All-American Kennedy Sauder: Liberty Freshman Earns Honor At Nationals

Concluding an impressive freshman campaign, Liberty Flame Kennedy Sauder finished the 2021-2022 season with a tied 13th-place finish in the high jump at the 2022 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships. 

Sauder’s finish at nationals only added to what has been a strong season in his first year as a Flame. 

Sauder first made headlines for Liberty when he tied the high jump program record and finished first at the Virginia Tech Invitational Jan. 15 with a clearance of 7-1.5. This record would not remain for long as Sauder proceeded to record a 7-2.5 clearance Feb. 12 before again surpassing his jump with a 7-4.25 jump Feb. 25 for the ASUN title.

While Sauder failed to see the same results at nationals, only clearing 7-0.5, the freshman still left the field with his head held high as a second team All-American. He is the first in program history to be named All-American for the high jump. 

The national championship marked the end of the indoor track and field season for the Flames, and the team now turns its attention to outdoor competition. 

Shields is the asst. sports editor. Follow him on Twitter