Student Athlete of the Week: Ryder Keeton

Ryder Keeton's passion for running goes far deeper than his pursuit of state championships.

While he remains focused on bringing big-time hardware back to Niwot High School, the junior cross country standout procures motivation through his love for the sport. Even something as simple as discovering a new running trail can gratify Keeton.

"In training, I mostly enjoy exploring the environments where I can run and the trails I can run," Keeton said. "It's a really fun thing for me to explore."

Concurrently, Keeton appreciates the structure running provides. Daily runs, strenuous training sessions, and the camaraderie he has with his teammates all provide order in his life.

"Mentally, I love the consistency," Keeton said. "I show up and do it every day, and I like the routine that it puts into my life. When I'm racing I like seeing all that work I've put in for myself end up as a result - even if it isn't the exact result I was expecting or wanted. I still know that I worked very hard to get the opportunity to do it. The experience is always gonna be fun either way."

Keeton has enjoyed plenty of favorable results throughout his halfway-complete high school career. At the Class 4A track and field state championships in May, he placed eighth in the 3,200-meter (nine minutes, 23.16 seconds) and 16th in the 1,600m (4:26.84). Aided by Keeton's long-distance success, the Niwot boys tied for second in the team standings.

Last fall, Keeton was a member of Niwot's state championship-winning boys cross country squad. The then-sophomore finished 11th individually, just behind teammates Cole Mazurana (eighth) and Rocco Culpepper (third).

In June, Keeton and Mazurana were among several Niwot runners who competed in the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Racing at the University of Oregon's Hayward Field, Keeton recorded a personal best time in the two-mile (9:16.23) and was pleased with his effort in the one-mile (4:20.52).

"I feel like I did close to the best I could've," said Keeton, who was racing with REAL Training Colorado, a club program led by Niwot track and field head coach Maurice Henriques. "I had a lot of fitness built up through the season. I got a good PR (personal record) in the two-mile and I gave it my best shot in the mile."

Keeton also appreciated the opportunity he was granted to mingle with some of the nation's top high school runners at Hayward Field.

"It was an awesome experience," Keeton said. "I went with a couple of teammates, and we had a great time bonding together and staying in Eugene. When it came to the meet, it was great to be in the call room with all the athletes from different parts of the country and talking to everyone. The environment at Hayward Field is really awesome. It feels like track is the most important sport."

As his junior cross country season approaches, Keeton hopes to continue progressing toward his goal of running in college.

"I definitely want to be noticed by college recruiters and potentially put myself in the position for a scholarship," Keeton said. "From what I've heard and seen, it seems like a great fit for me... After (my) freshman year, I realized how much potential I have and how much I enjoy the sport. It's (running in college) definitely a path that should be explored."

Niwot's first cross country meet is scheduled for Aug. 24 at Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch.