On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, Central Bucks East seniors Samantha Barrett, Elizabeth Huuki, Leah Kendrick and Taylor Kennedy were recognized for committing to compete in track and field at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/042616_signings_mjs
Samantha Barrett – Brandeis University (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Major: Constitutional and International Law with aspirations of becoming a United States Senator or Supreme Court Justice
Final list of colleges: Brandeis, Dickinson, Washington & Jefferson, American University, University of Pennsylvania
Reasons for choosing Brandeis: “I visited there a couple of weeks ago, and the minute I stepped on campus I felt absolutely at home. Beforehand, we had this giant group chat, and I made a bunch of friends already, but just stepping on the campus and meeting the coaches and meeting some of the team members on the cross country and track teams, I just felt at home, and it felt like I could spend the next four years here.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in cross country and track and field at the collegiate level? “Last year I started thinking about – do I want to continue track and cross country into college because I just started in the program four years ago as a freshman. I had been horseback riding, so my plan was, ‘I’ll ride horses in college,’ but last year something just clicked and I really want to do track and cross country in college. When I was looking for schools, that was one of the criteria – can I do the track and cross country program there. That wasn’t a make it or break it kind of deal, but I’m very happy and very appreciative that I’m able to do this.”
Assistant coach Cardwell Wootten says: “Samantha was a transplant from the distance program and said she wanted to hurdle a couple of years ago. We said, ‘All right, let’s give it a shot,’ and she picked it up wonderfully. A lot of girls it takes them a few years to have the confidence to hurdle, and she took to it like anything. Now she fights to be the third or fourth best hurdler on the team and we definitely should see her in the league meet this year. I’m nicely surprised. She should be ready to go to Brandeis and run pretty well.”
About Samantha:
Favorite food: Chocolate or Pancakes
Favorite movie: War Horse
Favorite music: Country
Elizabeth Huuki – United States Military Academy at West Point (Cross Country/Track & Field)
Major: Pre-Med/Biology
Final list of colleges: West Point, Western State Colorado
Reasons for choosing West Point: “It was the first college I really looked into. I sent in my recruiting form, and the coach called me. We got along really well on the phone, and I said, ‘Okay, I’ll check it out.’ I went up there, and when I got there, it just clicked. Everything just fit me so well. I literally went there and I’m like ‘This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.’ I hate cities and all of that, but I just felt so at home there. I talked to the people, and it just feels like I fit in there like a glove.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track and cross country at the collegiate level? “I have been running since I was seven, so 10 years later, I still love it. Even though I’ve had some injuries, it’s still a part of my life. I could never imagine myself doing anything else or not doing it. I always thought in my brain, ‘Of course, I’m going to run in college.’”
Coach Sam Losorelli says: “I think Elizabeth always knew that she would be participating in college. That was a given even in ninth grade. Elizabeth will go over and above the call of duty to train to be the best.”
About Elizabeth:
Favorite food: Any kind of berries – raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, all berries.
Favorite movie: Saving Private Ryan
Favorite music: “I really like alternative rock, so right now the Arctic Monkeys are my jam, and I’ve been listening to the Black Keys.”
Leah Kendrick – Carnegie Mellon University (Track & Field)
Major: Architecture and Design
Major: Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse, Drexel, Cornell, Virginia Tech
Reasons for choosing Carnegie Mellon: “I want to major in Architecture and Design, and they have a top 10 program. I was obviously attracted to that. I talked to the coach, and the track family just seemed so nice, and the coach was really, really nice. I felt like their athletic program really stressed that academics are very important and that athletics would come later, but you want to be dedicated and stay with it and be passionate.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I always considered it. I was considering doing Division One track, but once I decided I wanted to major in architecture – it’s very demanding, so I thought that D-3 would be a great choice for me.”
Coach Cardwell Wootten says: “Leah was the surprise athlete, especially last year. She’s been with me for four years hurdling, but she’s always been in the shadow of one of our former athletes, Grace Becker, as far as hurdling goes. This year she just really shot out of the cannon, and in the indoor season, she set a new school record in the 60 hurdles, medaled at the indoor states. This year she’s set to try and break the outdoor record in the 100 hurdles, so we’re hoping that goes well. She has the chance of actually being the league champion in the 300 and 100 hurdles if we can put everything together and make the cards go right. That would be a great way to finish her senior year.”
About Leah:
Favorite food: “I love all food, but salmon.”
Favorite movie: Whiplash
Favorite music: Alternative/Indie
Taylor Kennedy – Bucknell University (Track & Field)
Major: Engineering
Final list of colleges: Bucknell, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, University of Maryland
Reasons for choosing Bucknell: “We were compiling a list of schools that had good track programs and also had good engineering programs, so Bucknell was one of those on the list. They offered me an official visit, so when I went to visit, the campus was really nice, and all the girls on the team were really welcoming and friendly. I could definitely see myself there, so that’s the school I ended up picking.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I only started doing track in high school, and I just loved being on a team. I couldn’t really see myself not being part of a team like that in college, so that’s something I definitely wanted to pursue.”
Assistant coach Steve Martin says: “Taylor is one of our top sprinters. I think she’ll adjust quite well to the college level. She takes on challenges very well, she handles herself with a lot of confidence under pressure, and she always strives to be the best.”
About Taylor:
Favorite food: Any kind of pasta
Favorite movie: The Hunger Games/Harry Potter Series
Favorite music: Alternative
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