The odds were against Kelsey Carmean at the Summit League Outdoor Track and Field Championships in May. She was a freshman at Oakland University, racing against older, more experienced runners. Not to mention, her ankle was wrapped due to a case of tendonitis.
None of that was not enough to stop Carmean.
The 19-year-old Brandon resident broke Oakland University’s school record for the 10,000 meter race, clocking in at 38:02.70.
She beat the previous record by more than 29 seconds. She took seventh place in the race.
‘I didn’t expect to do so well this season,? Carmean said. ‘It was awesome breaking the record. I was so surprised.?
Carmean ran with Oakland on an athletic scholarship. She runs track and cross country for the Golden Grizzlies.
She cannot decide which racing setting she prefers.
‘Track is on a flat surface, so you can go faster, but I love cross country because you’re out in the open field,? the runner said.
Carmean has been running for as long as her mother can remember. Linda Carmean said she remembers her daughter taking first place in a children’s race when Kelsey was in sixth grade.