Add Kennedy Taylor’s name to the list of talented young Southlanders whose sporting ambitions have helped them gain a place at United States universities.
Morgan Hunter, Charlotte Muschamp, Greer Alsop, Atipa Mabonga, Jordan Rackham, Jack Beaumont, Hannah Miller, Sammy Murrell, Mary Fraser, Michael Zhang, Anna O’Connor, Shakira Mirfin and Mac Stodart already feature on that list across basketball, squash, football, table tennis, rowing and – predominantly – athletics.
While also a talented triathlete, Taylor’s focus on the track over the past 12 months has helped secure her a four-year scholarship at the University of Maine where she will study nursing and be part of the school’s division one athletics team.
“It’s always been my dream to go to America on a running scholarship, that’s been the goal. It was a big sigh of relief when I got the offer from the coach,” the former Southland Girls’ High School student said.
“We are so lucky to get this opportunity. I’m so excited. I keep forgetting that I’m moving to a whole new country in four months, but it’s pretty cool.”
Taylor has had a busy summer, training and competing across North Island events while communicating with a number of United States schools.
She finished second in the steeplechase and back in the pack in a stacked 1500m field at the national track and field championships.
“I wasn’t stoked with my results, I feel like something’s not really clicking at the moment. Training has been good and I’ve really enjoyed what will be my last few comps in New Zealand, but my actual results and times I wasn’t stoked with,” she said.
“I feel like I’m just really stoked for the next step and knuckling down with my training and the nutrition side of things to get ready for America.”
The decision to go with UMaine and its Black Bears athletics programme was influenced by the fact they offer a nursing programme, something that has interested Taylor for a while.
“I had offers from a few different schools, but in the end it came down to a few things – coaches, locations, the environment and also the courses that were offered because a lot of schools didn’t offer nursing,” she said.
“Coming from New Zealand and a small place, Maine is quite a big school, so it’s the full college experience. They’ve got a football team and an ice hockey team and the track and field team is quite big. The girls on the team sound really cool and I liked the coach and the sound of the training.”
Taylor is planning to enjoy her last four months at home, while also working as a health care assistant at Southland Hospital, training for the Westpac Chopper Appeal ride alongside dad Phil, who is one of the organisers, and potentially doing some harriers.
It’s also a chance to reflect on some of the people who have helped her to reach this point, including family, SBS Bank Academy Southland and her coach Lance Smith.
“My parents have done a ridiculous amount for me. They have supported me through everything. The Academy has had a big role – Carly and Jason have really helped me, especially with organising my life right now. Family and friends have all played a part in encouraging me to get here, which has been awesome,” she said.
“Lance has been my main coach and he has been unreal. He’s been my coach now for eight years and he’s been pretty awesome.”