Kimberly Carroll loves a good race. “I think in sports it’s all kind of connected,” she said. “Thinking about your breathing, being in the moment and a lot of persistence.”
As part of the Logan-Rogersville cross country program that won three consecutive state titles from 1998-2000, a feat only accomplished by six other girls programs, she got a taste of that very early in life.
“It was a really connected team,” she said. “I think we’re still really connected.”
Back then she went by Kimberly Miller. Now more than two decades later she’s still one of the fastest women in the country. But in a totally different sport. “This boat is about 24 feet long,” said Carroll. “It’s about as wide as my hips.”
The difficulty of steering such a rig makes Kim’s accomplishment even more impressive.
22 Countries will be represented at the IVF Va’A World Sprints in the United Kingdom next month. It’s the world championship event in paddling. Only three Americans earned a berth, and Kim is one of them.
“People who know me know that I like to do crazy stuff,” she said.
Her journey to get here started six years ago after the birth of her second child. “I was doing bucket list,” she said.
Her husband Thomas and her two children Iris and Milah, age ten and eight, also paddle. They’re like Kimberly’s own pit crew.
“My husband definitely watches the kiddos if I’m in a competition,” said Carroll. “They’re there for almost all of my events. All of my races.”
Kim and the family are in the process of moving from Bemidji Minnesota. They’re visiting her mom Brenda in Rogersville this summer after Kim’s dad recently died.
This upcoming race is helping everyone keep their minds on something else.
“This is the place where I found solitude,” said Carroll. “This is a place that I find serenity.”
Follow Kim’s journey at this link.
Kim will also have a fundraising night at Bub’s Distillery in Rogersville on July 30 from 5 to 8 PM. The cover charge is $10.
