In early July, Kendall Barnhart, Kate Scanlan, Willow Novak, and Alex Vellekoop competed as a medley relay team in the 2021 Outdoor Nationals. The Guilderland High School students competed in the 1600 Split Medley Relay; among the 40 athletes in this event, they placed sixth. Sixth place in national competition gives the GHS medley relay team the distinction of being All-American athletes.
As a team, the four athletes broke the GHS record for the 1600 Split Medley Relay at the New York State Showcase about two weeks prior to Nationals. All four athletes spent the winter and spring seasons training by running for the GHS outdoor track team and ultimately qualifying for the 2021 Outdoor Nationals. Barnhart is entering 10th grade, Scanlan and Novak are entering 12th grade. Vellekoop, who graduated from GHS in June, will be attending the University of Connecticut in the fall, where she will run track.
Outdoor Nationals is a four-day event that draws the top track and field athletes in the country. Approximately 2,500 high school athletes competed at the event held at Hayward Field at the University of Oregon. The week prior to the GHS students arriving, the Olympic trials were held there.
Congratulations, Kendall Barnhart, Kate Scanlan, Willow Novak, and Alex Vellekoop. You make Guilderland proud!
