UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State junior Kiara Lester and freshman Alexis Holmes have pushed each other through an unforgettable season their first year together in Happy Valley this year. They have been training at the top level for months, and their hard work paid off at the Ben Ten championship in Michigan.
On the individual side, Holmes came away from the weekend with a first place Penn State school record win in the 400-meters, while Lester was a highlight with two top-four finishes in the 200-meters (23.71) and 400-meters (53.78), respectively.
"I think that I was building up to getting a really good personal best. I went into the race thinking that I should execute it the way my coaches have taught me to. I ended up winning with 400m with a time of 52.17, which was amazing," Holmes said.
Lester came into the meet with an open mind and was ready to do what her coaches expected. She has been pushing herself to break through her own limits set at trainings and prior meets. She stepped onto the track in Michigan with determination to do well and compete.
"Running at Big Ten last week didn't really hit me yet. I kind of shocked myself but I knew I had the ability to do it. I just kept telling myself that it is junior year and third time is a charm. I just kept saying to myself that it is not how you start rather than how you finish," Lester said.
Lester has been particularly supportive of Holmes and is an important part of her track career and life at Penn State.
"Kiara is like a big sister to me. She is definitely a big part of my success from last weekend because we train together every day and we push each other every day." Holmes said.
This dynamic duo benefitted each other all season long. Even though Holmes was a freshman, she immediately impressed Lester.
"I think that coming into the season knowing that I would be training with a national champion from high school was a blessing in itself. Having someone that can push me every day and someone that I can take under my wing is very nice because I know I always have someone by my side," Lester said.
Holmes and Lester were both excited to train together, and the track team's family atmosphere was a large part of that.
"Family is definitely a big aspect of this team. Everyone here is very family-oriented and I think that is the reason why we are so successful as a team," Holmes said.
Lester has always encouraged the special bonding of her teammates because it makes life as a college athlete so much better.
"We try to be family-orientated so we often get along with each other which also makes practice so much more enjoyable. None of the athletes come into the facility hating on each other because one may have been better that past weekend. We are all so supportive of each other."
Holmes hopes to take this team dynamic, specifically the sprinter bond, and pass that on to the potential new recruits for next year. She hopes to take someone under her wing and teach them the way Lester did for her.
"I am definitely excited to see if we can get a recruit in the same event group so I can be that big sister to her," Holmes said.
Lester is also excited that she will be heading into her final season at Penn State. Being the only senior in her specific events, Lester wants to uphold the standards that her coaches expect of a leader.
"As the only senior in my sprint it is kind of on me to hold each younger girl accountable. I think that they also know the standards that we have for next year and that we want to be a championship team," Lester said.
The bond Lester and Holmes have created makes these final few weeks of the indoor season fun.
"It was so much fun at Big Ten because we were both able to have such exciting moments in our careers together. Being sisters off the track and competitors on the track is something that I value most about Alexis," Lester said.
