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Leading by Example, Gamble Opens 2024 Season with a School Record
1/19/2024 11:21:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
HOUSTON – Breaking a school record is no easy task, but breaking a 27-year-old school record in just your first meet of the season is unheard of. Yet, Rice graduate student Kennedy Gamble did just that. In her second season with the Rice women's track and field team, Gamble continues to shine and leads by example.
To open the 2024 indoor season, the Owls competed at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitation at the University of Houston. After qualifying for the finals in the 60-meter dash, Gamble finished third with a time of 7.36 seconds, breaking the school record of 7.38s set by TaNisha Mills in 1997.
"I was genuinely surprised and excited," Gamble said. "I didn't expect to open the season so fast, but it's a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into my training this off-season. I was able to see it pay off in such a significant way, which was a truly thrilling experience."
The fast start for Gamble came as no surprise for Rice women's track and field head coach Jim Bevan. Entering his 38th season with the Owls, 19th as head coach, Bevan has nearly seen it all.
"I was so proud of Kennedy and for her coach, Laton Smith. To start the season this fast is impressive," Bevan said. "She had a personal best in the prelims, and we knew she had a shot at it in the final. It was an old record held by a tremendous athlete, TaNisha Mills. We've had some great sprinters over the years who couldn't quite get the record, so it's awesome it finally came down. I also want to give a shout-out to the job Laton is doing with the sprint/hurdle group."
Gamble also had a fifth-place finish last week in the 200m with a time of 24.29 seconds, with her personal best of 23.89s sitting close behind the current Rice record of 23.14s. Nevertheless, the impressive start to the season only raises the expectations for Gamble.
"Breaking the school record on the first meet of the season sets a high standard, and it motivates me to continue pushing my limits to see what is truly possible," Gamble said. "I know that achieving more personal bests [makes] reaching my ultimate goal of making indoor and outdoor nationals possible."
For Coach Bevan, he hopes the fast start can help translate into other events for Gamble throughout the season.
"You couldn't ask for a better start, and it bodes well for an outstanding 2024, indoor and outdoor," Bevan said. "The 60 is the shortest race and it should translate to fast 100's and 200's later on."
Although she may be posting some of the fastest times in her career right now, Gamble wasn't always sporting the Rice 'R' on her uniform, spending her first three years with the Stanford Cardinal. After transferring to Rice for the 2022-23 season, Gamble had an immediate impact on the Owls.
"It's been a smooth transition. I was welcomed with open arms by my teammates and coaches," Gamble said. "Competing with the Owls has provided valuable experiences that have contributed to my growth and success on the track."
At the 2023 C-USA Indoor Championships, Gamble contributed 11 points for Rice, finishing third in the 60m, fifth in the 4x400 and seventh in the 200m. At the C-USA Outdoor Championship, Gamble placed third in both the 100m and 200m, while also finishing fifth in the 4x100 and sixth in the 4x400, amassing an astounding 19 points for Rice.
Her efforts helped secure Rice's first conference outdoor championship since the 2016 season. Now, she looks to lead the Owls to another conference championship this season and has been even more focused on reaching the team's and her own goals for the season.
"This season, I have prioritized my off-the-track activities like recovery, nutrition, and sleep significantly more," Gamble said. "These are the things that I knew would give me the edge I needed this season to really go out with a bang, and it seems to be working."
Gamble's growth as a leader has only impressed those around her.
"I have been so very impressed with Kennedy. She is the elder statesman of the group and of our team and she embraces her leadership role," Bevan said. "She has the experience and is applying the lessons she has learned and showing that way to others. I couldn't be more impressed with her."
Although the school record might have been a great first step for Gamble in her 2024 campaign, she has her sights set on greater achievements.
"I want to continue lowering the 60m school record and make it to my first indoor National Championship," Gamble said.
To open the 2024 indoor season, the Owls competed at the Leonard Hilton Memorial Invitation at the University of Houston. After qualifying for the finals in the 60-meter dash, Gamble finished third with a time of 7.36 seconds, breaking the school record of 7.38s set by TaNisha Mills in 1997.
"I was genuinely surprised and excited," Gamble said. "I didn't expect to open the season so fast, but it's a testament to the hard work and dedication I put into my training this off-season. I was able to see it pay off in such a significant way, which was a truly thrilling experience."
The fast start for Gamble came as no surprise for Rice women's track and field head coach Jim Bevan. Entering his 38th season with the Owls, 19th as head coach, Bevan has nearly seen it all.
"I was so proud of Kennedy and for her coach, Laton Smith. To start the season this fast is impressive," Bevan said. "She had a personal best in the prelims, and we knew she had a shot at it in the final. It was an old record held by a tremendous athlete, TaNisha Mills. We've had some great sprinters over the years who couldn't quite get the record, so it's awesome it finally came down. I also want to give a shout-out to the job Laton is doing with the sprint/hurdle group."
Gamble also had a fifth-place finish last week in the 200m with a time of 24.29 seconds, with her personal best of 23.89s sitting close behind the current Rice record of 23.14s. Nevertheless, the impressive start to the season only raises the expectations for Gamble.
"Breaking the school record on the first meet of the season sets a high standard, and it motivates me to continue pushing my limits to see what is truly possible," Gamble said. "I know that achieving more personal bests [makes] reaching my ultimate goal of making indoor and outdoor nationals possible."
For Coach Bevan, he hopes the fast start can help translate into other events for Gamble throughout the season.
"You couldn't ask for a better start, and it bodes well for an outstanding 2024, indoor and outdoor," Bevan said. "The 60 is the shortest race and it should translate to fast 100's and 200's later on."
Although she may be posting some of the fastest times in her career right now, Gamble wasn't always sporting the Rice 'R' on her uniform, spending her first three years with the Stanford Cardinal. After transferring to Rice for the 2022-23 season, Gamble had an immediate impact on the Owls.
"It's been a smooth transition. I was welcomed with open arms by my teammates and coaches," Gamble said. "Competing with the Owls has provided valuable experiences that have contributed to my growth and success on the track."
At the 2023 C-USA Indoor Championships, Gamble contributed 11 points for Rice, finishing third in the 60m, fifth in the 4x400 and seventh in the 200m. At the C-USA Outdoor Championship, Gamble placed third in both the 100m and 200m, while also finishing fifth in the 4x100 and sixth in the 4x400, amassing an astounding 19 points for Rice.
Her efforts helped secure Rice's first conference outdoor championship since the 2016 season. Now, she looks to lead the Owls to another conference championship this season and has been even more focused on reaching the team's and her own goals for the season.
"This season, I have prioritized my off-the-track activities like recovery, nutrition, and sleep significantly more," Gamble said. "These are the things that I knew would give me the edge I needed this season to really go out with a bang, and it seems to be working."
Gamble's growth as a leader has only impressed those around her.
"I have been so very impressed with Kennedy. She is the elder statesman of the group and of our team and she embraces her leadership role," Bevan said. "She has the experience and is applying the lessons she has learned and showing that way to others. I couldn't be more impressed with her."
Although the school record might have been a great first step for Gamble in her 2024 campaign, she has her sights set on greater achievements.
"I want to continue lowering the 60m school record and make it to my first indoor National Championship," Gamble said.
Players Mentioned
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