Middle school swimmer breaks Kennedy school record, qualifies for state

Oak Grove Middle School 8th grade student Kaylee Von Ruden set a new school record for the Kennedy Girls Swim and Dive team and is Kennedy’s first swimmer from the girls team to qualify for state since 2013. Von Ruden finished the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1:00.92 at the Section 2A Finals on Nov. 10. The school record was previously set in 2001. 

The team placed fifth overall at the Section 2A meet, with the girls earning a combined 41 personal best times at the meet. Additionally, head coach and Oak Grove Middle School physical education teacher Todd Walsh was named Section 2A Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State High School Swim and Dive Coaches Association.

Von Ruden will compete at the Class A Swimming and Diving state championships meet on Nov. 17-18 at the Jean K Freeman Aquatic Center at the University of Minnesota.