Samira Kennedy '23 Recruiting Profile

Welcome to my NCSA recruiting profile.  I hope you find this useful and that it gives you a small glimpse into what I might have to offer to you and your great university as both a student and an athlete.  I have high ambitions in school and on the track.  I feel like I have only begun to scratch the surface of what I am capable of accomplishing and would like to find a coach and university that is willing to truly partner with me in achieving my academic and athletic goals.  I hope and believe I possess the natural attributes and work ethic to make it worth your investment in me.   

Here are some of my key accomplishments so far during my high school track and cross country career (chronologically from newest to  oldest):

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    • #6 Returning 1600 meter runner in California; #27 in the nation
  • #6 in Returning 800 meter runner in California; #37 in the nation
  • 2022  California MileSplit  2nd Team All State Track Team
  • 2022  California State Meet Qualifier in the 1600 Meters (4:55) 
• Castilleja School 2021-22 MVP in Cross Country and Track respectively 
• Named West Bay Athletic League (WBAL) 2022 MVP in Track & Field 
• CCS Top 8 Invitational 1600 Meter Champion in 4:49.37 (at the time #6 Time in state and #18 in country)
• 3rd Place, 2022 Arcadia Invitational Women’s 800 meters in 2:10.72
• Named to the 3^rd Team California MileSplit All State Cross Country Team for Juniors (and honorable mention All State for all grades) 
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Runner Up in 2021 CIF California State Cross Country D5 Championships (18:30 on Woodward Park 5K course, Clovis, CA) 

2021 California CIF Central Coast Section D5 Cross Country Champion (18:20 at historic Crystal Springs Course, Belmont, CA)

2021 1st Team WBAL All League and Central Coast Section in XC as Junior

California State Class Leader in the 800 meters as both a Freshman and Sophomore. 

#5 U.S. Freshman in 800 Meters (2:14.20) in 2020

#9 U.S. Sophomore 800 Meters (2:11.51) in 2021

Named to first team 2021 California All-State Sophomore Class Track Team by MileSplit 

Qualified for and competed in 2021 NSAF Nike Outdoor Nationals 800 meters (Hayward Field, Eugene, OR) as Sophomore

Runner Up in 2021 CIF California Central Coast Section Championships 800 meters (2:11.51 PR, California #9) 

State Meet Individual Qualifier (although CIF California State Meet cancelled because of Covid-19 Pandemic)

2021 WBAL League Champion in 400 meters (58.92)

2021 WBAL League Champion in 4 x 400 meters  (Anchor)

2021 WBAL League Runner Up in 800 meters  (2:14.72)

2019 1st Team WBAL All League and Central Coast Section in XC as freshman

2019 3rd Place CIF Central Coast Section XC Meet

2019 13th Place CIF California State XC Meet D5 (18:59 5K)

Golden West Invitational High School 800 Meter Champion (as an 8^th grader, 2:17.83)

More than what I have accomplished so far, I know that I can’t just rely on natural talent and, to be a great runner, I need to hone my areas of strength and strengthen my areas of weakness.  With that in mind, I have this year started to systematically train, incorporating weights for both speed and strength, cross training and focused recovery, in addition to my broader base and interval training.   With focus and training, my hope is those natural traits coupled with greater endurance from smarter and more sophisticated workouts will yield exponentially better times and prevent injuries.     

Lastly,  I have always had a natural enthusiasm for running.  Nowhere else do I feel more passion or natural joy than I do when running on the track or otherwise.  Running has always been my outlet and escape.  It has also always been central to my athletic successes, whatever the sport.  It’s probably no accident that I would end up running competitively and I now openly aspire to run at a top Division 1 college track and cross country program.   I am also a strong student and have consistently produced A grades throughout my academic career and at academically demanding schools too.  My love of learning also contributes to what I think is one of my best traits; I am very coachable.  I am eager to learn in the classroom and on the track. 

I hope you’ll give my profile a look and that you see potential for me to succeed in your program!  Thanks for taking the time!