McCara Cullen lives by the words, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
Long-distance runner Steve Prefontaine, a hero of Cullen’s, coined the phrase and she finds use for it on the basketball, tennis and volleyball courts.
Cullen’s goal when she walks out on the court, whether it’s a game or practice, is to “push,” “give it my all” with “drive” and to try and be a team leader through her work ethic. All of this following a shoulder injury her junior year that could have taken her out of a season.
Cullen said it was her efforts at state volleyball last year – diving to the floor for digs – and overall wear and tear that injured her shoulder. After discussions with her physical therapist, she decided not to have surgery so as not to miss a sport.
“Every time I go in for a rebound or dive to the floor it’s what I’m thinking about. That it could be my last time,” she said.
Her overall drive to get better and help her team trumps these thoughts.
“I need to push through and play with my full strength and ability,” she said.
This year Cullen was named all conference in volleyball as an outside hitter and middle back defensive player. She said some of her proudest athletic moments have been winning the state volleyball championship in 2006 and making it to the state basketball tournament last year.
“It was amazing, working hard during practice and seeing what we could accomplish,” she said.