Track and field standout overcomes injuries to seek a return to the podium

KENNESAW, Ga. | Apr 17, 2025

Kali Terza
Two years ago, Kali Terza was at the top of her game.

A dominant thrower on the Kennesaw State women’s track and field team, she was fresh off an ASUN Conference title, had earned a spot on the Under 20 USA Track and Field team, and competed in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Track and Field Championship meet. For a moment, it felt like she had the world in her hands.

Her path toward a national championship took a detour, however, when chronic leg pain led her to have surgery on both knees, sidelining her for the 2024 season. Just as she was set to return to competition, she broke her foot while training.

Having now fought her way back to full health, Terza has again set her sights on the winners’ podium and bringing a national championship trophy to Kennesaw State. 

“The mental, emotional, and physical rest was exactly what I needed to unlock my competitive spirit,” Terza said. “I’m stronger and more prepared for the future than I ever thought possible.”

Finding her form

Terza’s climb to be one of the nation’s best in the hammer throw and weight throw events came with some twists. As a 9-year-old in Woodstock, Georgia, she was introduced to Olympic-style sports when she joined her local track club. Originally focused on sprints and hurdles, Terza didn’t pick up throwing until her Etowah High School track coach suggested she try the shot put event.

“I started throwing shot put and ended up finishing second at the state championship in my first year,” Terza said. “I remember thinking, ‘Hey, maybe we should stick with this,’ and I have never looked back.”

Despite her limited throwing experience, Terza’s work ethic caught the attention of college coaches across the Southeast. Ultimately, she chose to stay close to home and attend Kennesaw State to study criminal justice.

 “I loved the Kennesaw State coaches and the team,” said Terza, reflecting on her first visit. “I found it unique that Coach Cale McDaniel was is both the head coach and the throwing coach, which meant I would receive a lot of individual attention. KSU was clearly the place where I could grow and excel.”

Since arriving on campus, McDaniel and assistant coach Mike Judge have guided Terza to new heights. In addition to winning the 2023 ASUN Conference hammer throw and 2024 ASUN Conference weight throw, Terza has contributed toward three ASUN team titles.

“While she is still relatively new to the sport, she is very ambitious and brings a ton of energy every day,” McDaniel said.

“Kali stands out without really having to try; being special just comes naturally to her.”

McDaniel’s coaching has proven valuable for Terza, who crashed the national stage in 2023 by earning a bid to the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Competing against other notable schools, she relished the opportunity to wear the KS logo on her chest.

“I remember going to the nationals and being surrounded by schools like Oregon, UCLA, and Georgia, and then seeing KSU on the same stage,” she said. “It felt so validating to know that we were competing at that level.”

A test of strength in the face of injury

In June 2024, due to lingering knee issues from Osgood-Schlatter disease, a condition affecting the growth plate at the top of the shin bone, Terza opted to undergo knee surgery.  The operation caused her to miss the 2024 outdoor track season, for which she received a redshirt year.

“I was in a dark place that summer,” Terza said. “I went from practicing every day and traveling every week, to sitting in my bed with both knees in braces. I couldn’t do anything on my own.”

The rehab process was grueling, but Terza worked closely with physical therapists to rebuild strength and mobility, focusing on regaining full range of motion and stabilizing the muscles around her joints.

“It was really difficult, especially because I wasn’t sure when or if I would be able to come back and perform at the level I had before,” she said. “But I’ve always believed in God’s plan. I trusted that He wouldn’t give me something I couldn’t handle.”

As her knee health improved, Terza was seemingly on track to return to the field. However, she suffered another setback when she injured her foot in practice one month later. X-rays revealed two separate breaks in her foot, sending her back to Day 1 of recovery.

“I couldn’t believe it,” said Terza, who used a walking boot for a month. “I was finally starting to feel like myself again, and then boom, a foot injury.”

Now at full health, and with the 2025 outdoor season underway, Terza is solely focused on performing her best for the Owls.

“I want to set a personal record, set a new school record, and make it to the NCAA Championships again,” she said.

From the throwing circle to the squared circle

Off the field, Terza has found opportunity in unexpected places. After a video of her lifting a grown man on her shoulders earned more than 5 million views on social media, Terza was offered a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). She later signed with WWE’s Next In Line program, which aims to identify the organization’s next superstars.

“I didn’t know anything about the WWE at first, but as I started learning more I was hooked,” she said. “Now I’m under a three-year contract, and I get to train with WWE wrestlers. I’m super excited to see where this takes me.”

In the meantime, Terza remains focused on completing an internship with the City of Kennesaw Police Department, keeping her options open for a future in the criminal justice field. She is also committed to her long-term goal of competing in the Olympics.

“After everything I’ve been through, every throw feels like a reminder of how far I’ve come,” Terza said. “It’s not just about competing anymore. It’s about showing up every day, pushing my limits, and being a better version of myself both on and off the field.”

This article also appears in the of Summit Magazine.

– Story by Raynard Churchwell

Photos by Matt Yung

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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties, and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 8 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 ɫɫ. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.