LINK: Senior Sendoff Submission Survey
This week's edition of Milesplit Mississippi Senior Sendoff highlights the exceptional accomplishments of Kennedy Stringfellow, a graduate of Brandon High School. Stringfellow is continuing his academic and athletic endeavors at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS.
Stringfellow plans on majoring in business, which will provide a solid foundation and understanding of essential areas of business such as finance, accounting, marketing, and management, and will provide him with analytical and financial skills to make valuable contributions to an organization.
On the track, Stringfellow will be a jumping and sprinting specialist for the Bulldogs. Over the course of his high school career, he cemented himself as one of the best sprinters in the history of high school track and field in Mississippi. During his senior season, he was undefeated in the Long Jump and earned his first MHSAA 6A State Championship title, in a personal best mark of 25-4. This effort not only led him to a state title, but it is also the best Long Jump mark of any high schooler in Mississippi history. In addition, he was also undefeated in the 200m dash this season and took home an MHSAA 6A state title.
Stringfellow will be joining an elite jumping contingent at Mississippi State. The Bulldogs boast one of the best jumpers in the country in Cameron Crump, a fellow Mississippi alumni from Strayhorn High School in Sarah, Miss. At the 2023 NCAA DI Championships in Austin, Tex., Crump leaped a distance of 25'11.5" to secure a fifth place finish in the nation and first team All-American honors. During the 2023 indoor season, Crump was also named as the SEC Indoor Men's Field Athlete of the Year.
With such a strong program Stringfellow is stepping into, he is poised to be an impactful jumper for Mississippi State in the years to come.
Milesplit Mississippi congratulates Kennedy Stringfellow on his success and wishes him all the best as he continues to elevate his athletics and academics to the next level.
*Interview Below*
Q: Explain your 'track and field journey'... (How did you get into running, how did your senior season go, and how did you get connected with the college that you are going to?)
A: I've always run when my dad had to train people. Until 8th grade I hated track and knew I wouldn't be a track runner, until I tried it. My senior season went well. I was still hungry for more towards the end but I love that I finished in the Mississippi Long jump record books and with 2 state champion wins.
Q: What is your most memorable meet/race and why?
A: When I broke 24ft in long jump at south state. During the competition I had already PR'D by inches before my last jump and I just wanted to jump 23ft. After jumping I felt like I could be good in track on the college circuit. After that meet was when colleges began to reach out.
Q: Out of all your high school achievements, which one means the most to you and why?
A: Holding the Mississippi High school long jump record because I feel like anyone can jump, but jumping farther than anyone else in Mississippi means a lot to me.
Q: If you could go back and do it all over again, what would you change, if anything?
A: Not at all
Q: Who is somebody that you look up to/someone that helped you along your journey to get you where you are today?
A: My dad, Savante Stringfellow
Q: What will you miss the most?
A: The relationship made with my teammates throughout the years.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to the younger athletes that are just getting started on their journey?
A: Turn up every chance you get, keep your body healthy, and if you have the chance to do something pretty cool then take that chance.