Keller, a sophomore from Dayton, Ohio (Oakwood H.S.), was a key factor for the Pioneer squad in their fourth-place team finish, among a 30-team field, at last Saturday’s NCAA Division II Midwest Regional meet (in Evansville, Indiana) and subsequent qualification to the NCAA Division II National Championships.
Despite suffering from foot pain for the last several weeks, and not running outdoors, Keller competed for the squad, finished third for the team in 26th place overall in 21:51.4 (6K), and helped Malone grab the fourth and final team-qualifying spot to the national meet. The Pioneers, who were unranked but beat four universities that were ranked in the top 25, posted 132 points to edge host University of Southern Indiana by 13 points for that final spot.
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