15-year old Illinois swimmer Kendall Pickering and her father Robert D. Pickering, 59, were killed Tuesday when their car left a highway in North Carolina and struck a tree.
Kendall Pickering was a sophomore at Hinsdale Central High School, where in October she broke Pool Records in the 100 breaststroke and 200 IM at a high school Sectional meet, one of many regional events that replaced the Illinois High School State Championships.
In 2019, as a freshman, she finished 4th at the Illinois High School State Championship meet in the 100 back.
Police responded to reports of a collision at 6:49 PM on Tuesday evening. The car was travelling southbound on Interstate 85 about 25 miles northeast of Charlotte. The vehicle left the roadway to the right, struck a drainage ditch, and continued down an embankment before hitting a tree. Both Kendall and Robert Pickering died on the scene.
The two were reportedly on a trip to visit colleges.
Kendall Pickering trained with USA Swimming club team FMC Aquatics.
Both Hinsdale Central High School and the school’s athletics department posted about the death on Twitter. Even as just a sophomore, her name appeared in the school’s record books 16 times already.
Red Devils. With a heavy heart we mourn Sophomore Swimmer Kendall Pickering. She will be missed but never forgotten, her name & memory are listed 16 times on our pool record boards. Only a Soph, but she had a huge impression on our school and swim program. Rest in peace Kendall. https://t.co/9OBEc8cKYb
— HCHS Athletic Department (@RedDevilsAD) December 16, 2020
Even though we did not know her personally, her name and pool presence was felt in awe.
We pray her family finds the strength to celebrate her life.
My heart goes out to the Pickering family, her teammates, her friends, and everyone that knew her. Sending my love.
Condolences and thoughts to her family and community. Absolutely shattering. Cars are really terrifying when you think about it.
She was such a versatile talent, had such a future ahead of her. Awful to hear. RIP
My heart goes out to her family amd friends! RIP
prayers for her family, friends, and teammates through this extremely tough time! it is so sad to see such a beautiful person and talented athlete have to leave us in such a horrific way!
A tragedy for our swimming community. Thoughts go our to her mom and sister, family, friends and teammates
Damn… that is just crushing news. Love and prayers go out to her family, friends and all that knew her.