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Kenadi Krueger's Best Marks
400 - 1:00.31
800 - 2:19.28
1,600 - 5:10.13
3,200 - 10:55
5k - 18:10
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Q) Talk about the recruitment process - what other schools were you looking at, and how did you come to choosing the University of Kansas?
During the recruiting process I was so excited to meet all the teams and coaches, although I'll admit it was a bit overwhelming at times. For a while I had four top schools but decided to take visits to the University of Kansas, University of Wyoming, and University of Reno Nevada.
Before my visit to Kansas I automatically clicked with Coach Whitt. He was super easy to talk to. But of course I wanted to keep an open mind. I did love all the schools I visited which made it a hard decision but on my visit to Kansas I just felt like I belonged. Spending time and running with the team felt normal to me. It gave me a gut feeling that I couldn't let go of.
Q) What do you plan to study at Kansas?
I plan to study Engineering of some sort. Possibly biomedical or computer science. All I know is I'm a nerd for math and science so engineering has always interested me.
Q) What event do you see yourself focusing on at Kansas?
Because I have such a range in the events I race, I'm not 100% sure exactly which events I'll be competing in. I'll probably be racing in the distance events, but I'd also love to try racing the steeple chase at least once!
Q) You've had success in everything from the 800 on up to the 5k, what would you say is your favorite event, and why?
I'd say my favorite event is the 5k because you always get a different course each time and who doesn't love a surprise! It's one of those races where place matters more than time which is cool because then I can focus on racing and I know that a fast time is just an extra bonus.
Q) You made big jump in the 3,200 last spring - what would you attributed to such an improvement?
My 3,200 last spring was a very big day for me. I was beyond excited to be able to compete with the best in the country at Arcadia which I think helped me a ton. I kept thinking to myself "if I can just stick on this girl for one more lap then I'll be good" and I stuck on her. It's a totally different experience being in that pack of girls and feeling that energy.
The last 600 I felt amazing and I knew that I wanted to break 11:00 in the 3200. That was a big goal for me but I believed I could do it. When I finished and saw my time, I was on cloud nine! It's an experience I'll never forget!
Q) What got you interested in running in the first place?
My parents were runners so I guess I was kind of thrown into the running world from the start. I went to little track meets and fun running camps which sparked my interest in running. Once I got a taste of running I loved the competitive energy and how good it made me feel afterwards.
Q) Could you share any goals you have for your senior year?
My main goal is to just have fun and enjoy what I'm doing! I'm going to focus more on sprinting events this track season like the 800 and below (don't get me wrong I'll definitely be running a 3200 or two though), but I definitely want to get PRs in the events I'm focusing on and I want to place at state in all my events!
Q) What would your favorite high school moment be?
There's so many amazing memories it's so hard to choose one! I'd probably have to say when my team took a trip to Kansas to run at Rim Rock (which is funny cause that's where I'm headed next in life!) We had so much fun together touring the school and walking up Massachusetts Street. The course was absolutely amazing. It was equally as challenging as it was beautiful! I'll definitely never forget that moment.
