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Wayne State University Athletics

2026-27 WT&F Newcomers

Women's Track & Field Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Women's Track & Field Signs Two Throwers

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University women's track and field program under the direction of head coach Grant Lofdahl has added two throwers for the 2026-27 academic year.  Oakland transfer Desteny DeJarnett (Hazel Park, Mich.) and freshman Whalen Kennedy (Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington) will join throws coach Celine Freeman-Gibb's squad this fall.

Whalen Kennedy, 5-9, Fr., Throws, Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington
High School:  A 2026 graduate of North Farmington High School ... was a four-year letterwinner for throws coach Zaim Cunmulaj ... was the 2025 Oakland Activities Association Blue/Gold division champion in the shot put (35-5) ... placed fifth in the discus (personal-best throw of 130-10) at the 2026 MHSAA Division 1 state meet ... competed in the state meet in both discus (ninth) and shot put 14th) as a junior ... posted a personal-best mark of 36-4 in the shot put at the 2026 meet at Seaholm ... also competed in volleyball, basketball and soccer ... earned All-OAA honors in volleyball ... served as a team captain in both volleyball and track.

Personal:  Full name -- Whalen L. Kennedy ... born on June 12, 2008, in Royal Oak, Mich. ... daughter of Patrick Kennedy and Stephanie Kennedy ... father was a defensive tackle at Western Michigan for three seasons (1992-94) ... has an older brother, Aidan, and an older sister, Sela ... plans to major in Public Health ... first name is pronounced way-lin.

Throws coach Celine Freeman-Gibb on Whalen Kennedy:  "Our throws crew is pumped to have Whalen joining our team this year.  After a very promising senior season at North Farmington, Whalen will continue to thrive here at WSU.  We are confident she will rival some of our current thrower's distances in both discus and shot put while looking to join our conference lineups.  We look forward to seeing what she can do as a freshman!"

Desteny DeJarnett, 6-0, Jr., Throws, Hazel Park, Mich. / Hazel Park (Oakland University)
TFRRS from Oakland University

2025-26:  INDOOR:  Participated in four regular-season meets plus the Horizon League Championships ... placed third in the weight throw at the HL Championships with a personal-best mark of 16.74m (54-11.25) ... finished seventh in the shot put with a throw of 12.84m (42-1.5) ... recorded a personal-best shot put indoor mark of 13.02m (42-8.75) at the 2026 Youngstown State Last Chance meet.  OUTDOOR: Competed in four regular-season meets plus the Horizon League Championships ... placed seventh in the hammer throw at the 2026 Horizon League Championships with a personal-best throw of 48.15m (158-0) ... finished eighth in the shot put with a season-best mark of 12.62m (41-5) and 18th in the discus (31.21m / 102-5) ... recorded a personal-best in the discus at the OU Elaine Leigh Invite with a throw of 37.99m (124-8). 

2024-25:  INDOOR:  Participated in four regular-season meets plus the Horizon League Championships ... finished 13th in the weight throw (season-best mark of 13.17m) and 16th in the shot put (11.24m) ... recorded a season-best shot put mark of 11.77m at the Mastodon Invitational.  OUTDOOR:  Competed in three regular-season meets plus the Horizon League Championships ... participated in three events at the Horizon League Championships ... placed eighth in the shot put with a season-best mark of 12.54m ... finished 17th in both the discus (season-best mark of 35.07m) and hammer (39.04m) at the HL Championships ... recorded a season-best hammer throw toss of 43.80m at the OU Elaine Leigh Invite.

High School:  A 2024 graduate of Hazel Park High School ... was a four-year track letterwinner ... took first place in the 100m dash at the 2024 Macomb Area Conference Bronze division championships in a personal-best time of 13.02, and finished second in the shot put with a throw of 36-7 ... won the shot put at the 2023 Bronze division championships with a season-best throw of 33-11 ... finished fourth at the 2023 MHSAA Division 2 regional meet in the 200m dash (27.55 in prelims) and third in the shot put (31-11.75) ... served as a track and field team captain ... also competed in volleyball, basketball and tennis for the Vikings ... participates during the summer for Maximum Output.

Personal:  Full name -- Desteny L. DeJarnett ... born on October 28, 2006, in Detroit ... daughter of James DeJarnett and Jameella Grant ... plans to major in Psychology or Criminal Justice.

Throws coach Celine Freeman-Gibb on Desteny DeJarnett:  "We are excited to have Desteny joining our throws group this year.  She had some success at Oakland, but we believe she will truly shine with the support and programming offered here at Wayne State.  We are looking for Desteny to be a top contributor in throws at both indoor and outdoor conference championships."
 
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Players Mentioned

Whalen Kennedy

Whalen Kennedy

Throws
5' 9"
Freshman
Desteny DeJarnett

Desteny DeJarnett

Throws
6' 0"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Whalen Kennedy

Whalen Kennedy

5' 9"
Freshman
Throws
Desteny DeJarnett

Desteny DeJarnett

6' 0"
Junior
Throws