By Mark Ambrogi
Center Grove High School thrower Kylie Crum finished her high school career with a special showing.
Crum finished sixth in the shot put with a throw of 41 feet, 8.25 inches in her first state track and field meet June 3 in Bloomington, Ind.
“Getting on the podium senior was amazing,” Crum said. “I put some much time and effort into my training this year, and it’s nice to see it pay off. It’s also amazing because I was throwing 35 feet consistently last year and to have a personal best over 41 feet is amazing. I really focused on breaking down my form and making improvements where they were needed.”
Crum said her motivation is self-driven.
“I know that I have more to learn and more effort to give to be the best thrower I can be, and that is what pushes me to continue to practice,” she said.
Crum said her father John Crum, and late mother Sheryl Crum have always been supportive and encouraging. That support has given her confidence, she said. Sheryl died in January at age 46 from COVID-19.
Crum will compete for Milwaukee School of Engineering’s track and field team. The school competes in NCAA Division III athletics.
“I got attached to Milwaukee because of the campus as well as the coaching staff,” Crum said. “There is some much to do on and off of campus because it is located in downtown Milwaukee.
Crum will continue to throw the shot and discus and said she also hopes to throw the hammer and the weight.
“I have tried throwing hammer before and I absolutely love throwing it,” she said. “I haven’t been able to spend much time focusing on hammer though seeing as we cannot throw it in high school.”
She enjoys the individual and team portion of track and field.
“I started throwing in seventh grade because one of my teachers was a coach for the track team and he told me that I should try throwing,” Crum said. “I really liked throwing from the start and my love for the sport only grew the more I learned about throwing. I love the team and individual aspect of track. I am part of a team and I want to earn points to help my team place first overall, but I also get to compete for myself regardless of how the team does.”
Crum played soccer for 13 years.
“I have always been a goalie in soccer,” she said. “I love being able to see the whole field and having the ability to help my teammates out.”
THE CRUM FILE
AGE: 18
HEIGHT: 5-foot-9
SPORTS: Track and field and soccer
CLASS: 2022 Center Grove High School graduate
COLLEGE PLANS: Will attend Milwaukee School of Engineering to major in civic engineering and compete for the track and field team.
HOBBIES: Baking, playing board games, hiking, swimming and playing soccer
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: North Carolina
FAVORITE SUBJECT: Math
FAVORITE MOVIE: “Remember the Titans”
PARENTS: John Crum and the late Sheryl Crum. Stepmother is Vicki Crum.
