McCall served as barista, short-order cook, party host and arcade prize attendant at an indoor trampoline park in Boise, Idaho, the Kansas State sophomore hammer thrower has bounced himself into the record books and seems poised to concoct a collegiate career worthy of medals.

And he's only 20.

"That's a crazy thing to think about," McCall says.

Though admittedly undersized, the 6-foot, 220-pound McCall possesses other-worldly skill. He currently sits at 20^th in the NCAA hammer-throw rankings after unfurling a toss of 67.56 meters (221-8 feet) at the Texas Relays on March 24. Nobody has thrown the hammer farther in K-State history.

The previous K-State record was 67.14 meters (220-3 feet) by Mitch Dixon at the 2018 Texas Invitational. McCall's previous best was 65.15 meters (213-9 feet) at the 2021 Jim Click Shootout — the last time he reached 65.0 meters in a competition.

"I knew the school record was 67.14, and I've known that number in my head and I've been able to recite it since last March," McCall says. "I wanted to hit the school record at K-State. It's always a goal to get your name on it so people remember you."

McCall is certainly known in track and field circles in Boise, Idaho. He owns the junior high school discus record, the high school discus, shot put and hammer throw record, and the Idaho state record in the hammer throw.

It's a process that began in the seventh grade. McCall was a tremendous gymnast, wrestler and played inside and outside linebacker at Timberline High School. He began throwing the shotput and discus in middle school. His father, Shane, served as his coach. The hammer throw took the McCalls to various states for competition.

While in high school, McCall, who began working age 15, found a unique job.

"I worked at an indoor trampoline place, so I was a party host, a barista, a cook, like a babysitter, and I also managed the games there, so the games like the claws that grabbed the candy and all the machines, I managed those," he says. "We also had a laser maze, and I managed all that. It was the weirdest job."

There was nothing weird about McCall's passion. He knew he wanted to compete in the hammer throw in college.

"When he picked up the hammer, he was a freshman, and said, 'Dad, I'm going to college on this,'" Shane says. "I was like, 'OK, let's get to work.'"

Although McCall took an official visit to Washington State, he left his official visit to K-State on November 8, 2020, enamored with the coaches, people and facilities. He signed with K-State the following week.

And now he's a sophomore who's already doing big things.

"Overall, he's grown in his understanding of knowing what makes a throw go far," K-State throws coach Greg Watson says. "His athletic ability to throw a hammer has gotten a lot better. His specific strengths toward throwing have developed quite a bit. Mostly, his technical understanding of what makes a hammer go far has improved.

"He's not a very big guy. He's not the typical size for someone that's going to throw very far. The hammer is kind of a unique throwing event in that way. Despite his size, he's a pretty decent athlete. What he doesn't have in size he's able to make up for a little bit."

McCall will always remember his record-setting throw at the Texas Relays for various reasons, including one unforeseen circumstance.

"I competed at 2 p.m. and had a little mishap with my uniform," McCall says. "I didn't realize I had been given a small purple uniform at the beginning of the year. I never wear it, so I didn't check it. So, I wore a K-State t-shirt. So, I wore half a uniform. It was a nice day and I felt pretty good. I took my first throw, a scratch, and was like, 'That went far.'

"My second throw, I entered the ring feeling pretty good. I was expecting a personal best, but I wasn't expecting a school record, that's for sure. I took my second throw and was like, 'That was really good.' I stared at the screen the entire time. I saw the number pop up. It was really exciting to see that number."

Shane and Kim McCall saw it all unfold on Shane's cell phone. When they are unable to attend meets, they always try to watch Kade's competitions through various streaming services.

"We knew it was a good throw," Shane says. "When the number popped up, I said, 'That's the school record.' It's super crazy, but he's worked really hard starting in junior high. I knew he'd get the school record eventually, but I just didn't think it'd be this soon.

"He has a lot of potential because he works so hard. Trust the process and work hard. You have to work hard for what you want to get."

McCall entered his sophomore outdoor season with three goals — 1) a school record, 2) a NCAA berth, and 3) a Big 12 Conference championship.

Currently, McCall ranks second in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma's Bayley Campbell at 69.33 meters (227-5 feet). McCall and Campbell might preview the Big 12 hammer throw championship when they meet at the John Jacobs Invitational at 5 p.m. Friday.

"It'll be a battle between me and him as to who's going to win the Big 12," McCall says. "That's going to be a big thing. As for going to nationals and getting the Big 12 championship and school record, I've already got one out of the three, and going to nationals would be nice just because Eugene, Oregon, is eight hours away from my family."

"My parents," he adds, "already rented an Airbnb."

Kansas State University Athletics

With One Goal Accomplished, McCall Has More to Check Off List

Players Mentioned

Kade McCall

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