I am the biggest sports nerd, specifically for my sport: track and field. 

At the age of five, I started playing soccer and continued to do so up until my sophomore year of high school. After the winter season, I stopped playing because of my new passion. I wanted to shift my focus towards something I saw a future in.

I started doing track in spring of my freshman year, picking up new skills I had never faced before–sprinting and pole vaulting.

Fast forward to now, and I hold the title for Maui Interscholastic League champion in the pole vault and as a member of the 4 x 100 meter relay girls team. As a whole team, for the girls, we won the MIL championship title for track and field for the first year in school history. 

Although soccer had been an integral part of my life, teaching me about coordination and my physical abilities, track taught me things deeper inside. 

Every practice I attend, I ensure each jump, sprint, or rest I take is a step towards becoming a better athlete. I view myself as a competitor, pushing my physical and mostly mental limits every day for a better form of myself tomorrow. 

I left my last season on a high note by being second in the state as a sophomore, and now there are expectations.

But, why think about that and pressure myself out?

I’m working on not doing that.

Whenever I feel myself getting frustrated or mad that I can’t meet a height or time, I tell myself that it’s okay and that eventually it will come.

This does not mean that I am being too easy on myself — because, trust me, I’m quite a hothead — but simply that I am starting to trust my practice and physical abilities more and more. 

With much blood, sweat, and tears, I am still on my journey, but I have been keeping in mind that I have a long way to go.

My father, Allen Kennedy, is one of my pole vault coaches and knows me better than anyone. He knows how hard I can be on myself.

He tells me, “Whatever happens, it’s all part of the journey.” 

He was once an athlete and state champ for the pole vault so he is speaking from personal experience when he tells me that he wants me to enjoy the sport. 

He reassures me that I am on the right track. 

Something he always tells me is to stay positive and to focus on the task at hand by shutting out outside emotions or tasks. 

My father, as a coach and a parent, is the one who always has my back even when I am at rock bottom, so I am going to listen to him and what advice he has given me 100% of the time. 

This Friday is my first track and field meet of this season. This will be my junior-year debut to show my friends, family, and most importantly myself that I am back, and I am ready to take on the challenge of new heights and times.

If I fall short, I’ll remember my coach’s advice:”It’s all part of the journey.”