The Cupertino Courier

Sports

Kennedy running a successful program

By Mike Barnhart

Kennedy Middle School's cross country program over the past decade has been a huge success.

Under the leadership of teacher and coach Andy Murray, Kennedy boys and girls have racked up 27 league championships--including four this fall--and five county titles. More impressive than the victories, though, has been the participation. Murray's successful program has grown into a tradition.

"In 10 years, I have had about 1,000 runners go through my program," Murray explained. "In each of the last five years, I have had over 100 runners."

Murray was impressed in 2006, when he had a record 125 boys and girls--eighth-graders, seventh-graders and sixth-graders. This fall the numbers swelled again, and the 138 runners provided Murray with his most satisfying season.

"It was super, incredible, the must fun I ever had," the enthusiastic coach recalled. "Winning was great, but the highlights for me were the camaraderie of the kids and the looks on their faces when they enjoyed success."

The eighth-grade boys team was Kennedy's biggest winner this season, beating out 10 other teams for first place at the Valley Junior High School Athletic League finals, then moving on to record the best team score in a sectional meet at Campbell's J.D. Morgan Park.

Leading the way for the eighth-grade boys were Keith Yuen, Collin Warner, Arif Hasan, Aaron Ho and Cameron Yates, while Sammi Howard and April Saia paced the eighth-grade girls. Nikki Lou, Carmella Vong and Hannah DeBeats also were key performers for the girls.

Individual league champion Mimi Akaogi was the leader of the seventh-grade girls race and Karen Feng was Kennedy's top sixth-grade girl. Individual champion Takuto Dashiro sparked Kennedy's second-place finish among sixth-grade boys. The seventh-grade boys, paced by David Freudenstein, also placed second in the league finals.

To add to the tradition, Murray started perpetual awards this fall, honoring two eighth-graders--a boy and a girl--who exemplify attitude, effort and inspiration. The inaugural winners were Howard for the girls and Yuen for the boys.

Murray named the girls award after current Monta Vista High School junior Jean Feng, who already has fashioned a fine high school career.

"Of all the runners that I've coached, Jean had the best combination of talent, heart and dedication, so we named the award after her," Murray explained.

Feng is just one of many Kennedy alumni that have returned over the years to visit their former coach.

"It's great when kids come back, saying they had a lot of fun being a part of our program," Murray said.