I had already photographed her older sis. She was one heck of a runner in her own right. And for those of you with your head buried in the sand in the past year or so.... NEWS FLASH: Mallory Vawter has skills.
Mad skills.
About 80 pounds ago, I could pick 'em up and lay 'em down a little bit myself, and there isn't much else that gets an old trackster more excited than when one of the state's premier athletes pays a visit to the studio.
So when Mal and Mama Pam sprinted into Stewart Photography Monday morning (ok... they walked... just go with it) I could not WAIT to get to the track stuff. There was just one problem.
We had three "regular" outfits to do first.
:)
So the smile was just a NOTCH smaller than sis's epic biggest-smile-i've-ever-seen-in-21 years grin, but unmistakably Vawter-esque, nonetheless. Add in the trademark Vawter infectious energy and pizzazz, and this was exactly how I expected it... A true I-Get-Paid-For-This type of day.
Mama Pam assured me that her powder-keg kid was just STARTING to get warmed up when we were nearing the finish line. And for someone that's known for finishing strong... that didn't surprise me.
Nevertheless, I wondered in the back of my mind of our guest of honor wasn't purposely holding back a bit as to not have what her mom called her "usual antics" end up on our world famous Stewart Photography Blog.
Not only can she run and jump... but she ain't no dummy either!
So I had to plow though a trio of looks and a couple hairstyles before getting to the sports stuff that I was selfishly looking so forward to. When you're fully aware that you've got a state champion in the 100 meter hurdles in your midst, the old reporter in you can't HELP but to bubble to the surface.
The questions and comments came fast and furious at that point.
And why not? First in the hurdles. Second in the long jump. Third in the 100 meters. 5th in the shuttle hurdle.
Was that at the Comet Relays? The NICL Conference Meet? Districts?
Ummm no. That was Mal's STATE meet.
Not a bad days work.
so when it came time to layout one of our trademark sports collages, I knew I had my work cut out for me. Regularly, I have marginal to below average athletes ask me to make 'em look like all-staters. And while we do our best to do exactly that, it's certainly not lost on THIS photographer's eyes when one of the best entrusts us to document he or she's accomplishments.
It wouldn't be any exaggeration to say that I could have quite easily created a track-only sports collage for this extraordinary girl, but we also had to work in softball, volleyball and basketball as well.
I told her flat out I felt pressure here to try to raise the bar on this project she and her mom had hired me to accomplish for then. Nevertheless... pressure is something we're used to here... and it was time to deliver.
And while Team Vawter will have to be the ultimate judge of whether I actually did that, I know this much... I couldn't be more impressed as to how humble Miss Vawter was considering her off-the-chart talents.
It takes a special kid to come back from the horrific injury that she suffered early in her sophomore season. (think muscle tearing from bone and you don't need to know anything else) . And to go from unable to walk to being able to explode down the runway of the long-jump or to blow out of the blocks in the 100 or the hurdles... it's overall a testament to her dedication to get back... and to not only get back.. but to get back and be even BETTER than she was before.
The good news for all of us, is that we get another full SEASON to see what Mallory might accomplish. In my book, there's few things cooler to me than to show up at a contest featuring speed on speed... power on power... and for everyone in the joint to be saying... "What that girl in the black and gold there in lane 4."
The best part ? Is when the aforementioned standout DELIVERS. It ain't braggin if you can back it up. And why she won't brag... I will... for her. Mallory is a special talent and I hope she finds a way to continue wowing us long after she puts on the Comet uniform after this year.
If not... we'll count our blessings as being witness to one of the best that ever was. It had been close to three DECADES since BCLUW had a track and field champion. While that streak of futility is now over... the bad news for competitors in the are? Miss Vawter's still got another year for you to get used to the back of her uniform.
Thanks for choosing our studio, Miss Mal. Best wishes to you and the remainder of your career!
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