Jersey Shore’s Kimble has continued to improve in track
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While coaching at the middle school level two years ago, current Jersey Shore track and field head coach Monica Richards got to observe the early growth of Aaralynn Kimble firsthand. Despite her youth, Kimble was already showing signs of potential, an athlete that could be expected to bring excitement to the Bulldog faithful in the coming years.
"When she came out, I was just floored," said Richards on Kimble. "I was like, 'This is gonna be a great athlete. She's going to have so much potential going into high school.'"
Now a freshman, that potential -- while not fully realized yet has become abundantly apparent at the next level. Through less than a full season with the team, Kimble heads into her first District 4 Class AAA stint as one of its biggest standouts.
What stands out the most about Kimble's freshman season isn't just the high placements she's earned. It's the progress she's made throughout the campaign. Whether it be in sprints, mid-distance or the 300-meter hurdles, the Bulldog has been able to turn decent starting times into some of the best in the district, hitting multiple huge PRs in the weeks leading up to the postseason.
When discussing her keys to success, she was quick to shout out her coaches and teammates but also credited some of it to the doubt surrounding her. While those that have seen her practice and compete know what she's capable of, some might be quick to write her off due to her age, and she uses that as motivation.
"Having people be like, 'You can't do this; you can't do that,' and then you go and prove them wrong out there," said Kimble on her motivators. "My teammates pushing me and just confidence too, the confidence to go into your race thinking of going hard."
Of her four main events - the 100, 200, 400 and 300-meter hurdles, Kimble has hit a PR in her most recent competition in all but one, with her most recent PR in the 100-meter dash coming in her second most recent attempt. With that momentum, the Shore freshman heads into her first postseason with plenty of confidence.
"It feels really good to be PR'ing a lot recently," said Kimble on her success. "It just feels good."
From the start of the season, she's cut almost a second off her 100 and second-and-a-half off her 200, dropped time every time she's raced the 400 and cut over four seconds in the 300-meter hurdles.
Those latter two featured her biggest PRs of the season, as Kimble dropped a second-and-a-half off her 300 at the PHAC North Freshman-Sophomore Meet and .97 seconds off her 400 at PHACs. They also both saw her claim silver, with the latter being a state-qualifying time (58.01).
Heading into districts, she stands at No. 2 in the district in both the 400 and 300-meter hurdles. Though the two athletes standing in her way of gold - Williamsport's Keiani Whaley and Aubrey Phillips-Cobb respectively - will make it difficult to take first, she could clinch multiple state bids if she matches her 400 PR and cuts .2 seconds off her 300.
Being at that point is an assuring sight for herself and Richards, who can't wait to see what Kimble accomplishes next.
"She's just a strong athlete all around," said Richards on Kimble. "To have her running these times through her freshman year, we're all excited to see what she does here and through the next three years with the program."