Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Kildow signs to UA
GRAVETTE —The waiting game is finally over for Cally Kildow.
Kildow signed her letter of intent this week to play softball at the University of Arkansas and celebrated with family, friends and teammates at a ceremony on Thursday afternoon in the commons area at Gravette High School.
The road was far from smooth as Kildow missed her sophomore season because of a terrible leg injury after verbally committing to the Razorbacks as a freshman. But the senior acknowledged she learned plenty along the way and is thankful for the opportunity to play at Arkansas.
“It means so much,” Kildow said. “I’ve been looking forward to this day since my freshman year. It’s honestly a dream come true to represent my home state and push myself to be the best I can be.”
Despite missing a season, the honors are still numerous for Kildow, who excelled both in the circle and at the plate. She’s a two-time all-state selection and 2017 Max Preps All-American. The righthander also earned USA Elite All-American honors in 2014.
She went 4-5 with seven saves and a 2.98 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 61 innings last season for the Lady Lions, who lost in the Class 4A state quarterfinals. Kildow, who has played shortstop and third base at times for the Lions, hit .464 with a team-high 24 RBIs.
Kildow was one of three Gravette standouts who signed letters of intent Thursday. Speedy outfielder Gabbi Scott also signed with Central Arkansas, and standout pitcher Bailey Elmore, who stepped in when Kildow missed her sophomore season and led the Lady Lions to the state finals, signed with Southwest Baptist.
Gravette coach Taos Jones said Kildow’s work ethic was unquestioned in returning from the leg injury.
“Just absolute determination is what I saw,” Jones said. “She maybe pushed herself harder than she should have. She is just the most determined person I’ve ever met. You have a kid that snaps both bones in the bottom half of her leg and I just knew she was going to be back.
“It did make her stronger. It made her better in every way, especially as a teammate.”
Kildow also earned all-conference honors in basketball as a sophomore, but that’s where her road to this week’s signing turned bumpy.
While playing in the state basketball quarterfinals, she broke both her tibia and fibula while trying to save a ball from going out of bounds.
“My foot landed under the bleachers and it just snapped in half,” Kildow said. “I got back finally last spring. It took so much work, but it definitely made me learn other aspects of softball and being a good teammate and other aspects I didn’t get to learn because I was always on the field.
“It was stressful, but I got through it and I’m out on the other side. I think I definitely came back stronger. I’m looking forward to going in my freshman year and making an impact right away.”
Kildow has helped put the Gravette softball program on the map, Jones said.
“Fourteen years old and already committed to Arkansas and never played a game for us yet,” Jones said. “It was a big thing. She’s not the type of player that wants the spotlight. It’s not all about her, it’s all about her team.
“For the program, the community, the school, it’s a big thing to have kids playing Division I softball. It puts a big target on your back as everybody wants to be at you because you have a Razorback on your team.”