KENYAN HILL
Sallisaw Black Diamonds Track
By Buck Ringgold
Kenyan Hill knows the importance of owning accountability.
It’s a trait he learned over the years from family, friends, teammates and coaches. It’s something Hill, a junior track athlete at Sallisaw High School, holds in the highest esteem.
“Being accountable in track and in life means taking responsibility for your actions, putting in the work, and owning both your successes and mistakes,” Hill said.
In turn, Hill has passed down that accountability to his teammates. He is very pleased to see them follow suit.
“And having my teammates being accountable means encouraging them to stay committed, do their part, and take responsibility for their actions so the whole team can succeed,” Hill said.
Hill is now competing in his third season with the Black Diamonds’ track squad, having done so since his freshman year.
He competes in the 100-meter dash on the individual level. He’s also a part of two relay squads, the 400 and 800-meter teams.
Of those events, Hill admits a fondness for the 400-meter relay. He likes the quick pace that it offers. Plus, it affords him the opportunity to share in the acclaim with his teammates whenever they are able to place high in a particular event.
“I love doing the four-by-one because i get to race with my teammates,” Hill said.
And as far as Hill is concerned, that’s what it’s all about. The camaraderie, the fellowship and the friendship. Helping cheer on his fellow teammates each time the baton is handed off, and at the same time, admitting mistakes if they are made with the belief that things will get better the next go-round.
Not surprisingly, one of Hill’s key traits is just that, in his words, “Being accountable.”
But when it comes to the events Hill does in particular, there are two things he relies on the most.
“(Those would be) my block start and my quickness,” he said.
His personal best time came in the 100-meter dash, when he finished in 11.3 seconds.
Hill has spent the offseason getting quicker but also getting stronger, putting an emphasis on lifting more weights.
In his first meet of the 2026 season, March 27 at the Clark Bass Invitational in McAlester, Hill nearly broke his personal record, finishing the race in a time of 11.96. He nearly took first place, but was barely edged out by Eufaula’s Brock Martin, who ran an 11.93.
“My coaches push me to work harder every day, and they trust me, which gives me the confidence i have,” Hill said.
Likewise, Hill’s coaches reciprocate his sentiments, enjoying their ability to guide Hill.
“Kenyan is a true leader,” Sallisaw track coach Richie Pratt said. “He is quiet but when he talks, it’s important.
“He is a very high character young man and works extremely hard.”
But just as much as he admires Hill’s hard work, Pratt believes Hill really comes through at the most important moments.
“He has ran his best at the biggest races of the year,” Pratt said. “He has ran on a couple of relays at state and ran his best times of the year each time. It was a big moment for a freshman and he was at his best.”
Hill’s goal the rest of his junior season is to continue to become faster and build off his showing at the Clark Bass Invitational.
“I want to beat my 100-meter best, which is 11.3,” he said.
Hill also plays on the Sallisaw football team, and works just as hard in the classroom, carrying a 3.4 grade-point average. Hill also knows what he wants to beyond high school.
“I plan to go to college and major in business, fitness or finance,” he said.
