J.R. Tucker senior Kendra Smithers is priming herself for a great shot at a high finish at states this month. She enters regional week ranked 6th in the 500 and 10th in the 1K for the entire 5A classification. She combines a big win at the St. Christopher's Invitational with those very good times on the season as well.
Check out Kendra's Athlete Profile Here
Kendra has only run track for two years now and in that small frame of time has really shown improvements and speed. That was especially evident at last year's indoor state meet where she went 5:19 for 4th at the state meet. This year though her coaches have turned her focus to shorter races and so far she is turning the corner in a great way.
This season has been the first season where she has not run a 1600 (so far) and also the first season where she has run the 500 (at all). That move gives us some great insight into not only this season but outdoors as well.
IF you look at her times from a big picture standpoint you can definitely see the trajectory of this training. It is focused on getting better turnover while also not losing a ton of the base. That should spell for a great 800m at indoor nationals and in the outdoor season as well. She finished 3rd at states last year in that event running 2:18 with a 2:15 PR.
Like the title says, Kendra is going down in distance and up in the rankings so get ready for some big performances from this senior.
