NATCHEZ &045; Little sisters worldwide, take solace.

One of your own has claimed a small victory in the incessant war against needling big brothers.

Cathedral sophomore Claire Kenda somehow managed to convince older sibling and senior John Paul Kenda to join her on the Green Wave’s track teams.

The urging proved beneficial to both, as each ready themselves for their respective distance events at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A state meet in Pearl today.

Claire Kenda, also a member of Cathedral’s cross country squad, finished second at South State in the 3,200 with a time of 14:44. John Paul Kenda, in just his second meet to run the mile, ran a 5:53 1,600, good enough for third place.

&uot;Claire really turned me on to track. I had a little free time,&uot; John Paul said. &uot;We both play sports year-round, but this was the one season where I was free. Claire said, ‘You should come out for track.’&uot;

While he allowed his younger sibling to steer him in the track direction, John Paul, also a member of the football and soccer teams, turned to head coach Randy Brumfield, who specialized in the mile while at Delta State.

&uot;Advice from your little sister, are you kidding?&uot; Claire sarcastically said.

Still, even with Brumfield’s instructions and helpful hints, &uot;J.P.&uot; was a bit overmatched at South State. The top two finishers set a unmatchable tempo from the gun, flying around the first lap in a little more than a minute and leaving the rest of the field in the dust.

Kenda attempted to stay with the lead pair before ensuring his third-place finish, which qualified him for the state meet.

The top four in each event advanced. Cathedral’s Patrick Vogt and Taylor Brantley qualified for state in the pole vault and 800 meters, respectively.

&uot;I really didn’t know. I kept up for the first lap, but after that it drained me,&uot; John Paul said. &uot;I didn’t have anything left. At State, I’ll try do start slower.&uot;

Both Kendas said their main workout day is usually Monday, as Brumfield makes them make 16 laps, in intervals of four, around the fence that surrounds Cathedral School.

Afterward, the team winds down with your run-of-the mill sprints that turn their lower extremities into rubber.

The rest of the week, the team shares the Natchez High track with the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs &045; &uot;They’re it. That’s the deal right there,’&uot; Claire Kenda said &045; where they run five 400s, four 200s and two 800s.

&uot;It’s much more individual,&uot; John Paul said of track. &uot;In football and soccer, you can draw from your teammates. But track is all inside your mind. I think of the most random things. I mainly focus on the guys in front of me, my breathing and my strides.&uot;

John Paul was also a member of the cross country team his freshman and sophomore years before quitting because most of the fall meets took place on Saturdays after Friday night football games.

He said the wear and tear from having linebackers and linemen hurl their bodies at his knees was enough pain to agonize over the following morning.

Claire prefers running to other physical sports, such as basketball, which she played with the Lady Green Wave this past season. Even though she finds herself in a race, she said she’s at ease on a track.

&uot;I set a steady pace around the first three laps,&uot; Claire said. &uot;Whoever is leading I try and stay with them if I can and then try to break away. If I have a kick at the end, that’s when I’ll use it.&uot;

Both said there is ample time to encourage the other one since Claire’s 3,200 typically happens at the beginning and John Paul’s mile is one of the final events conducted.

&uot;I’d say our parents push us more than we push each other,&uot; John Paul said. &uot;But I do try to push her to keep up with me at practice.&uot;

And big brothers everywhere rejoice.