In the final race of her distinguished high school cross country career, Annawan-Wethersfield senior Kennady Anderson went out with a bang, shattering her previous school record by 10 seconds and adding a third All-State medal to her ever-growing collection.
“Kennady got out and ran her fastest first mile ever in a race (5:27),” said A/W Coach Creston Fenn. “I knew from that point on she was going for it and she was going to have a special day.”
Anderson set her previous record of 17:33.1 on Sept. 9 at the prestigious First to the Finish Invitational, also at the Detweiller Park course in Peoria.
At Saturday’s Class 1A State Championships, the experienced harrier ran the 3-mile Detweiller course in 17:23.53 and placed seventh from a field of 258 runners.
“She was a little bit between packs coming out of the back triangle with about 1.25 miles left. She struggled but won a lot of moments that last part of the 1.25 mile,” said Fenn.
Fenn was impressed by how Anderson attacked the last 600 meters. “I could tell it was tough, but she ran a spectacular race — one to walk away being extremely proud of,” added Fenn.
When asked what it was like watching his talented senior run her last race, Fenn said he was filled with mixed emotions. “It really didn’t hit me until after she finished that this would be the last day I would coach her,” said Fenn.
“The end was very fitting,” he continued. “There was a string of events that will forever be engrained in my mind. I watched her kick one last time. Then after finishing, I watched her display kindness as she congratulated people and helped runners who had collapsed to the ground,” Fenn added.
After that, she took pictures with friends, family and fans. Fenn noted the joy that Kennady spread to so many people, including himself, throughout her high school cross country career.
“It’s been such a blessing having the opportunity to coach her.”
