Photo by Sophia Rogers
By Angela Brunk
Ryleigh Kelley, a senior at Derby High School, is a dedicated member of the varsity cross country team with big goals for her final season. As a returning runner, Kelley is aiming to break the 22-minute mark in the 5K and play a key role in helping her team qualify for the state meet.
Kelley is especially looking forward to competing at regionals this year, with hopes of returning to the iconic Rim Rock course located in Lawrence. Her preparation for the season didn’t start at the beginning of the season. Throughout the off-season, she and her teammates committed to training together. They would log long, easy runs some days, and some days the team would push through more intense threshold runs. The consistent effort has helped the team grow closer and stronger.
Last season, the Derby girls’ cross country team placed 5th at regionals, a proud moment that showed just how much progress each runner had made throughout the season. For Kelley, it was a clear sign of how far she had come individually and as a team.
In addition to cross country, Kelley also competes in track during the spring season, where she continues to build her endurance and speed. After graduation this spring, Kelley plans to attend Neumann University next fall and major in sonography to pursue a future in healthcare.
As her senior season unfolds, Ryleigh Kelley remains focused on her goals, grateful for the journey, and determined to make her final year one to remember.
