Alumni Spotlight: Kristen Kennedy - A Homegrown Mustang Who Changed the Game

When Kristen Kennedy first stepped onto the WNMU Women's Golf team in 2000, she wasn't just another freshman golfer—she was a hometown kid from Silver City, New Mexico with the kind of quiet determination that would soon reshape the trajectory of the entire program. By the time she graduated in 2004, Kennedy had carved her name into Mustang history as one of the most accomplished golfers ever to wear the purple and gold.

Kristen's rise was immediate and undeniable. A 2004 graduate, she became one of three DII All-Americans on the roster that year, joining teammates Casey Cooper and Janette Carillo to form one of the most decorated trios in WNMU women's golf history. Her sixth-place finish at the 2004 NCAA Championship punctuated a powerful senior season and capped a four-year career defined by competitive excellence, consistency, and leadership.

Across her collegiate years, Kennedy compiled a resume that still resonates across Mustang Athletics. She notched two tournament victories, recorded 22 top-10 finishes, and posted one of the best career scoring averages in program history at 80.25. Her 2003-04 scoring average of 77.7 remains one of the lowest ever recorded by a Mustang. With a career low round of 72 and an outstanding 1,698–535 win-loss record (.760), she set a competitive standard that continues to influence the program today.

Kristen's achievements weren't limited to the course. She was an Academic All-American all four years - a reflection of the discipline and integrity she brought to everything she did at WNMU. Former Head Coach Kent Beatty remembers her as the perfect example of what a Mustang student-athlete should be.

"Kristen was a joy to coach," Beatty recalls. "She was technically very good, a hard worker, and a wonderful role model both as a player and a GA. She was a big part of the ladies' success in the 2000s."

Kennedy's postseason resume was equally impressive. As a freshman, she helped the Mustangs place third at the NCAA Championships, finishing 15th individually. Year after year she delivered on the biggest stages - tying for sixth at the NCAA West Regional in 2002, contributing to a fourth-place team finish at Nationals that same year, placing eighth at Regionals in 2003, and in her final season tying for second at Regionals before finishing sixth at the NCAA Championships as an individual qualifier.

Her commitment to the program didn't end on graduation day. Kristen returned as a Graduate Assistant Coach for the Women's Golf Team, completing her master's degree while helping guide and mentor future Mustang golfers. "Coach Kennedy" quickly became known not just for her knowledge of the game, but for the leadership and steadiness she brought to the team.

After leaving collegiate athletics, Kristen returned to her Silver City roots - this time focusing on family and community. Today, she is a proud mom of two and works in her family's long-standing home furniture business located in downtown Silver City. Just as she once elevated WNMU Women's Golf, she now pours that same commitment and work ethic into her family, her community, and the business that has served Silver City for generations.

Kristen Kennedy's story is one of talent, heart, and homegrown pride. She proved that a local athlete could rise to national prominence and helped raise the bar for what Mustang golfers could achieve - academically, competitively, and personally. Two decades later, her impact continues to echo through the fairways and team culture of WNMU Women's Golf. She wasn't just a standout player but a born leader and a lasting source of inspiration for every Mustang who followed.

Be sure to check back next week for our next WNMU Athletics alumni feature.
 

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Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (X, TikTok & Instagram).