Keith continuing career at Indian Hills

After finishing her high school career as a two-time All-Conference performer, Washington senior Emme Keith has decided to keep her career going in college.

On Wednesday, the senior announced her intentions to run cross-country and cheer at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa.

?It?s really exciting,? Keith said. ?It?s a big step and I?ve been thinking about it a long time and to have it done is exciting and to know what you are doing.?

Keith finished her high school career strong, posting a 19:59 over 5000 meters in this past fall?s district race, and that time should put her on a good pace for her junior college career.

?You know she?s going to be great,? Indian Hills cross-country coach Scott Barnes said. ?She has the right attitude and work ethic. We think she could be a potential All-American as a freshman based on the times she?s been running. We know that she could get even better.?

Barnes, who will be entering his third season as the IHCC head coach, said the time Keith should be shooting for is 19:30 for an All-American nod, and with a program on the rise, Emme should be able to work down to those times.

?Our girls? program took a huge leap last year,? Barnes said. ?We jumped to fourth in the conference, and if you ask anyone we have probably the toughest region in the country. Someone like Emme will easily be a Top 3 runner. She will give us an extra push.?

Although Keith was also considering Iowa Central for continuing her running career, as well as Wartburg, William Penn and Buena Vista, she ultimately settled on Indian Hills due to the program and its location close to home.

While still at home for another semester, the Demon senior hopes that starting a college career will become a trend around Washington.

?I never once made it to state but I?m still going on to college to run,? Keith said. ?That could be encouraging to other runners, who can still think about going to college, because it?s possible, especially if you have a really tough district.?

Keith noted that the coaches are among the top memories she wants to remember from her time at Washington, and Washington head coach Steve Roth said he was proud of the work she has put in to get to this point.

?That?s the coolest thing is that she can turn this into a college experience,? Roth said. ?That?s what we?ve worked on. What I?m most proud of is that she?s improved every year and finished on the top every year. You can?t ask for anything more. This is the next level for her.?