Poly Prep has a world class leader

November 28, 2022 Andy Furman

Poly Prep Country Day School. Photo: Rob Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

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During the 1992 Olympic Trials in New Orleans, she turned in one of the gutsiest performances of the meet in her signature event – the 800 meters.

Not only did she break her own American record, that performance catapulted her from fourth to third place, and earned her a coveted spot on the Olympic team bound for Barcelona, Spain, where she finished 11th.

She was the No. 1-ranked U.S. heptathlete in 1995 and finished second at the 1995 IAAF World Indoor Championships and third in 1997.

She was named USA Heptathlete of the Year twice.

That was then.

Now, Kym Carter is the Athletic Director at Poly Prep Country Day School.

“I never heard of Poly Prep before my appointment,” she told the Eagle, “Yet I had a brief understanding.”

Carter was named Athletic Director in July, and says she’s, “Still feeling out my plan.”

Her plan, basically, is a simple one.

“I expect professional and enthusiastic coaches and teachers,” she said, “I know they all love what they do, and love working with young people.”

Richard Corso, Head of Athletics at Poly Prep said, “Among those expressing a high interest, Kym Carter was the most impressive, offering a wealth of experience and the requisite leadership capabilities to oversee an Ivy League scholastic athletic program.”

And there’s another reason why Kym Carter made the move to Brooklyn.

“One of my best friends from elementary school lives near Prospect Park,” she said, “And I love going to Broadway shows and the Met.”

She also loves guiding young people.

“I found myself talking to young people,” Carter said. “College students are young – but they don’t think they are.

“I have a better impact here at Poly Prep where minds and decisions are formed.”

About eighty percent of the students at Poly Prep are involved in an organized sport, she said. I want all students to have a positive athletic experience — whether on the field or in the stands.”

Kym Carter can relate from her own experience.

She set the National Federation of High Schools record in the high jump as a senior at Wichita East High School in Kansas, clearing 6-feet 2 ¼ inches. She qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic trials as a sophomore, and never lost a high school high jump competition.

As an athlete she started her basketball career as a high school sophomore, and was First-Team All-State as a senior – and was voted the number one athlete in the state – boys and girls.

She switched to heptathlon – a seven-event athletic contest for female athletes that consists of the 100-meter hurdles, the high jump, the shot put, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, the javelin throw and the 800-meter run – in her final year at Louisiana State University and gained international recognition.

The Inglewood, Calif. native was a professional athlete until she decided to have children when she was 35.

“I was never wild about the travel,” she admitted, “Actually, I lost interest very quickly because of it.”

Track was almost an accident according to Carter.

“In middle school I had no interest in sports, in fact I tried out for the cheerleading squad,” she said.

He middle school track coach, she remembers — Mr. Jackson — encouraged her to try out. After that history was formed.

Before arriving in Brooklyn – and Poly Prep – she coached at Notre Dame Academy and Marlborough School and assistant coach at George Mason University and Notre Dame High School.

As for the students at the Prep, she says they are, “curious and down to earth.”

She’s also impressed – early on – with the parent involvement.

“We had close to 3,000 people in attendance at our Homecoming last month,” she said.

Her cheerleading background will come in handy with her new role at Poly Prep. Kym Carter will be on the sidelines watching her Blue Devil teams performing in the Ivy Prep League.

If her athletes can perform at the same level as she did – Poly Prep will have hired a real winner.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR