PA Salute To Seniors: Kayle Coley - Cheltenham HS
What was your most memorable race/competition?
11th grade year indoor states my spike feel off in the final of the 60 hurdles. I saw a picture of it a week after the race. It was cool.
Where did you face your biggest competition?
Everyday at practice was my biggest conception. My teammate Ciara and I are pretty competitive with one another. We were PA #1 and #2 all season in the 100h.
Out of all of your high school accomplishments, which stands out the most?
Winning the 60 hurdles was my proudest high school moment. I think that was the cleanest hurdle race I ever ran. Winning districts with my team was pretty cool too. District 1 AAA is very competitive. Also taking 2nd in the state as a team overall at both the indoor and outdoor state championships with my team.
If you could do it all over again, what would you change about your athletic career in high school?
If I could change one thing about my high school career It would be getting injured in 10th grade. I was invited to run the 400 hurdles at Penn Relays but I hyperextended my knee the day before, that ended my season. I would also have started the high hurdles earlier than 11th grade. I wonder what I would be running now if I started them in 9th grade.
What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?
Balancing school and track can be very challenging at times. There are nights when I'm sore and tired but I have to stay up late to get work done but being a Student-Athlete is the best decision I've been in my life do far. It's rewarding and pays off.
What will you miss the most?
I will miss my teammates the most. I've grown really close to them over my time in high school. There are also athletes from around the state that I have met at meets who I have grown extremely close to, like kids from PA who've I ran with in the summer and went on official visits with!
How have your coaches influenced your performances and your life goals overall?
Coach Kelly Jensen, Doc Beale, Coach Teri Bizzle, and Lloyd have been extremely helpful on and off the track making sure I stay on top of track, school, and other things. They have helped me grow technically with my sprint and hurdle mechanics which have helped me run well this season.
What are your college plans?
I will be attending Texas Tech University on track and field scholarship!
Kayla with Swenson's Amani Nesmith, who is obviously also attending Texas Tech.
Shout-Outs?
S/O CHS girls track team, Mt. Airy Track Club, my twin Zaza, Jordyn, Newsome Twins, my bros Quis, James, and Na Na, Mom, Dad, My big brother Chris, and of course Red Raider Nation; Guns Up! TTU17!
Do you have any advice for younger athletes?
Faith. Focus. Finish.
Kayla with Brookville's Lanae Newsome, Garnet Valley's Wellington Zaza and Aisha Newsome.
Want to be featured in our Salute To Seniors series? Drop me a line: don@penntrackxc.com and answer the questions below! And if you can, point us to a pic or two or include them with your email. Make sure you have the right to use it, please.