Kam Coleman ’23 Readies for Cornell with Wealth of Experience in Tow
March 16, 2023
Kameron Coleman ’23 did not just snap his fingers and commit overnight to Cornell University for track & field.
The CBA senior slowly but surely pieced together valuable experiences that set him up for a chance to attend an Ivy League institution.
“I think that CBA helped me find [Cornell] because we are a very tight community and definitely knew I wanted something similar to that,” Coleman said. “Cornell definitely fit that for me and I was real excited when I went up there and said ‘yeah, this is where I want to go.'”
It was a combination of academic and athletic efforts that helped make Cornell a reality.
Coleman has taken a well-rounded slate of classes during his junior and senior years, including honors French, multiple AP English courses and Artificial Intelligence. He pinpoints his junior year AP English Language class that pushed him to become an even better student.
“In Ms. Biloholowski’s AP English Language, I definitely had to work the hardest I have ever had to in a class,” he said. “I appreciated that class and her as a teacher because the course held us all accountable. I think I personally learned a lot in that class, not just about the subject, but also as a student in general.”
His standout performances on the track also propelled him to landing at Cornell. Coleman has been a regular podium finisher in the hurdle and sprint events during his CBA Track & Field career.
The team has continued its tradition of success during his tenure on the team, winning the Shore Conference in both 2021 and 2022 and capturing the 2021 Outdoor Track & Field State Championship.
It is a culture of success that Coleman says makes each student-athlete want to work harder for each other.
“All of us work well together, and when it comes time for championship meets which we keep winning year after year, we all work together and support each other,” he said. “When shot put is going, you’ll always see [the sprinters] cheering for everyone, which I think it is important to the team doing well.”
While he readies for his final marking period in the classroom and last spring season on the track, Coleman understands how the entire CBA experience has helped him develop as a young man.
He has earned his honors student status, worked as an admissions ambassador, been inducted into the French Honor Society, and of course, won a number of accolades on the track.
“I think developing a routine that I go through every day definitely keeps me consistent. I also think that being a part of all these things [at CBA] helped me develop a better character in general.”
Recently, Coleman was one of the student panelists at the Class of 2027 Welcome Night, speaking directly to the incoming freshmen about his time at CBA. While he will not walk the hallways with the freshmen next September, he left the newest Colts with some sound advice.
“Don’t procrastinate. Also, your teachers are pretty understanding and you should take initiative. If you are having trouble with a class, definitely go to that teacher and ask for extra help.”