PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles’ Kennedy Bruch brought out a big crowd of supporters who spoke not only about her athleticism, but her determination and her leadership skills.
Bruch signed last week to play volleyball and run track and field at St. Augustine’s College, a private school in Raleigh, N.C. St. Augustine’s competes at the NCAA Div. II level in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
Bruch starred in volleyball and wrestling for the Roughriders. She also runs track and competed last weekend in the district track meet in running events and the shot put.
Port Angeles volleyball coach Jennifer Reynolds said what separates Bruch from other kids is her work ethic.
“Her very first day of practice she was the hardest working person. She told me, ‘I’m going to be the hardest-working athlete you’ve ever seen.’ And she was,” Reynolds said.
Track coach Cheryl Gerardi also spoke of Bruch’s leadership.
“Hopefully, all of you are looking and Kennedy and saying ‘this is where I want to be,’ ” she said. Gerardi said Bruch is just beginning an even bigger adventure entering college life and college sports.
“As exciting as high school is, your life is about to explode,” she said.
Port Angeles wrestling coach Rob Gale said that while Bruch is a great all-around athlete, she is an even better person.
“Thank you for the couple of years I had you. I learned a lot just from being around you,” Gale said.
Bruch, the daughter of Alissa and Jesse Bruch, has been all-league for the Roughriders in both track and wrestling. She played libero and defensive specialist for the Riders’ volleyball team and said volleyball is her favorite sport. She specializes in both the shot put and the 400-meter run in track.
Bruch said she’s getting a full ride at St. Augustine’s and plans to study business management and finance. Unlike a lot of Port Angeles athletes who tend to stay in the Pacific Northwest to play their college sports, Bruch is going nearly 3,000 miles away to Raleigh. She said she’s not concerned about that. When she visited the school, they made her feel more than welcome.
“I loved the team and the community,” she said. “I felt like I’m home”
