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Callaway's Kinley Hester breaks the school record for the Mile – Lagrange Daily News

Callaway's Kinley Hester breaks the school record for the mile

Published at 2:25 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, 2025

At Callaway High there is a new record set. The athletics star Kinley Hester in the first year tears the mile. Hester has already broken the school record twice and currently has the new record with a time of 6:19.

“The first meetings that I could shave freely after 10 seconds, and then I was able to set up the record with a 6:20 for a second, and then I was able to call up another second at my last meeting,” she said.

When Hester hits the route for a competition, she feels free. The junior is used to being under pressure under pressure on the mats for the Callaway Competitative cheerleading team and has translated this cool under pressure with the athletics team.

“I love to compete,” said Hester. “I love the atmosphere of the competition.

While this is her first year at the Callaway Athletics team, Hester is an experienced runner. The Callaway High Junior found back during the Covid 19 pandemic and has not slowed down since then.

“We have a way around the lake on our property and I just started running and running while Covid, and here was the hobby of running,” said Hester.

“It was actually easier to walk on a distance and not to have to do with entrances, hills and everything else,” she added with a laugh.

Hester Running used as a cheerleader of trade to stay in shape for her time. Now it runs with a different purpose.

“In the past, I only ran to stay in shape for cheers and really didn't know how I would feel about the competition part,” she said. “It was really good to get out of my comfort zone first, and now I love it.”

Hester was convinced of getting out for the athletics team this season and had no idea what was to be expected. She knew that she was running long sticks, but that was it.

“I knew that I wanted to make longer distances over the short races, so I just thought that the mile would be for me,” Hester.

When Hester discovered what the record for the mile came from a female runner at the Callaway High School, she set a goal. Now she finds new destinations that you can strive for in her first season.

“I've been found this record since I found, but now I have to set another goal,” she said. “At first I didn't want to do everything about a number and I had no goal when I started, but I found it helpful to have a goal that I should strive for.

“I am currently third in the region and the girl who has second place is a 6:03 mile.

In the course of the season and the team goes to more meetings, it is planned that Hester will give her arsenal even more events. At the moment she only makes the mile, but she has worked to be part of a seasons team and operate the 800 m (half a mile).

If Hester is not on the track (or the mats for the Callaway cheerleading team), you can probably run. Regardless of whether it is at Planet Fitness, the route in the Granger Park or around your parents' property, Hester is now slowing down.