Lachlan Kennedy’s journey from a rugby-obsessed teen to one of Australia’s fastest sprinters reads like a Hollywood script. Bursting onto the track scene in his final year of high school, Kennedy has since shattered records, claiming the Australian 60m record (6.43 seconds), earning World Indoor Championships silver in 2025, and anchoring Australia’s 4x100m relay team to an Oceania record (38.12 seconds) at the Paris 2024 Olympics. But his path hasn’t been smooth. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2018, Kennedy had to balance meticulous health management with elite training.

But do you know who is behind this speedy rise of Kennedy? It’s his coach, Andrew Iselin, a steady force who is the one constructing Kennedy’s sprinting success.

Meet Andrew Iselin: Lachlan Kennedy’s Coach

While Andrew Iselin’s personal life remains largely private, his professional ethos speaks volumes. A respected figure in Australian athletics, he is known for his calm demeanor and tactical precision. 

Iselin began coaching Kennedy at Brisbane’s St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace, where he recognized Kennedy’s raw speed during a school relay trial. Since then, Iselin has balanced rigorous training with a “chill” mentorship style, earning Kennedy’s trust as both a coach and confidant. 

Outside the track, Iselin advocates for adaptive coaching methods, emphasizing resilience, a trait mirrored in Kennedy’s ability to thrive despite diabetes. His impact on Kennedy is undeniable. He’s shaped Kennedy into a world-class sprinter while fostering camaraderie among Australia’s rising track stars.

Andrew Iselin’s career highlights and achievements

Iselin’s coaching resume extends beyond Kennedy. He’s mentored Olympians like Calab Law, a World Championships semi-finalist, and guided relay teams to international prominence. Under Iselin, Kennedy slashed his 100m time from 11.6 seconds on a grass track to a blistering 10.00 seconds in 2025. Iselin also champions innovation, incorporating data-driven strategies to optimize performance. For instance, he adjusted Kennedy’s training to accommodate his diabetes, ensuring blood sugar levels never hindered progress. This adaptability has cemented Iselin’s reputation as a coach who transforms the challenges athletes face into podium finishes.

Andrew Iselin’s impact on Lachlan Kennedy’s sprinting success

Iselin’s influence on Kennedy is multifaceted. Technically, he refined Kennedy’s starts—a weakness during his rugby days—into an explosive asset, evident in Kennedy’s 60m world lead. Mentally, Iselin harnessed Kennedy’s rugby grit, teaching him to embrace the pressure. “You’ve got to hold him back sometimes,” Iselin joked, referencing Kennedy’s relentless work ethic. Their partnership thrives on trust: when critics questioned Kennedy’s record-shattering 6.43-second 60m run, Iselin stood firm, defending his athlete’s legitimacy and focus. Together, they’ve navigated setbacks, like Kennedy’s Stawell Gift exit due to handicapping, turning frustration into fuel.

Under Iselin’s guidance still steering his career, Kennedy is charging into 2025 with historic ambitions. Fresh off his Diamond League debut in Xiamen, where he clocked 10.18 seconds for fifth place, edging out Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, Kennedy has secured a spot on Australia’s World Athletics Championships team. This September in Tokyo, he’ll face the ultimate test: representing his country in the 100m against the planet’s fastest sprinters. While his Xiamen time narrowly missed the podium (by a razor-thin 0.01 seconds), it proved he belongs among the elite.

Now Kennedy aims to shave fractions off his time and inch closer to the coveted sub-10-second barrier at The Diamond League’s Shanghai meet. Breaking that milestone would place him among legends like Patrick Johnson in Australian sprinting history. With Iselin helping him improve his starts and mindset, Kennedy’s journey isn’t just about running fast — it’s about making history, one powerful stride at a time.