Student-athlete of the Week: Calista Law

Senior Calista Law may not have had the most hits or RBIs in Niwot’s thrilling 19-17 win over the Northridge Grizzlies on Sept. 18, but for head coach Bobby Matthews, the fourth-year varsity infielder was the day’s most impressive performer by far.

“The poor kid was so sick,” he said. “She was throwing up between innings, and she was on base all the time, so she would run from home to first base, and then have to go to the trash can. But she was great for us.”

The ailing Law reached base three times against the Grizzlies, and hit a double in Niwot’s seven-run fifth inning. She also had a timely single in the seventh, and ultimately scored Niwot’s final run of the game.

“I was really worried about getting the rest of my teammates sick because something’s been going around,” she said. “But the girls really had my back when I dropped the ball or messed up, and they pulled me out of the slump that I was in. I’m really proud of them.”

Law credited that close-knit team dynamic for Niwot’s success in the early half of the season. The Cougars went 7-4 in their first 11 games, and outscored their opponents 116-74.

“We’ve had a lot of changes this year, with our number-one pitcher being injured,” she said. “But I think we’ve adapted well. We’re starting to learn new play styles and get adjusted to what we’ve got. We’ve got a great team this year, and we have really great chemistry. There’s no drama, and all the girls just love each other.”

Law, too, has had her share of success this season, both at the plate and on the field. She is currently hitting .349, with 15 hits and 15 runs, and a career-high seven doubles. In her customary spot at second base, she has cut down on errors, and almost surpassed her assist total from 2018.

But her biggest success so far as a senior has been off the field. Earlier this month, Law was selected as a 2019 National Merit Semifinalist, an honor she earned by scoring in the top percentile on the PSAT. She is now eligible to apply for one of the 7,500 Merit Scholarships that will be awarded to high school seniors around the country next spring.

As for where she might use that potential scholarship, Law is still making up her mind. She is currently pursuing her IB diploma at Niwot, and has especially enjoyed her math and computer science courses. Indeed, her IB extended essay project examined the ramifications of artificial intelligence and facial recognition systems. Among her top choices for the next four years is UC-Berkeley, where she would join her older sister Aleris, another softball-playing National Merit Semifinalist for Niwot.

“It’s been a big difference ever since she went off to college,” the younger Law said. “My sister has always been one of my biggest supporters, and when she left, it was a little hard for me to adjust. But I eventually learned to be more independent, and take care of things on my own. I think it’s been good for my growth, and it’s helped me with time-management, without always having my sister’s footsteps to follow in.”

When she’s not on the diamond or in the classroom, Law is the President of Niwot’s Interact Club, a service-oriented organization affiliated with Rotary International. This year, the club has been volunteering at Longmont’s Our Center, and Law is helping to plan a fundraiser to benefit an overseas orphanage later this year. In her limited free time, she enjoys reading fantasy novels and socializing with friends.