TERRE HAUTE, Ind. ? Indiana State junior Scott Keeney was among the best men's collegiate cross country student-athletes on Monday when he competed in the 2008 NCAA Division I Cross Country Championships. Keeney made his first appearance in the championships and finished in 196th place out of 252 runners at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.
Keeney was the first Indiana State runner to compete in the championships since 2006, when Justin Kunz placed 76th in the race. With his participation in the race, the Frankfort, Ind., became the fourth ISU student-athlete to qualify for the NCAA championship under head coach John McNichols.
“Scott raced against some very strong competition today,” said McNichols. “Being his first time here, I think he learned what it really takes to stay focused throughout a long week of interviews and preparation before a national championship meet. I think he went out at about his maximum speed and he really needed to be in about the top 50 at the 2k split in order to be able to keep up the pace. However, he got back in the traffic and just couldn't break free in the latter stages of the race. All things considered, he ran a new personal best in the 10k and it was a solid effort for his first try.”
Keeney ran the course in a time of 31:46.0, almost five seconds faster than his personal-best in the 10k which he set on November 15 at the Great Lakes Regional in West Lafayette, Ind. His 13th place performance at the regional meet qualified Keeney for the championships on Monday at his home course.
“It was great to run in the NCAA championship on my home course,” said Keeney. “The course was a bit wet and it was really windy out there, but it was firm and that helped quicken the pace at the beginning. I am disappointed in my finish today, but that happens sometime no matter what you do out there. I just hope I can do well enough next year to make it back here and hopefully bring the rest of my teammates with me as well.”
