The recruiting process was stressful, but enjoyable at the same time for Jack Keelan. The St. Ignatius College Prep senior met a lot of great guys, flew across the country, and got a taste of what the next four years of his running career will be like. After taking visits to Notre Dame, Georgetown, Wisconsin, and Stanford he says the Cardinal won out.
"Stanford has a great combination of both academics and athletics. On my visit I really liked the guys on the team, I really liked what Coach Miltenberg has done so far with the program since he got there, and the 60 degree winters are always a plus."
Keelan bonded with Miltenberg as soon as the two met. He enjoyed his high energy and the way he has the runner's best interest at heart. The combination as the 2012 3A State Cross County Champion, and Nike Nationals qualifier excited to run at the next level. The incoming class includes NXN Champion Sam Wharton of Ohio and Foot Locker National Runmer-Up Sean McGorty of Virginia. He knows that with the strong recruiting class the Cardinal are bringing in combined with the runneres already on the team that he will always have guys to push him in workouts.
Keelan made his college decision the day before the first indoor meet of the year, the U-High Invite. He says he has had many great memories running for the Wolfpack including national meets and fun times with teammates.
"I will always remember going to Portland and racing NXN, breaking 9:00 at Arcadia, and winning state for cross country. I also will remember all the fun days with my team: playing library tag, going down to state for cross country as a team, playing snowy games of kill the carrier at Millenium Park, our crazy frisbee rivalry with Fenwick, trying and failing to run back to school after McDonald’s runs."
His eyes aren't fixated on college just yet, Keelan says there is work to be done during the outdoor season.
"My team and I have our sights on getting a trophy at state, but I also want to break our school record of 8:52 in the 3200, and go sub 4:05 in the mile."