This Fall sees the return of 'The Exchange Zone,' with athletes talking to athletes about their seasons, their training, and what makes them tick. With us this fall are two former New York athletes, with Ryan Healy taking on the Boys Interviews, and Izzie Sullivan taking on the girls. Be sure to tune in and get to know your favorite athletes across the Empire State, and beyond.
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Kyleen Brady: Leaving A Legacy at Auburn High
Kyleen Brady (Auburn) has been in the running conversation at every level since seventh grade. Over the years, she has consistently worked her way into the conversation about top tier competitors, working her way up from Sectional talent, to State, and finally with her 2024 NXN debut, a National level athlete.
Brady, now a senior looking to capitalize on her last go in the high school ranks has added a new challenge: she's now team captain.
This has shifted her place on the team; "It's definitely made me take on more of a leadership role," Brady says. "A positive team environment really makes you wanna go to practice every day and get it done. Leading stretches, encouraging the younger athletes, it's all building on the experience for the team."
Legacy is not only what you do for others, but also what you can achieve through their support in return. Brady is still working to create another year full of personal records, school records, and team successes.
Those successes have not always come in a straight line.
"Last year's sectional cross country meet, (we) lost by one point, but it led to some strong team bonding and future great performances."
Despite the team loss, Brady's season would continue. She won the individual title in that same race, which allowed her to compete at the New York State Championships. There, she would finish in tenth.
The longer the season went on, the more improvement Brady saw. Two weeks later, where the Federation Championship had merged with NXR-NY for the first time, Brady moved all the way up to 6th in the race that merges all teams from across New York. It was her personal best on the course, and qualified her for NXN. Her first Season in Oregon, she took 79th with an 18:45.5 performance, the third-highest placing New York individual.
"Last season was very confidence-boosting. I think I really learned more about how to fuel my body, and doing the little things like eating better and sleeping better. I think all that has helped me train better and become a better runner."
This newfound confidence Brady has found has led to strong training over the Summer.
"The summer training really helps to keep my mind in check. I was able to increase my mileage and it's made me a stronger runner."
Those efforts showed in Brady's opening races.
At the Mustang Invitational, held on the same course that the Section 3 Championships, she opened her season with a win. Going into it her goal was simply "just to give an all out effort" knowing the conditions were less than ideal.
Brady ran a solid opener on a slippery course in 17:49.40, winning handily by 9.8 seconds overall in the merge.
"It felt really nice, the weather conditions weren't great, it was nice opening up pretty strong."
Brady followed that up by running 17:59.30 at the Queensbury Pre-State Invitational placing her 5th in the girls Division 4 race against some of the states best.
Both courses hold significance later in the Season.
"I'm hoping for a PR at Sectionals, when the course is in better condition. It was nice to just get back into Cross Country. I just really like going up hills and getting a little muddy."
Conditions were a little bit nicer this past weekend at Baldwinsville.
She clocked another competitive performance placing second behind the State's Top Returner, Tsadia Bercuvitz.
It's all preparation for making another run at NXN.
"The goal is definitely to make it back. I think the steps I've taken are working."
