Kemp breaks school discus record

Janet (Highnote) Eberhart's ('91) 121-foot discus record has held for 29 years, but this spring her record fell to senior Kacey Kemp, a boarding student from Nassau, Bahamas. 

Kemp and Eberhart’s records may have been separated by nearly three decades, but they did have one thing in common in that they were both coached by Athletic Director Eddie Guth.   

“Kacey started throwing shot put as a freshman and I knew that she wanted to throw shot put and not discus,” said Guth. “I also knew right away she had the potential to be the new record holder because of the natural talent I saw in her.” 

When Kemp started throwing discus her sophomore year, she never expected to go very far because she had never thrown before. Coach Guth helped spark Kemp’s interest in the sport and during her sophomore year she began working with Coach Chase Tolbert (‘12) on her power position. 

“I fell in love with discus,” she said. “At practice I was normally the first one there and the last one to leave. Coach Tolbert was instrumental in developing my love and technique for throwing. He was always so excited to throw and his love for the sport rubbed off on me.” 

Kemp ended up placing third at state for discus in 2016 and eighth at state for shot put in 2017. Guth resumed coaching duties with Kemp during her senior season and she set her sights on breaking the school record for the sport. 

“I am very appreciative of Coach Guth’s eye for detail and how it has helped me further perfect my throws,” she said. “I started shooting for the record this year and was starting to get worried as the season was ending.”

Kemp even competed in a non-Darlington track meet in Chattanooga one weekend just for the extra attempt, but it was at the area track meet, the final meet of the season, when she found success. 

“This year Kacey was throwing 116 and 117 feet consistently but had a hard time getting over that hump,” said Guth. “She had a monster throw during our area track meet that soared to 125 feet, beating Janet’s record by four feet. We are all very proud of her for accomplishing her goal.”

On May 1, Kemp had an opportunity to meet previous record holder Eberhart for a special lunch. Also in attendance were her mother (Bridget), Coach Guth, Coach Tolbert, and head track coach Kevin Hunt.  

“It was an honor to meet Janet and I absolutely loved having lunch with her,” Kemp said. “She just seemed so genuinely happy that I broke her record and I feel that really speaks to her character. To have a record for 29 years is incredible and truly shows her level of skill.”

The Darlington varsity track team will be heading to the state track meet May 9-11 where Kemp will once again be competing for a state title. 

Kemp was also member of the cross country and swimming teams. Last year, she was named Most Valuable Player for girls' track and also received the Jeff Gaither Award for Track and Field. Earlier this year she received the Academic Award for swimming and was nominated for the Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation Authority's John Pinson Jr. Outstanding Student Athlete scholarship. Kemp is the daughter of Bridget Kemp of Nassau, Bahamas, and the late Stephen Kemp.