Kendall Baisden focused on being best in 400

Published by Paul Logothetis/USA Today on July 22, 2015

TORONTO — Kendall Baisden dreamed of becoming the next Serena Williams. Instead she just may turn into the next Sanya Richards-Ross.

Baisden breezed into the 400-meter final at the Pan American Games on Wednesday after leading qualifying with a time of 51.81 seconds. Fellow American Shakima Wimbley also advanced.

Baisden, the 2014 world junior champion in the 400, is one of the United States’ most promising track talents. But her track talent was discovered only after a coach spotted her chasing tennis balls.

“I went to tennis camp and my coach said ‘You know your girl is pretty fast,’ and my mom was a little upset as we were there trying to become the next Serena Williams,” Baisden said Wednesday. “But I think it turned into a good career change.”