December 17, 2021

Kennedy selected as November Athlete of the Month

Photo: Eastbay Cross Country

Sophia Kennedy, 16, of Carmel, Ind. has been named the USATF Indiana Athlete of the Month for November 2021.

Kennedy, a junior at Park Tudor High School, struggled through a nagging achilles injury and managing a food allergy during the cross country season but all things came together when it counted most - the IHSAA post season and national championship season.

She finished third at the Indiana State Championships on October 31 running 18:06 at the Lavern Gibson course in Terre Haute.

Two weeks later, at the Nike Midwest Regionals, she had a self described "off day", due to the food allergy, as she finished 14th running 18:54 again at the Lavern Gibson course in Terre Haute.

But all things were "go" two weeks later as she finished third at the Eastbay Midwest Regionals in Kenosha, WI. Her time of 17:19 was her career best. The only Indiana female to run a faster time on the historic course was Anna Roehr (16:54 in 2012 and 16:57 in 2014).

Then on December 11 Kennedy earned 2nd team all-American honors as she finished 7th at the Eastbay National Championships in San Diego. Her time was 17:35 on the very difficult 2-loop course in Balboa Park.

Kennedy ended the season ranked #9 in the U.S. by Milesplit.

Milesplit recently posted this nice article about Sophia and her father Bob who was a two-time Olympian and set three American records (3,000m, 2 mile, 5,000m).

November Results for Sophia Kennedy

Nike Midwest Regionals (Nov. 14; Terre Haute, IN)
Eastbay Regionals (Nov. 27; Kenosha, WI)
Eastbay Nationals (Dec. 11; San Diego, CA)

Other notable performances by USATF Indiana members in November

Liam Fenning - won the USATF Indiana and USATF Region 7 championships (11-12 boys) and was third at the Carmel Classic (Hoosier XC Grand Prix.
Brandon Haas - won the USATF Region 7 championships (13-14 boys), finished fourth at the USATF Indiana championships, and finished sixth at the Carmel Classic
Kenneth Harris - won the USATF Region 7 championships (9-10 boys) and finished second at the Indiana championships and Carmel Classic.
Caleb Kerr - finished 12th (top Indiana finisher) at the CNO Monumental Half Marathon running 1:04:54.
Jasen Ritter - won the Indiana Cross Country championships (masters 45-49) and finished second (masters 45-49) at the Drumstick Dash.
Izaiah Steury - 4th place at Eastbay Midwest Regionals to qualify for the national championships
Taylor Tragesser - won the USATF Region 7 championships (11-12 girls) and Carmel Classic and was third at the USATF Indiana championships

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