Kennett track and field strides into 2025 season with improved numbers

KENNETT, Mo. - Head coach Andrew Webster has a tradition every spring.

On the first day of practice, as he looks upon the track’s horizon, Webster notices a unique joy from seeing all the athletes working on their individual events in preparation for the upcoming track and field season.

For him, there is a beauty in watching the sprinters work on hand off for their relays while the distance runners make laps around the black rubber surface. There is beauty looking beyond the track and seeing his brother, assistant coach Chris Webster, teach athletes how to jump long and hurdle. There is a joy he finds when he sees coach Jim Tidd help the throwers in the field behind the track. He said something is refreshing and beautiful about making it to spring and experiencing the first week of track season all over again.

“It’s something that you can only truly understand if you have done this sport or coached this sport,” Webster said. “People outside of the sport will never get it, they will think I’m crazy, and honestly, I love it so much that I don’t care what they think because it is special to me.”

Webster is entering his eighth season with Kennett’s track and field program.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the team has experienced a drought in participation. This season, however, Webster and his coaching staff are seeing improved numbers and more dedication being brought back to Kennett's track and field.

“Last year, we basically had a whole team of newcomers and freshmen minus a few returners scattered in there,” Webster said. “But this team kind of reminds me of our 2018 team here in Kennett. We had an All-State thrower returning in 2018, a pretty good distance squad and a young but strong core. That’s pretty much what our team looks like this year.”

One of the top returners for the Indians will be senior Kevin “Big Kev” Thompson.

Thompson was the top finisher for Kennett at the Class 3 State Championship. He earned All-State honors and a podium finish after placing third in the discus event.

“We’ve been throwing pretty good so far,” Thompson said. “We are just focusing on getting the form down and not really putting too much pressure on ourselves. We have a lot of younger throwers this year. We are just showing what to expect and helping them with their form right now, making sure they are locked in.”

According to Thompson, he has noticed more evidence of determination at their practices compared to previous years.

Along with Thompson, the team will return a determined 4x800m team, which was one place away from making it to the state meet and only a few seconds off the school record. Their time of 8:43 was only five seconds off the school record set at 8:38.

On the girl's side, Kennett returns all of their members of a state qualifying 4x400m team.

The team included the sister trio of Alaina, Alyce and Brooklynn Edwards along with junior Garyn Robinson. Isabella Wilson and Ella Gardner are also key runners who were alternates for the 4x400m squad.

Their practices have been motivated with the goal of making an All-State placing this season.

“We want to get top eight this year,” Robinson said. “We are working on our hand-offs and cheering each other on every workout.”

According to Brooklynn Edwards, the experience of making it to the state meet has made them even closer this year.

“Our chemistry is pretty good now,” Brooklynn said. “We communicate well getting around the track and we are a lot closer now.”

Now, the team has officially 83 members on its roster between the boys and girls plus a few unofficial athletes hoping to join before the season starts.

This is something Webster takes pride in. Even more than sending athletes to state or winning meets, he enjoys how track and field gives Kennett students something to look forward to when they come to school.

“This is the coolest part about track, that this kids continue to come out and try something new,” Webster said. “At least one out of every six kids in our school wants to be on this team, that now has something else about school to look forward to, another reason to keep their grades up and they get to learn how to be on a team. This sport is important for a lot of these kids. It’s good for them and it’s fun.”

Even still, Webster and his staff are expecting a big season ahead.

“The truth is, I don’t know how good we will be yet,” Webster said. “We are so young, and there are so many new faces, but I know for sure this year will be better than the past few years. We just don’t know where that ceiling is. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

The track and field team will have its first competition of the season on Thursday, March 20, as they host the Kennett Thrower Open. The first event is set to start at 3 p.m.