Salute To Seniors: Jimmy Kaldor- Bishop Kenny High School


The 2015-2016 school year has provided some great highlights in both cross country and track across the Sunshine State. In the coming weeks many of our seniors will head out to start their college careers both athletically and academically. We wanted to salute them one more time in this special feature and say thank you for your support over the years.

Flrunners.com: What was your most memorable race/moment?

James Kaldor: My most memorable race was the first time I broke 10 minutes in the 3200. It was at the FSU Relays my junior year in an extremely packed race. I remember I was in a giant front pack with guys running out in lanes 2 and 3 past the mile. Once the pack started dissolving around lap 5, I knew I was just on pace to meet my goal of breaking 10, but I still had to start picking it up to make sure I'd still get there. Once I crossed the finish line I knew it was going to be close so I waited on the track to see the results flash on the board. I saw "9:58" next to my name and I've never been more excited after a race.

FLR: Who would you consider your biggest competition over the past four years?

JK: My biggest competition has been my teammates. Throughout my four years, my class has always had a big group of guys at the top pushing each other to get better. In both cross country and track. My senior teammates, Adam Bibeault, Beau Butler, Eric Chiotti, Mason Gerry, and I all fought to have the top mark in each event. This pushed us to become better as a team and more versatile runners individually from every distance 800 meters to 5k.

FLR: What was your greatest accomplishment?

JK: My greatest accomplishment has been earning a scholarship to compete at a division 1 university next year.



FLR: If you could do it all over again what would you change about your running career in high school?

JK: I would change the fact that I didn't run cross country my freshman year. I had my first experience running in middle school but I never really fell in love with the sport. When I got to high school I decided to skip cross country for football but I soon realized how much I missed running. I switched back during track that year and never looked back.

FLR: What were the most difficult obstacles you had to overcome?

JK: I have been plagued with injuries especially this past year. I never ran a single race in cross country my senior season because of a stress fracture and in track I was never able to get back into top form because of other nagging minor problems.even despite these setbacks, I will still be competing in college next year with a scholarship.

FLR: What will you miss the most?

JK:
will miss all the great friends I made and the experiences we shared at practice and overnight trips. My school has a huge team so most of my friends also ran. I formed a very strong bond with all of them, especially the ones I've been with from the beginning.

FLR: What advice would you give to younger athletes?

JK: Whenever you come across setbacks, never give up. Something like an injury may put you out for a while, but the worst thing you can do is let that affect you mentally as well as physically. If you decide that you'll never be able to come back that just might happen, but if you resolve to come back stronger than ever you'll get back to where you were and even farther.



FLR: What influence has your coach had with respect to your performance and overall life goals?

JK: My coach, Kevin Curran, has had a huge impact on me. With each crazy new workout he'd introduce that left us nearly dead upon completion, he continued to fine tune our bodies and push them to new limits. Without his guidance in training, I would not have been that athlete I've become. He has also imparted on me valuable life skills such as goal setting that will aid me for years to come. In teaching me how to set and achieve running goals, h s helped me learn to achieve other goals as well.

FLR: What are your college plans?

JK: In the fall I will be attending the University of South Carolina Upstate on a track and cross country scholarship. I will be competing in the Atlantic Sun Conference.

FLR: Who would you like to say thank you to?

JK: I'd like to thank all my coaches for training me to the level I am today, all my teammates for pushing me everyday and being great friends, my parents for encouraging my dreams and buying many, many pairs of shoes, and God for giving me a gift.

FLR: Is there anything you'd like to add?

JK: These boys are my heart. Go BK Crusaders and go Upstate Spartans!