Michael Malloy is nothing if not versatile.
“I can jump, I can run, I can throw,” Malloy said. “My goal is to reach automatic State qualifying. I’m getting there.”
The Camp Verde High School senior ran the 200 meters in less than 24 seconds March 11 at the Skydome Classic — a top five finish and top 25 overall time in the event that should qualify him for the Division III state track and field championships next month in Mesa.
Malloy, who has also sprinted in the 100 and 400 meters as well as for three different relay teams, has also been needed to bring balance to a program with two girl throwers who have already automatically qualified for State.
“By accident, a couple of times, my coach has put me in five events,” he said. “You can’t do five events.”
With a consistent push from throwing coach Pam Edgerton, Malloy showed he could support senior Curtis Corder in the discus March 28 in Buckeye, when he tied for 32nd in Division III with a throw of 109 feet, 1 inch.
“She’s really been busting our butts,” Malloy said. “We do complain about her and think she’s mean, but she’s probably the best coach we could possibly get because she knows exactly what she’s doing and where we need to be. She’s willing to push us to our limits.”
Malloy, who has a 3.1 GPA, hasn’t had time for much else his final year at CVHS outside of exercise and homework.
“Being in two college classes, it kind of takes up a lot of my time,” said Malloy, who is trying to get a couple of college classes out of the way following his brother, Ryan, to Northern Arizona University in the fall. “I find my mind actually works better when I exercise. When I don’t exercise, my mind doesn’t want to work.”
For the full story, please see the Wednesday, April 8, issue of the Camp Verde Journal.
