Kerry was one of the reasons Cascade High School was a dominate force in Track & Field and Cross Country during the 80’s. Kerry was the first girl in Iowa Track & Field history to win three individual Cross Country Titles – accomplishing this in the fall of 1983-84-85, which helped her team win three 2A State Championships. In her first State competition she placed 4th. In the spring she competed in Track & Field and was very successful as well. At the State Meet she placed 4th in the 800 her Freshman year, 2nd in the 1500 her sophomore and Junior year and was the state champion her Senior year in the 1500 and 3000, with her best times in these events 4:46 – [1500] and 10:29 – [3000] in an area of very few all weather surfaces. Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) was the choice of Kerry to complete her education and continue her Cross Country and Track & Field participation, and participate she did very well. In Cross Country she was a 4 time NCAA Division II National Championships Qualifier (first at her school to accomplish this). Kerry was a 2 time Division II All-American placing 19th her Sophomore year and 4th her Junior year, which was the highest finish ever by a female athlete at her school. Kerry’s accomplishments during Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field were as good as those in Cross Country. Her accomplishments include:
- Holder of 11 Northeast Missouri State University School Records (7 individual and 4 relay).
- Winner of 12 Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association Titles (10 individual and 2 relay).
- Five time NCAA Division II National Championships Qualifier (3 indoor and 2 outdoor).
- Four time Division II All-American (2 at 3000 indoors and 2 at 10,000 outdoors).
- One time Division I National Championship Qualifier her Senior year placing 10th in the 10,000 in a time of 34:28.6.
Over-all Kerry was a 6 time Division II All-American (2 times in Cross Country, 2 times in Indoor Track & Field, and 2 times in Outdoor Track & field. Running Kept Kerry very busy in school, however her academics were very important to her, important enough for her to be selected to the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association All-Academic Team 4 times. Kerry is now married to Paul Knepper and currently lives in Martelle, Iowa. She is employed at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion as its Assistant Director.