Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid: Kendan Iverson

Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kendan Iverson, 14

School:

Accomplishment: Iverson recently competed in Topeka, KS, at the 2011 Central Zone Championship, a USA Swim Meet featuring top swimmers from 11 states.

Key to Awesomeness: Iverson, an avid swimmer since he was 8 years-old, is a member of the OMNI Otters Swim Club and has been on Tartan’s Varsity team since he was in seventh grade. 

Iverson ranked in the top 20 at the state tournament, which qualified him for the championship in Kansas. Iverson said he became ill during the August trip, but that didn’t slow him down. He competed and “had several personal bests,” ranking 16^th for the backstroke.   

According to Iverson, his greatest motivation is his teammates.

“We push each other a lot, which always makes for a good competition,” he said.

Iverson also enjoys playing the trumpet and was a member of the jazz band in middle school. Iverson says he plans to try out for golf and continue working on his swimming, with the hopes of making nationals with his swim club. 

Each week, Oakdale Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual  kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Oakdale Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to patty.busse@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information: nominator's name, nominator's e-mail, Whiz Kid's name, Whiz Kid's age, Whiz Kid's school, Whiz Kid's accomplishment, Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail patty.busse@patch.com.