Ryan Kennedy '23 - Track and Field

It's funny. Since track numbers are in the hundreds, I was never able to wear #34 on my jersey. But that is not what this award is about, it’s not about you, me, nor the number on the jersey, it’s about embodying what it truly means to be a man for others (like Jesus), just like the great Jim Skerl.

Instead of me telling you how to be the best #34 (I don’t know how), I will instead share how it impacted my track season.

As a freshman, sophomore, and junior runner I failed to make it to the state meet. Dropped batons and injuries kept derailing me. As a senior, I thought my route to Columbus was to make it onto the 4x100 meter relay. That was my focus. I would not either accept or consider anything else. The only problem, Coach Wolf told me I would not be on the 4x100. He wanted me to try out the 4x400. I was not happy with his decision. I was, simply put, selfish.

In the end I realized Coach Wolf's idea would help the team. The only problem was that I had not run 400 meters since eighth grade. For my first race, I was extremely nervous. Doubt filled me as I stepped on the line. For some reason I cannot explain, I found myself talking to Mr. Skerl. All of a sudden, all the nerves vanished, and I was calm. I ended up finishing with a decent time and I was eager to continue running the event.

As the season progressed, my teammates and I ran better times, and I made my conversation with Skerl a pre-race routine, which continued with me all the way down the state final. We finished seventh in Ohio and I know for a fact I would not have been in that position without Jim Skerl.