Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Jakob Keller, Havre High Track

Running isn't something that comes naturally to everyone, and even though running isn't his first love when it comes to athletics, Jakob Keller just happens to be one of those people.

The Havre High sophomore, who is one of the top returning athletes on the Blue Pony boys track team, has been running competitively since he was in the eighth grade and over the past few years, it's a sport where he has grown tremendously.

After trying out track for the first time in middle school, Keller chose to pursue cross country in high school and has excelled for the Havre cross country team in each of the last two seasons. As a freshman in 2015, Keller finished 13th at the Central A Divisional meet, before competing at state and finishing 65th.

Then, last spring, Keller tried his hand at track and competed for the Ponies in both the 800-meter dash and the 1,600-meter run. Ultimately, Keller performed well enough to go to state, but ended up not taking the trip. However, after another solid season in cross country last fall, that saw him take 10th place at divisionals and finish 47th at the Class A state meet, the three-sport athlete, who also plays basketball, looks primed for a breakout campaign in track.

The track season officially started for both HHS teams last Saturday in Lewistown, when both Pony squads competed in the Central Montana Invitational. And true to form, Keller opened his season in impressive fashion, finishing fourth in the 800 and sixth in the 1,600.

Yet, in terms of local track competition, the season gets an unofficial start today as Keller and both Havre teams will join a slew of local teams in participating at the Cal Wearley Invitational today at the Havre Middle School track.

While the Ponies will compete against just about every Class C and Class B team in the area today, it's simply the start of a busy week that concludes Saturday with the Havre Lions Track meet, which will also be hosted at HMS.

Keller, who has big goals for the 2017 season, will be one of the many Havre athletes in action this week and before taking part in his first meets at home this season, the Havre Daily News caught up with the sophomore for five questions.

HDN: What is it that has gotten you so into running these past few years?

Keller: "My friends and family keep me going. They tell me to do it, so I do it, and they like watching me run."

HDN: Do you like running?

Keller: "I don't really like running, no. I got into it when I was in eighth grade and I was pretty good at it, so I just kept doing it."

HDN: How much do you think doing cross country helps you prepare for track?

Keller: "I think that it helps me a lot. It helps me stay in better shape and keeps me from sitting around on the couch and doing nothing."

HDN: Are you a fan of sports or do you have any other hobbies?

Keller: "I am not a big fan of sports. I watch football and I am a Broncos fan because both of my parents are, but mostly I just like to hang out with friends and play video games."

HDN: What are your goals for this season?

Keller: "I want to run the mile in 4:50 and I want to make it to state. It's really hard to run the mile in under five minutes. The fastest time I have got so far is 5:06, so I am really close and I really want to beat it."