“It Was My Smoothest Run And I Could Feel It”

New 100m Hurdles record holder Kennedy Christoffersen- Photo by Leslie Hamilton

 Kennedy Christoffersen hurdles to a new school record
 
This spring there has suddenly been a bit of a run on some long held records at Fremont High School. Marks set by student athletes from the previous century whose feats have held a spot in the record books for three decades.
On May 6th at the Lake City Invitational Kennedy Christoffersen not only added to the number of first place finishes she has notched this season in the 100m Hurdles but broke the school record with an even 16 second performance that shattered the previous mark of 16.14 set just a mere  3 decades ago by Joy Witte Bullis who could be attending a 30 year class reunion soon.
Coach Leslie Hamilton: “Kennedy has had a great season and has worked hard to beat the record. I am proud of her and very excited for her!”
Ms. Bullis who cleared the hurdles in a time that held up these 30 years also had praise for the performance of Christoffersen: "Good for her, records are made to be broken! Good luck to her the rest of her season."
 
N3 caught up with Kennedy as she prepared for the Regional Meet this Friday (May 20) to be held at Zeeland East High School.
 
 
N3- How long have you been doing hurdles? What got you started?
 I have been doing hurdles for 6 years.  I was a former gymnast and it seemed to fit my style.

N3-You also do long jump and relays and recently set a PR in the jump. Three different types of events. Got a favorite one? 
Hurdles are my favorite. because it gets me first place most of the time.

N3-Were you aware of what the record was? 
Yes, I was aware of the middle school 55m hurdle record on the wall and broke that record my 8th grade year, so going into high school, I knew what the high school record was.  I have been trying for 4 years now to break the high school record and finally broke it my senior year.

N3-You have been generally finishing first with times around the low to mid 17’s most of the year. You must have known you had a good race. What was going on that allowed you to shave more than a second off your time?
 I knew I had a good run at the meet, but did not know the time until the next day.  I was low to the hurdles and did not have any twisting - it was my smoothest run and I could feel it. I felt good - finally that I accomplished that I work so hard for.

N3You ran another sub 17 at the makeup meet ending the season. Does the progress made this year help you feel confident going into Regionals?
 Yes, but I have my work cut out for me because this season at the meets I do not have anyone pushing me and at regionals I will face 3 other girls running my same time and only top two move on to the state meet.

N3-You’re a senior. College plans? 
Planning to go to MCC to begin with and wanting to become a certified nurse midwife

N3-What would you tell younger athletes who are considering T&F? 
Work hard if you want to set a goal and accomplish something and have fun while your doing it.  I would also say to the younger kids to give Track and Field a try - its more fun than you think or have heard.  You are part of a team but also can set your own individual goals.

Christoffersen in her element- Photo by Russell Tindall, Pro Photo Image