Kiara Kennedy is eager to get back in the pool for South Side’s girls’ swim team after a memorable 2019 campaign saw her break three school records, capture a Nassau County championship and earn All-America honors.
“It was really an exciting year,” said Kennedy, who as a sophomore last fall won the county title in the 100-yard backstroke and placed third in the 100-yard butterfly. “I have such a blast with all the girls,” she added. “We’re a close group.”
Kennedy was named a National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) High School All-America in the 100-yard backstroke. She placed third in the state in the event while setting a new program record with a time of 55.50 seconds. She’s the first South Side female swimmer to earn All-America honors since Daphne Skelos, a 2006 graduate, and was one of only 32 sophomores or freshmen in the nation to receive the honor.
“I realized the potential I had in the backstroke and it put a goal in my head,” said Kennedy, who began swimming at the age of 8 and competes year-round at the club level for Long Island Aquatic.
Cyclones coach Ryan Clark said Kennedy has always possessed the basic building blocks to become a big-time swimmer. “Kiara’s been on varsity since seventh grade and by the time she graduates, she’ll be a six-time county qualifier,” Clark said. “She’s talented and so competitive. She has a great strength and conditioning training routine with her club so I concentrate on giving her sprint specific workouts. She’s taken to that training better as she’s gotten older.”