Rising Stars: Kendall L.

At just 12 years old, Kendall has become one of Elevated Distance Training’s most inspiring young athletes. Now in her third year with the program, she’s had a breakthrough season — improving her race times by an average of 90 seconds per race over last year’s marks. That kind of progress doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of day-in, day-out consistency, a positive attitude, and the kind of quiet determination that defines a true competitor.

While Kendall may be soft-spoken, her actions speak louder than words. She shows up to every practice ready to put in the work, never cutting corners, and always finding a way to lift up the teammates around her. Her coaches describe her as a natural leader — one who doesn’t need to talk the loudest to make an impact. Her work ethic, grit, and commitment set the tone for everyone who trains beside her.

This season, Kendall has her sights set on becoming an All-American at AAU Nationals, as well as breaking the 6-minute barrier in the mile. With impressive PRs of 2:58 in the 800m, 6:15 in the 1600m, 12:37 in the 3K, and 23:58 in the 5K, those goals are well within reach. She’s already proud of breaking 6:30 in the mile and 13 minutes in the 3K — both huge milestones that reflect just how far she’s come.

Kendall’s favorite season is cross country, where every course brings something new — water crossings, hay bale jumps, and plenty of opportunities to push limits. For her, racing is about more than times or placements; it’s about competing with heart and seeing the payoff from all the work she’s put in.

Off the course, Kendall brings the same creativity and focus to her hobbies as she does to her running. She loves baking, crafting, and making homemade gifts for friends and family. Her race day favorites include spaghetti and meatballs the night before, and a steak bowl from Chipotle to celebrate afterward. And of course, her favorite ChicknLegs design — the pickles — adds a little personality to her racing fit.

When asked about her favorite memory with EDT, Kendall smiles at the thought of traveling with the team, laughing, and playing hide and seek during meets. For her, running with Elevated isn’t just about competition — it’s about connection. “Elevated is more than running,” she says. “It’s about eating donuts, making new friends, and adding songs to our playlist.”

Her advice to new runners captures her mindset perfectly: “Trust the process and remember running is your own journey.”

Kendall’s journey so far has been one of steady growth, quiet confidence, and big results — and it’s only just getting started.