Kerryn L. O’Neill

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Kerry attended Wyoming Valley West High School, where she was a premiere long distance swimmer in her freshman and sophomore years. In cross country, she placed second in districts. In track, Kerry excelled as a distance runner and the relay, placing first in districts in the mile and third in states in the mile. In her senior year in all dual and tri meets, she came in first. Kerry attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction with a BS in Ocean Engineering. She again excelled in both indoor and outdoor track, setting a 5K record in cross country, earning an outstanding 12 letters. In 1990, she was Division II All-American (Navy went to Division I the following year). In 1991 Kerry became Navy’s first Division I National qualifier in cross country. She holds Navy’s fastest 5K time on the home cross country course. As team captain in her senor year, Kerry set a course record and was the first female in any sport at the Academy to make the NCAA Division I National Championships. She was named U.S. Naval Academy NCAA Woman of the Year in 1993 and won the Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence Sword as Outstanding Female Midshipman of the graduating class to personally excel during her years of varsity competition. Kerry passed away shortly after graduation and is survived by her parents, Ed and Bonnie O’Neill of Wilkes-Barre, brother Ed O’Neill and sister Kristen Barrowclough.