'Something special': Kylie Feeney breaks Abby Steiner's 400 record at Dublin Coffman
Frank DiRennaDublin Coffman senior Kylie Feeney didn’t win the 400 meters in the Larkin-Crosten Invitational on Friday at Upper Arlington, but she accomplished something just as special.
Feeney’s time of 57.15 seconds broke the program record of 57.21 that was set by Abby Steiner in 2015. Feeney finished second behind UA’s Elizabeth Poling (57.07).
Steiner, a 2018 graduate of Coffman, won nine outdoor state championships and seven indoor state titles before winning two NCAA outdoor titles and two NCAA indoor championships at Kentucky. She later turned pro and is currently in pursuit of a spot on the United States track and field team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Kylie Feeney proud her name is next to Steiner
Feeney, a Tennessee commit whose main event is the 800, said the program record in the 400 “was definitely in my mind a little bit.” She takes pride in having her name next to Steiner, who still holds Coffman program records in the 100 (11.38) and 200 (22.73) and as a member of the 1,600 relay (3:51.66).
“I knew the record and it was definitely a goal,” Feeney said. “I would have been OK if it didn’t happen, but it was a fun experience. ... It’s exciting because Abby is a very inspirational athlete ... (and) a very inspiring person.”
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Feeney’s record-setting run impressed Coffman girls track coach Greg King.
“It was not the main event for either (Feeney or Steiner), but any time you break a record held by Abby it’s something special,” King said. “Kylie’s 2:12.46 in the 800 (which she has run only twice this season) is probably just as impressive a mark.”
Feeney is looking to eclipse Rachel Weber’s program mark of 2:11.9 in the 800, set in 2013. A 2013 graduate of Coffman, Weber is an assistant coach with the program.
Feeney finished fifth in the 800 (2:12.46) in the Division I state meet last season.