Fort Myers senior standout, Fiona Kurland, has committed to continue her distance running career at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. With a Cross Country 5k best of 18:52 and equally impressive track times of 5:08.42 for the 1600m, 2:21.24 for the 800m, and 11:23.27 for the 3200m, Kurland is well equipped to make waves in the Midshipmen's running programs.
She had narrowed her choices down to the Naval Academy, West Point, George Washington University, and the University of Delaware before making her final decision.
In order to attend a Service Academy, a candidate must receive a nomination from a Congress member, the Vice President, the President, or the Superintendent of the Academy. They also must pass the strenuous six-event physical fitness test and receive an appointment from the Academy's Admission Officers.
Having completed two of the three steps to be considered for acceptance at the Naval Academy, Kurland still needed a nomination to join the 8% of applicants who gain acceptance.
Then, on a recent Friday as she was sipping iced coffee at her go-to coffee hangout, the Dunkin Donuts parking lot, Kurland discovered she had received one of the fifty coveted Superintendent Nominations to attend the Naval Academy.
"I was freaking out. I called my parents and I was like, 'Oh my gosh this is amazing! I can't believe I'm actually going there!'"
In doing so, she follows a long line of family members who have dedicated their lives to service. "My brother attended the Coast Guard Academy. My mom was in the Army, her dad was in the Army and my uncle went to the Air Force Academy."
She admits, "I never really thought I would go to a Service Academy," but after attending her brother's graduation from the Coast Guard Academy in 2017 she grew interested and looked into the bigger academies, per his advice.
"After going through the nomination process and going up on recruiting trips, I realized I really did want to serve my country."
Ex Scientia Tridens, "Through Knowledge, Sea Power" is the motto of the Naval Academy. Kurland certainly models this creed, as her dedication to gaining knowledge of how to improve gave her the power to evolve from a JV runner to a state medalist, "I've been able to make small mistakes and learn from them."
When Kurland finished her sophomore cross country season she had run a season best 5k of 24:12.09 and did not compete in the state series, "I had a really off year and wasn't doing well. When I would get in races I would just give up."
She realizes the upside of starting her sophomore track season on JV, "I didn't even get entered into a varsity race in my first race. I went to a JV meet and was really annoyed. I thought, "I shouldn't be here. I've worked so hard." But honestly I wasn't working hard. I was just blaming other things."
"That (JV) meet Coach Strong put me in... I'm really glad he did, because it made me more humble and made me realize I need to work hard and work my way up."
She did exactly that and concluded her redeeming sophomore track season as a member of the Green Wave's 4x800m relay team that qualified for State. "I finally got back to where I was and surpassed that."
That experience laid the foundation for her triumphant junior year, "I remember watching Krissy (Gear) win two state titles, and I was like, 'I want to do that! If I am going to be out here investing my time, I really want to be good at this.' It translated over to not just running, but academics and everything in my life."
Kurland then began compounding her running workouts with intense strength training in the gym, "I feel like my posture and everything is so much stronger and I feel so much more powerful when I'm running... Especially since I will be going to an Academy it definitely helps with being able to do push-ups and pull-ups and getting a stronger upper body."
Her work paid off as she broke the 19 minute 5k barrier at the 2016 3A Cross Country State Championship with a time of 18:52.85, earning recognition as an All-Area cross country team member. She had shaved an astounding five minutes and 20 seconds off the time she ran the previous season.
She carried this success back over to the track where she earned two State Medals by taking 7th in the 1600m and running on Fort Myers' 4th place 4x800m relay.
When Gear, the former Fort Myers standout, was asked to sum up the positive aspects of Kurland's character, she admitted, "I don't know how to sum up how awesome she is in a quote short enough for (an) article. That girl deserves a whole paragraph!"
"I think Fiona the person is what makes her great as Fiona the teammate. She is so genuine, hardworking, and so much fun to be around... From what I have witnessed, she has overcome different obstacles in various aspects of life with poise and grace I would like to have myself someday. She is a great leader to her teammates and peers, and will do fantastic at the Academy and long after that. I am so excited for her!"
As Gear swapped her high school jersey for a Furman singlet, she passed off the role as leader of the Green Wave to Kurland who filled her shoes, despite going into the season having mono. As the sole senior on the cross country squad, Kurland made the journey to the State Championship to support her teammates when she herself was sidelined with a calf strain.
In typical Kurland fashion, she did not allow the adversity she experienced during cross country to deter her drive, "Going into this track season I have had some really good training and my meets having been going well, so I think I've bounced back."
Having opened her season by winning the 600m at the Ida Baker F.D. Indoor/Outdoor Challenge on February 17th, and following it up with wins at Lady Tarpon Invitational in the 4x800m and 1600m, Fiona has indeed rebounded.
Her advice to any younger athletes is universal and a testament as to why she has gained the favor of her teammates, coaches, and many top universities, "Always keep an open mind. Be nice to everyone."
Kurland's former coach, Rob Strong guided Kurland's first three years of high school running and echoes Gear's praise, "The Naval Academy is a perfect fit for Fiona. She loves structure and accountability. Fiona has learned over the years to hold herself to a very high standard. She is as hard on herself as any kid I have ever met. It was one of my greatest joys watching Fiona grow as an athlete and a person. I could honestly talk for days about how great of a kid she has become over her four years at Fort Myers. Fiona has the ability to influence every person she comes across and she will do that for her entire life. She just has that thing that people gravitate to."
In a touching final statement, Coach Strong delivered one last sentiment to his former athlete, saying "Ultimately, Fiona, I just want you to know how extremely proud of you I am."
In addition to her athletic efforts, Kurland is enrolled in IB classes, and is involved in the Fort Myers High School Community through National Honor Society, History Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Youth in Government. "I try to always keep everything on schedule. As for school work... if we have long term assignments I try to just knock it out. I try to balance everything with running."
She enjoys spending her free time at the beach, with her friends, and in her community, "I love to go to the animal shelter and volunteer with the dogs."
She is looking forward to finishing her senior year by improving her PR's in the 1600m and 800m, "I want to hopefully run a 2:15 800m and for my mile I want to break 5 minutes."
As for her collegiate future, Kurland is looking forward to many aspects of the Naval Academy experience, "I hope to continue improving and continue having my love for this sport." She wants to major in Political Science and hopes to follow in the footsteps of her Air Force pilot uncle and get a flight school spot or branch Intelligence.
Ultimately, for all of the success she has earned and the adoration she receives from those around her, she gives credit to her parents. "My mom and dad are great people. They always tell me, "Put yourself in someone else's shoes and don't be quick to judge. Remember, they might be going through something hard... they always taught me to be compassionate... I am really appreciative of them."