The Shadow
Alleghany’s Kalin Rice deserves praise, recognition and respect.
Rice, a Mountaineer softball and volleyball player, began playing sports in elementary school and tried them all; basketball, softball, volleyball, wrestling and dance. And to think of the courage she had to do it all is simply a story in itself.
Ate the age of four, Rice was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and it was one of the biggest struggles for her growing up and it is still affecting her to this day.
Not long ago, she had left knee surgery to remove a cyst and had a scope, then about 10 months later, had a knee scope done on her right knee. Those procedures were a result of the arthritis she has always had, and while doing the surgery, her doctor found some adult arthritis on her right knee sitting on one of her bones.
So, to say Rice has been through the ringer, so to speak, is an understatement.
“It has been a long ride,” Rice said.
“I no longer take medicine for it, and I’m released from my doctor and only go as needed, but it (the arthritis) is still present,” she continued.
One crazy thing is Rice was a catcher on the softball field when she was younger, so she was constantly bending down, standing up, jumping and leaning side-to-side, and that presents a whole new challenge for the now outfielder.
“Overcoming my obstacles has definitely been a little harder since I’ve grown up with JRA. If you ask my parents, they will tell you I’m pretty tough. Even though I’d have knee or ankle pain I’d just keep playing because that’s what made me happy. I was a catcher growing up which is the worst possible position to play if you have knee issues. Even while my pain got worse, I still found a way to catch,” Rice explained.
Speaking of her parents and family, they have been a huge support system for Rice, and her grandfather has played a big role in that as well.
“My family has been my biggest support system for sure. They have always pushed me to be the best student and athlete that I can possibly be. They’ve supported all my dreams and goals and had my back when I needed it most,” Rice said.
“I definitely grew up in a sports loving family. My grandfather, Gary Rice, was a baseball coach at Alleghany high school for 51 years. He is definitely a strong coach, and I think that has impacted all of my family, from all of my older cousins to my dad and my older brother in all of our sports. But that’s what you need to be successful. My dad has followed in his steps and has coached some at both Alleghany and Covington,” she continued.
All those family ties to Alleghany make the school extra special for Rice, but it was a certain bus ride a few years ago that may be her most memorable experience so far.
“Being a Mountaineer, I would say has been a privilege. One of my most favorite memories ever happened my freshman year. We were on a long bus ride to Narrows high school. Pat, of course, took us on the back roads so it took even longer. I love my naps, so I went on to sleep to pass the time. I woke up to the smell of maple syrup. I was very confused, but we were pulling off into a Food Lion parking lot. Basically, our bus just broke down and we were stuck at some random creepy Food Lion,” Rice said laughing.
“Thankfully, our coach at the time was from Narrows, so she was able to call and get another bus for us. The bus finally gets there to save us, and out of nowhere it starts pouring rain. The emergency exit at the top was open. My coach, myself and another teammate were all trying to shut it. It just would not shut so we’re getting soaked. Finally, I took one big tug and the exit shut but there goes my teammate and coach tumbling over into a seat. The whole bus all got a great laugh, and we enjoyed our time together,” she added, still smiling.
Rice will always appreciate her time in sports as she has taken pride in all of them over the years. She also had some good coaches to help her along the way in many areas.
“I really care about all the sports I’ve played, and I think that it shows. I get angry at myself very easily when I don’t perform to what I feel like is the best of my ability. My coaches have definitely been able to notice that over the years. I’ve had a lot of different coaches between all my sports during my high school years. I feel that each one of them has contributed to my athletic career in one way or another. I appreciate my coaches always pushing me to be my best and not giving up on me. Some of my coaches have inspired me in life and given me good life skills to have throughout my future,” Rice said.
One big, glaring topic over the Covington area community has been the consolidation next year between Alleghany and Covington High School when the current Covington students will be Alleghany Cougars next year. Rice will not be a part of it, but she feels that in the long run, it will be a great thing for everyone involved, and she is anxious to see how the sports teams are impacted even further.
“Whether people want the consolidation to happen or not, it’s going to happen,” Rice said.
“I feel like the first year may be rough but, in the end, I think it will benefit everyone. Honestly, I wish that I would be able to be a part of it just to be a part of the change. Our schools are going to come together and be one. For sports, I see so many new opportunities coming. New coaching opportunities and new players. I think that both Alleghany and Covington both have talent within their school system. Coming together, I think, will be a good outcome. So, to everyone next year, although there will be more competition don’t let that make you give up. Prove people wrong and work hard to earn your spot. It’s going to be harder for everyone,” Rice explained.
This fall, Rice is heading to the University of Lynchburg. She plans to major in graphic design and minor in coaching, and those family coaching legacies had a big impact in that choice.
“My reason for minoring in coaching is to carry it on,” she concluded.
