Senior Kennedy has been a 2 time state champion in the two years she has competed in the pole vaulting event, but her story didn’t start as a track star. Growing up, Kennedy had been a long time gymnast, competing in the sport for 13 years winning events from local competitions all the way up to national events. All that would change for her when she succumb to an accident that ended up breaking her back and took her out of the gymnast life for good.
“But in life when doors close, others open,” said Drish. “I just have keep working hard no matter what happens” 
Kennedy recovered form her injury and, being the athlete that she is, decided to take up track and field. She tried pole vaulting for her first time sophomore year and was a natural at it. The strength, body movements, and technique were very similar to what she had done as a gymnast so she picked up on it very quickly. But what makes Kennedy elite isn’t her knack of picking it up easily, it is her drive to keep improving even when she is already the best.
“ Kennedy Drish is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen,” pole vaulter Kendall Vielesaid said. “She always pushes herself to the absolute limits and inspires everyone”.
“It is a great feeling,” Drish said. “when your hardwork pays off”. Her biggest competitor is herself and that mentality has led her to be widely recruited by colleges ( committing to Virginia tech on an athletic scholarship) and have major success in her sport. Story by Tony Cassiere
