Published: April 26, 2008 12:16 am            

ON THE SPOT: Floyd’s Kelsey Bristol turns hard work into appointment to Air Force Academy

Kelsey Bristol can’t help it — she just loves to fly.

The Floyd Central senior isn’t picky about how she does it. Whether it be in an airplane or the pole vault, Bristol was born with flight in her blood.

Now, her drive to rise above has led her to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, where she will attend college beginning next fall.

In the meantime, the black belt in tae kwon do hopes to break a school record in the pole vault, get her pilot’s license and help the Highlander track team advance in the postseason.

As part of its continuing “On the Spot” series, The Evening News and Tribune caught Bristol on the ground to discuss her recent visit to Air Force, her goal-driven nature and what it’s like to kick some butt.



QUESTION: So how does one go about getting into the Air Force Academy? You know, in case I decide on a career change.

KELSEY BRISTOL: “You have to have a mix of academics, athletics and activities and you have to be medically qualified. After that, you have to get a Congressional recommendation.”

Q: I can’t even get a Congressman to fix a pothole on the street. How’d you pull it off?

BRISTOL: “It’s basically like applying to any other college. You go online and get them a package of three personal recommendations from the principal and maybe some teachers, along with a résumé and a list of your activities. Then they send a letter saying if they accept or reject your application. I had two interviews. Baron Hill sent a representative to do an interview at the school, then I went to Indianapolis for an interview with Evan Bayh’s representatives.”

Q: How nerve-racking was it?

BRISTOL: “It wasn’t too bad. I had my interview suit on, so I felt pretty confident.”

Q: Why Air Force?

BRISTOL: “My father was in the Air Force and flew an F-16. I was born on an Air Force base. I wasn’t like a military brat or anything because we’ve lived here for a long time. But now my dad is a UPS pilot and I hope to have my pilot’s license by the time I graduate. I just like to be organized and I like to work hard. I have to credit sports for that, in that it’s taught me a lot about dedication and hard work. It just fits my personality.”

Q: So what’s up with the martial arts? You could pretty much kill me with your bare hands, right?

BRISTOL: “Probably, because it’s pretty hardcore. No, really it’s just something that I did because it taught me discipline. I was on a competitive sparring team up until my sophomore year. It also taught me a lot of patience because there are a lot of kids taking lessons and you have to teach them everything as you go, like the proper way to punch and things like that.”

Q: So you don’t just wipe the floor with people for the heck of it? I would…

BRISTOL: “No. That’s something that I think the Air Force would frown upon.”

Q: You visited the academy last weekend? How was it?

BRISTOL: “I’m very excited. I can’t wait to move there because you have mountains in your backyard. When you live in Indiana, you see mountains in pictures and you don’t think much of it. But when you get there, you’re like, ‘Wow, mountains really exist.’”

Q: Did you get to see where you’ll be living and all that? Was there anything you didn’t like?

BRISTOL: “I loved it. I spent the night in the dorms, which are huge. They are much bigger than any state school I might have gone to. I just like the idea of everyone being in uniforms. I like everyone looking sharp. And I liked the discipline and respect. When you see a superior officer, you have to salute. I like how when you go into a building you take your hat off, and when you come outside, it goes back on.”

Q: Tell me a little more about the track season. What are you trying to accomplish before you graduate?

BRISTOL: “We’re just trying to improve. We have the same goals everyone does — win the sectional and the regional and get as many people to state as possible. For me personally, I’m trying to break the school record in the pole vault.”

Q: Are you close?

BRISTOL: “I’m about a foot away. I’m going to keep trying. That’s really what I love about sports, and I really want to credit sports for some of the things I’ve done. You have a very clear goal and you can see your hard work pay off and you get closer and closer.”

Q: I have no doubt you can do it. Do you?

BRISTOL: “You know I’m very self-motivated and I just love to get things done. We’ll see.”



KELSEY BRISTOL

SCHOOL: Floyd Central

GRADE: Senior

SPORTS: Track, cross country

PARENTS: Lisa and Peter Bristol

LAST BOOK READ: “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad

        

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