Kevin Keller (2014)
About Kevin Keller
The son of Charles Keller, a pole vaulter in the 1930’s for Prospect High School, and coached by his Uncle Paul (Keller), a 1982 Hall of Fame inductee, Kevin’s 1973 AA State Championship title and state record (14’ 5¾”) was the fulfillment of a high school career dedicated to this event. Kevin went on to clear 14’ 11” in the All-Ohio Track Classic and set a new Elgin High School record that still stands today. In his four years at Ohio state, Kevin set the freshman record of 15’ 0”, won numerous invitationals in both indoor and outdoor competitions, and earned All-Big Ten honors in 1975, 1976, and 1977. Elected team captain his senior year, Kevin earned OSU Scholar Athlete recognition and was recognized as thewinner of the Frank R Castleman Award given to the outstanding senior student for excellence in scholarship and leadership. Kevin continued jumping after Ohio State and competing for the Ohio track Club in the National AAU Indoor and Outdoor Championships garnering two top ten finishes in the USA-TFA Championships and setting his 17’ ¼” PR along the way. Kevin was also the athlete representative on the USA-TFA National Track Governing Council. As a teacher at River Valley High School for over 35 years and head coach for18 years, Kevin’s teams won twelve county, nine conference, and two District titles along with numerous individual qualifiers to the State Championship Meet. His pole vaulters have benefited from his expertise with thirteen qualifiers in this event including State Champions, Dan Schlit and Bryan Chard. Kevin has been District track coach on numerous occasions as well as the 1998 OATCCC District 6 Coach of the Year. He ha s served as District Coordinator for the Summer Junior Olympic Track Meets as well as conducted several clinics on the pole vault and its safety and teaching techniques.
