Monte Vista High

Kathy Callaghan Rex, class of 1980, became the school’s first female Olympian.  Kathy was a three-time varsity letter winner in Volleyball, Basketball and Track & Field.  After earning a spot on the National Team Handball squad in the summer of 1979, she moved to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and gave up her senior year at MVHS.  Unfortunately, the Olympics were boycotted in February 1980, she returned home for her final quarter at MVHS, graduated with her class, and lettered a 4th season in Track & Field.

Three days after graduating, she started boot camp at the United States Air Force Academy.  While at the USAFA, she competed in Volleyball, Track & Field and Water Polo at the collegiate level.  Each summer she gave up her leave to train and compete with the National Team Handball squad.  In 1984, the tough decision was made to graduate and join the Air Force instead of competing in the Summer Games.

 

In 1986, she rejoined the National Team and was stationed at USAFA as a physical education instructor.  Her Olympic dream was completed in 1988 when she was named co-captain of the team that competed in Seoul, Korea and finished in 7th place.

 

While teaching at USAFA, she met Steve, her husband of 31 years and raised three amazing boys, Kobi, Kaci and Kyle.  Together, they started the Landsharks Running Club in 1999, an after school fun run program for K-6th grades which today serves more than 4,000 runners annually.  She also coached several youth handball teams and was named the Youth Development Coach of the Year in 2010.