By Ken Hansard
Chanute senior Kynleigh Chard has already left an undeniable stamp on the Comets’ track program, but if the next couple of weeks go according to plan, her mark could reach legendary status.
Chard took golds at all four of her events at regionals as a junior, going on to place in three events at the KSHSAA state championships. In addition, she already owns the Comets’ school record for the 300 hurdles, a record that had stood since 1983, but that she has now bested and improved upon several times since her junior season. Now, Chard has one more hurdle she would like to clear: “I’m looking forward to going to my last state track meet and hopefully coming home a state champ in the hurdles.”
In an effort to take that next step, Chard has worked hard on her mental game, “I worked on confidence. I stopped comparing myself to other athletes, and now I just go out and do my best.”
Despite all of the individual success, Kynleigh still relishes most her role as a senior leader for the Comets: “My role on this team has been to provide leadership. My senior year I wanted to show the importance of showing up and putting in the work. Fighting through injuries. Hard work pays off. Cheering every single person on.”
Along with running track all four years in high school, Chard also played volleyball and basketball for the Comets.
After the completion of her senior year, Kynleigh plans to attend Washburn University in the fall to run track and major in Radiology.
