From the MaxPreps Student SectionKerri Gallagher has been the face of the Fordham women's track and field team for the past two seasons. The 2007 graduate of
Bishop Kearney (Brooklyn, N.Y.) earned All-League honors and set a number of school records this season.
Her success continued at the A-10 championship meet in Charlotte, North Carolina. Gallagher was a part of the Rams 4 x 400 relay team which ran a 3:47.81, breaking a school record. This was Gallagher's fourth school. She also has records in the indoor 800m, the outdoor 4 x 800 relay and sprint medley relay. Along with the records Kerri was named the female athlete of the year at the school's annual awards dinner.
Gallagher was excited about breaking the record in the 4 x 400. "It is an incredible feeling to be on a record-breaking relay team," Gallagher said. "The effort and the heart of the girls that I run with is unmatchable. It has been an honor to run with them. It's also a great feeling to know that for a little while my name will be part of the Fordham track history that has been built and is continuing to grow. It is a great school and a great program. I'm lucky to have been a part of it." Along with the records Kerri was named the female athlete of the year at the school's annual awards dinner.
Kerri isn't the only runner in the family. Her sister Mary, a sophomore at St. Francis College, also competes on the track. Mary got off to a slow start, but has had a great spring season. This past weekend she was a part of the 4 x 800 team that ran a 9:24.59. This time was good enough to place second in NEC Championship at Monmouth College and also for a school record.
Mary Gallagher looks up to her older sister. "Kerri is your ideal runner," Mary Gallagher said. "She knows what has to be done to be a great runner, and she does it. Kerri has never been one to give up. No matter what happens she gives it her all. Kerri has absolutely helped me get where I am today. In fact, she is one of the main reasons I decided to give running a shot back in high school. All throughout my entire running career, I have been able to turn to her for advice not only on running but on anything else in life. When I am going through a tough time running, she is always the first person who tells me to keep my head up and gives me pointers on how I can become a better runner."
The 4 x 800 record was Mary Gallagher's second at St. Francis. She also set the 1500m record earlier in the season. Mary was excited about putting her name in the records book again. "The feeling of being part of a relay that has broken a school record is unbelievable," she said. "It's hard to explain, but it is an awesome feeling knowing that all the hard work we put in has finally paid off. I could not have picked a better group of girls to run that relay with and I am so glad I had the opportunity to be right there next to them breaking school records."
Kerri Gallagher has only good things to say about her sister. "Mary is an incredible athlete on and off the track," Kerri Gallagher said. "I have seen her lead her team in ways that often go unnoticed. She makes a real difference. She has a lot of heart and determination and that is beginning to show in her performances. She has grown a lot this year and I truly believe she will have a wonderful next two years. And best of all she'll have a great time doing it because she has an impressive group of girls to support her."
