April 26, 2005

After being redshirted this past fall semester, Westly Keating (Pharr, TX/University of Texas) has continued where he left off last spring. The junior long-distance runner has been one of the top runners for the Broncs this semester.

Keating, currently a junior, has one more year of eligibility left for outdoor competition. He recently finished fourth at the Texas Relays in the 5,000-meter run, and was one of four Broncs who placed in the top five at the nationally-recognized meet. Keating said that it has been a tough year, and that he's been off his form.

"He has had some up-and-down performances by his standards, but I think overall he has done a great job," said UTPA assistant track and field coach Peter Hess.

Several changes for the long-distance runner have had some effect on his performance this semester. The departure of his trainer and mentor, Doug Molnar, along with his training partner Hugo Cervantes have made this season an especially difficult one.

"We've had a coaching change, and it has been hard to get used to it," Keating said. "My training partner is no longer on the team, and without him on the team, it has been hard to get back into rhythm."

In the last two years at UTPA, Keating has run past the competition, and he has been honored as an All-American and as Independent Runner of the Year for two years. The Pharr, TX, native became the first male track and field performer to qualify for the NCAA Division I National Championships.

"He is a great competitor when it comes down to it, and I think he will have an outstanding season," Hess said. "His ability is to keep going and push through when everyone else shuts down, which is what sets him apart from the other distance runners."

Keating said that some of his most memorable moments as a Bronc came when he went to run at nationals, and all his teammates went to cheer him on. He said that it was great to see them there.

At Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High School, Keating dominated the competition, placing first at the Texas 5A State Championships in the 3,200-meter run, after having taken first at the district and regional competitions. Keating said a source of inspiration was Jason Richenine, who was someone he always tried to top every time he competed.

"My role model has been Jason Richenine because we used to run against each other in high school." Keating said. "He was so tough, and you just want to be like those kinds of people."

He said that he would love to get sponsored so that he can run a bit longer after graduation, but his future plans are to try to get into pharmacy school after receiving his degree in chemistry.

The Broncs' junior is currently getting set to compete at the Stanford meet in two weeks then point toward the regional meet. Hess said that Keating has an outstanding tolerance for pain, and that is what long-distance running is about.

"Right now, we are trying to gear things up for the Stanford meet in two weeks then go from there," Hess concluded.

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