Kerrigan Chaney '25: Track Star

by Lauren Boone '25

Since being in lower school, Kerrigan Chaney has been an outstanding runner and she continues to progress in her running career.

The North Cross community knows that Chaney is a distance runner, but few people know that she is an artistic person who likes to read comics, watch anime, listen to music, collect stuffed animals and wear platform shoes. 

“I run because it gives me a chance to get away from any chaos going on in my life." Chaney said, "It gives me time to myself to just think and enjoy the world around me. Seeing how much I have improved over a period of time makes me feel so accomplished, and gives me motivation to keep going.”

Being one of the top runners in the state of Virginia, Chaney is only 14 and has won many cross country awards, such as the first of state for middle school girls in 2020, her medal is pictured above.

At North Cross, she is known for her astonishing athletic ability. Chaney attends the annual “Take the Hill'' 5k race every year and has won almost every one. 

Although she is very quiet and reserved, Chaney is described as “fun and chaotic” by her friend Paul Lenkowski.

"Art is my favorite subject,” Chaney says. “Also, I like listening to every genre of music… except country.”

Chaney is a dedicated runner; meanwhile, she enjoys wearing platform shoes. Her tallest platforms are 5 and a half inches tall. 

Chaney lives in Roanoke with her mother, father and brother. She has another sibling with a few step siblings who live in different parts of Roanoke. Her cousin, Dakota Whitlock, wrote for the Willis Hall Herald. Along with her family, Chaney owns an orange cat named Rusty. 

When she is not running, Chaney spends her free time like any other teen; playing video games, reading or listening to music.

One of her favorite video games is Roblox, which is a multiplayer gaming platform. She plays with friends on Roblox. Chaney also likes to travel. 

Chaney’s favorite movie is Spirited Away, her favorite food is chocolate croissants, her favorite color is pink and her favorite band is Deftones.

 Chaney is talented in many ways, especially in cross country.