Written By: Bobby Milner
Kevin Calvani from Carlsbad, NM is a mid-distance runner for the Tarleton track and cross-country team and an agricultural services and development major. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has students on the rodeo and stock horse team, but more students are joining collegiate sports as the college grows.
New Mexico has a harsh environment. Extreme heat and cold every year with little rain makes it difficult to grow crops. Environment has not stopped the Calvini family. They have farmed and ran track there for generations.
“Both of my parents ran track and cross country and I guess you could say it runs in the family,” Calvini said.
Calvini wasn’t always involved in agriculture such as FFA in high school.
“I was not involved in ag with my high school as I was more focused on running and playing in our high school band.”
When Calvini wasn’t running or practicing in the school band he always helped on the farm.
“As the fifth generation on the family farm, I have been driving tractors outside of school since I was around 10 years old,” Calvani said.
Calvani dedicated himself for education at Tarleton to benefit the family farm; when he is not in class or studying, he is working out and jogging to stay in good condition. Track and field athletes undergo a strict regime to maintain their body conditioning often waking up early to train in any weather conditions. It’s also time consuming, leaving few hours for social events.
“Scheduling is difficult as I have to plan my classes around practice times. It is comparable to a job but there is no calling in sick, and I have to make sure I can be there early enough to prepare for a workout.”
Social life is very challenging for athletes no matter what their sport is, Calvini witnesses the toll it takes.
“Social life has always been the most challenging thing as every day we have practice at 6:00 a.m. and also in the afternoon. This makes it difficult to stay up with friends, as a lot of college social life happens in the evening or nighttime. Some of the best athletes believe it is nearly impossible to have a social life and a great season.”
The COANR is continuing to grow and students of all backgrounds are becoming the body of the college. The rodeo and stock horse teams remain the largest groups of agriculture students however as the college grows, more agriculture students are competing in wider ranges of collegiate sports.