Regardless of where she is in the world, Bobbi Kennett won’t forget her Bonnyville roots.
The competitive swimmer has her eye on the Olympics, and even though she now lives in the United States, Kennett is determined to represent the maple leaf.
Born in Bonnyville, Kennett currently resides in Texas with her family after they packed their bags and made the move across the border in 2010.
It was during a stint living in Colorado that the young competitor found her love for the sport.
Seventeen-year-old Bobbi Kennet was born in Bonnyville, and now resides in the United States with her family.
“My sister had joined a league and I joined too for the fun of it,” she described. “When I moved to Texas, it ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me, because coaches started believing in me. I started working harder and doing more competitive swimming, and I just caught the love for the sport.”
Seventeen-year-old Bobbi Kennett was born in Bonnyville, and now resides in the United States with her family.
Kennett competes in the 50 and 100 freestyle competitions, describing them as “short and fast.”
Her shortest time for the 50-yard is 22.97 seconds, while she sits at 50.70 seconds for the 100-yard.
“I would love to see myself at the Olympics representing Canada. That’s my ultimate goal,” Kennett exclaimed.
Kevin Kennett said his daughter has always held onto her Canadian ties.
Last year, she hit the pool for the Canadian national trials in Montreal, and at the age of 15, tried out for her first Olympic trials cut for Team Canada.
“She’s been working her way up the ranks, but her goal has always been to swim for Canada,” he noted. “She’s desperate to represent her country and Bonnyville.”
Kennett said, “I love it there. My family is from there and I’m definitely a Canadian girl at heart. Even though I live in Texas, and have lived here for so long, Canada will always be a part of me.”
Kennett has committed to the Texas A&M University for the fall of 2020. She hopes the opportunity will bring her one step closer to her Olympic dream.
“I already feel like the 2024 Olympics is where Bobbi hopefully will get a spot,” expressed Kevin, adding the college she’s attending is the third top ranked school for swimming in the US.
While there, Kennett will work with trainers and a nutritionist in order to keep her in top physical condition.
For the past seven years, Kennett has dedicated every waking moment to the sport she loves.
She said it’s a lot more than just the physical aspect of the sport that can be challenging.
Competitive swimming requires Kennett to wake up at 5:30 a.m. every morning so she can practice before school.
Once she’s finished her classes, it’s back to the pool.
“It really has a lot to do with mental, but there’s a fun part of it because I get to see my friends and I get to work hard every day,” described Kennett.
“It’s kind of surreal in a way. The dedication of someone who gets up and tells you they want to go swimming, that they need to be here and there, she’s telling us when and where she needs to be,” Kevin stated. “I think a lot of people would be successful with the dedication and passion that she has for swimming. I think she has a natural talent, which has gotten her to a higher level, but the fact that she’s achieved this level is way beyond what we ever expected.”
