Greenwood swimmer trying to make most of senior year

<p>Every swimmer in America had to make adjustments this spring when pools were shut down through the spring. But boy, did that pandemic kill Alayna Kenworthy’s vibe.</p><p>The Greenwood standout had put up a lifetime-best time of 2:06.65 in the 200-yard individual medley at the sectional meet, good enough to qualify her for both the state finals and junior nationals for the first time.</p><p>Of course, the national meet was canceled, denying Kenworthy the opportunity to compete at that level. But rather than let that send her into a tailspin, she decided to double down and do everything she could to ensure that if the meet is held in 2021, she’ll be there.</p><p>&quot;I really do want to be able to take advantage of this season, even though there are those differences and the things we aren’t able to do,&quot; Kenworthy said, &quot;because I want to be able to go out there and do well at state this year and be able to go back to junior nationals and experience that before I go off to college.&quot;</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]<p>Though being out of the water for more than two months this spring was a setback in terms of her normal training regimen, Kenworthy believes the time off was actually a positive of her in some ways. By the end of her junior season with the Woodmen, she says, she was mentally exhausted and &quot;really burned out&quot; — so the break gave her a chance to recharge and come back even more focused than usual when her club team started swimming again in the summer.</p><p>Greenwood girls coach Brooke Thompson has always been impressed with Kenworthy’s work ethic and drive, but even more so over the past six months.</p><p>&quot;She has done a very good job on really pushing through and going higher and higher each year we go through sectionals; her time keeps going down and down and down,&quot; Thompson said. &quot;Usually when she sets that goal and she sets her mind to it, she will go, go, go until she gets it.&quot;</p><p>One of Kenworthy’s big goals for her senior year is to not only make it back to the state meet, but to score points there. That goal is certainly within her reach; though she finished 23rd in the 200 IM at last season’s prelims and didn’t advance, her sectional time would have been good enough to make the top 16 and move on.</p><p>For the time being, she’s just relishing the opportunity to compete — something that no athlete should be taking for granted this winter.</p><p>&quot;With COVID and everything, I was really just looking forward to be able to have a season and be able to come to these meets and stuff,&quot; Kenworthy said. &quot;Just being able to be here is a blessing and an opportunity that I really want to take advantage of, just coming out here and doing the best that I can.&quot;</p><p>Thompson has no doubt that Kenworthy’s best will be more than good enough to have her in the mix as Greenwood gears up for some of the bigger meets on its schedule, beginning with the Johnson County meet on Saturday.</p><p>&quot;When she got back in the water, she really did a good job of focusing and really being consistent in practice, coming to practices and making sure she’s putting her best foot forward,&quot; Thompson said. &quot;I think when we start going into county and into conference and all those things, we’re really going to start seeing her shine a little bit more.&quot;</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="If you go" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p><strong>Johnson County meet</strong></p><p>Where: Indian Creek HS (Chase M. Smith Natatorium)</p><p>When: Today, 5:30 p.m. (diving only); Saturday, 9 a.m. (girls) and 11 a.m. (boys)</p><p>Attendance: Limited to two tickets per athlete</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]