Photo by: Trev Mozingo
Kennedy Brings in Three Additions for Next Season
4/23/2015 1:06:00 PM | Men's Cross Country, Men's Track and Field, Women's Cross Country, Women's Track and Field, Track & Field
Montana State Track and Field signed three stand-out student-athletes for the 2015-16 season, head coach Dale Kennedy announced last week. All three runners will look to make an immediate impact on the team, filling in gaps of seniors who are graduating in May.
Holly Anderson (Dillon, MT) – Despite running for a smaller Class A school in the state of Montana, Anderson ranks among the top of the hurdlers from class AA-C. The senior holds the fastest time thus far in 2015 in the 100-meter hurdles (14.72) and the second fastest time in the 300-meter hurdles (45.33). Hailey Phillips (Plains, MT), soon to be teammate of Anderson, is the only 300-meter hurdler who has marked a faster 300-meter hurdle time this season. Anderson holds four Beaverhead County High School records, was the state champion in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles in 2014 and has earned All-State and All-Conference honors headed into the final few weeks of her senior season. She is a captain and varsity letter holder in volleyball and basketball.
Anderson, a 4.0 honor roll student, is intending to major in nursing. She is the class president, Valedictorian, a member of National Honor Society and is a four year Academic All-State honoree.
"Holly is one of the top kids in Montana right now," Coach Kennedy said. "She's going to play a huge role in the sprints, hurdles and relays, filling the shoes of some of our graduates. We look for well-rounded student-athletes to recruit to our program and Holly is just that. She's involved her community and excels in the classroom and will be a great addition to our roster."
Kendra Larson (Loveland, CO) – Larson found her way to the top of her high school's record book as a freshman, breaking the 300-meter and 400-meter hurdles record. She was named All-Conference and crowned a 4A Colorado State Champion in two events and was part of the State Champion Team. Since her freshman year, she's been a member of another State Champion Team in cross country, while earning two runner-up trophies. Larson has numerous all-conference and all-state accolades to add to her resume, in addition to being named the Reporter Herald track athlete of the year as a sophomore.
Larson is coming to MSU to pursue an Engineering degree. She is an AP scholar with honors, is a member of French Honor Society and is a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award. The senior is an active member of National Honor Society and volunteers at Duncan's Place, the City of Loveland Heart Painting, the Larimer County Canned Food Drive and with the Crossroads Church Project.
"Kendra is capable of running a wide range of events that will impact the team from mid-distance to hurdles. She has the capability to come in as a freshman and really compete at a high level. Just as all of our student-athletes, Kendra has done fantastic on the academic side and in the community."
Andrew Vandine (Spokane, WA) – After earning letters as a freshman and sophomore in track and cross country, Andrew Vandine jumped to the top of North Central High School distance crew, placing seventh overall at the 2014 3A State Cross Country Championships. He was named First Team All-GLS and was a member of the NCHS State Championship team for two years (ninth consecutive). The senior placed 57th at the Nike Cross Nationals in route to a 3rd place team finish. He was the team captain as a junior and senior and won the 800 at Districts as a junior.
The Spokane, Wash. native has a 4.0 GPS and was named a Distinguished Valedictorian for the Class of 2015. Vandine, the 2015 Greater Spokane League Scholar Athlete of 2015, is planning on going into Chemical Engineering at MSU. He is a volunteer at Riverside State Park and was a Youth Group student leader.
"As a junior, Andrew was already running times that will put him to the next level," MSU's distance coach Lyle Weese said. "His 1600-meter mark is one of the fastest we've ever brought into this program. He's going to make an immediate impact in cross country and track because he is already at a high level that we can build on. Andrew is an incredible student with great grades and good test score."
Holly Anderson (Dillon, MT) – Despite running for a smaller Class A school in the state of Montana, Anderson ranks among the top of the hurdlers from class AA-C. The senior holds the fastest time thus far in 2015 in the 100-meter hurdles (14.72) and the second fastest time in the 300-meter hurdles (45.33). Hailey Phillips (Plains, MT), soon to be teammate of Anderson, is the only 300-meter hurdler who has marked a faster 300-meter hurdle time this season. Anderson holds four Beaverhead County High School records, was the state champion in the 100-meter and 300-meter hurdles in 2014 and has earned All-State and All-Conference honors headed into the final few weeks of her senior season. She is a captain and varsity letter holder in volleyball and basketball.
Anderson, a 4.0 honor roll student, is intending to major in nursing. She is the class president, Valedictorian, a member of National Honor Society and is a four year Academic All-State honoree.
"Holly is one of the top kids in Montana right now," Coach Kennedy said. "She's going to play a huge role in the sprints, hurdles and relays, filling the shoes of some of our graduates. We look for well-rounded student-athletes to recruit to our program and Holly is just that. She's involved her community and excels in the classroom and will be a great addition to our roster."
Kendra Larson (Loveland, CO) – Larson found her way to the top of her high school's record book as a freshman, breaking the 300-meter and 400-meter hurdles record. She was named All-Conference and crowned a 4A Colorado State Champion in two events and was part of the State Champion Team. Since her freshman year, she's been a member of another State Champion Team in cross country, while earning two runner-up trophies. Larson has numerous all-conference and all-state accolades to add to her resume, in addition to being named the Reporter Herald track athlete of the year as a sophomore.
Larson is coming to MSU to pursue an Engineering degree. She is an AP scholar with honors, is a member of French Honor Society and is a recipient of the Academic Excellence Award. The senior is an active member of National Honor Society and volunteers at Duncan's Place, the City of Loveland Heart Painting, the Larimer County Canned Food Drive and with the Crossroads Church Project.
"Kendra is capable of running a wide range of events that will impact the team from mid-distance to hurdles. She has the capability to come in as a freshman and really compete at a high level. Just as all of our student-athletes, Kendra has done fantastic on the academic side and in the community."
Andrew Vandine (Spokane, WA) – After earning letters as a freshman and sophomore in track and cross country, Andrew Vandine jumped to the top of North Central High School distance crew, placing seventh overall at the 2014 3A State Cross Country Championships. He was named First Team All-GLS and was a member of the NCHS State Championship team for two years (ninth consecutive). The senior placed 57th at the Nike Cross Nationals in route to a 3rd place team finish. He was the team captain as a junior and senior and won the 800 at Districts as a junior.
The Spokane, Wash. native has a 4.0 GPS and was named a Distinguished Valedictorian for the Class of 2015. Vandine, the 2015 Greater Spokane League Scholar Athlete of 2015, is planning on going into Chemical Engineering at MSU. He is a volunteer at Riverside State Park and was a Youth Group student leader.
"As a junior, Andrew was already running times that will put him to the next level," MSU's distance coach Lyle Weese said. "His 1600-meter mark is one of the fastest we've ever brought into this program. He's going to make an immediate impact in cross country and track because he is already at a high level that we can build on. Andrew is an incredible student with great grades and good test score."
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Cross Country
Tuesday, May 14
Thursday, August 16
Monday, June 18
Saturday, May 12
