May 08, 2008
Most high school graduates want to go away to school. Senior Kirby Kastner, 18, is happy going "two doors down the street.''
The James I. O'Neill three-sport athlete will be attending the U.S. Military Academy, hoping to run track and following in the footsteps of her career military father, Col. Thomas Kastner, the vice dean of resources at West Point.
Why did you choose West Point? "I grew up in a military family, and I really love the structure and values of the military."
How challenging is it to be a good student and a varsity athlete? "They work hand-in-hand, basically. You dedicate yourself in practice and competition like you do in the classroom. It's tough to bear sometimes. There are certain weeks with hard practices and big meets and big tests, and it gets stressful, but being an athlete helps you with your mind-set to dig in and get it done."
You participated in orchestra. What do you play? "Actually I was in orchestra my freshman and sophomore years in Florida. I love music. I play the viola. I take private lessons and play at church sometimes. It's not very common. In an orchestra you have two sections of violins and a small section of violas. The viola is slightly larger and has a lower sound (than a violin)."
How did you get started in track? "I started track and field my freshman year. I was a year-round swimmer at that point. I figured swimming gives me endurance so why not try running? It turns out I loved it. In the summer, I went to the pole vault camp, and I thought that was so cool."
What are your track and field goals? "I would love to (set a personal record) in pole vault. I've been stuck around the 8-foot-6, 9-foot mark. I know I have potential that I would love to tap into a bit. I am getting better at the 400 hurdles so I would love to improve on that."
What are you going to do between graduation and your report date to West Point? "Hang out with my family and spend time with them and my friends, maybe relax a bit."
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