Randy Keener Provides Greenbrier West Track with Unique Versatility

Greenbrier West senior Randy Keener posed for a picture Saturday afternoon on the turf at Van Meter Stadium.

Keener, along with Ben Butler, Isaac Agee and Ben McDaniel had just won the 4x100 meter relay at the Class A Region 3 track meet.

Wait, wasn't Keener a lineman on the Cavaliers football team? Didn't Keener win the regional title in the discus throw earlier in the day?

Of course, yes, is the answer to both questions and is a clear example of Keener's diverse talents that include strength and speed.

Keener finished the regional meet Saturday with four medals around his neck.

Along with a first place finish in the discus and 4x100 relay, Keener was a key member of the regional champion 4x200 meter relay squad and the defending state champion shuttle hurdle relay team.

"This day means a lot to me being my senior year, the last time ever," Keener said. "I just give the glory to God and my teammates."

Standing 6-foot tall and weighing 185 pounds, Keener doesn't fit the mold of a lineman. His strength and attitude say differently.

"Freshman and sophomore year, I was a skill player, wide receiver and kick returner," Keener said. "Then my senior year, I realized that a place on the line was where I belonged. It was the place where I could help the team the most and that means the most to me."

The strength to hold his own in the trenches comes from a relentless work ethic in the weight room, which has also aided his success far beyond football.

"I spend so much time in the weight room and I really see it paying off in all of my throwing events. On the line it makes it so much easier and, of course, it makes you faster," Keener said. "I try to spend as much time as possible in the weight room. I think this is all the result of that."

Head basketball coach and football defensive coordinator Jared Robinson added his thoughts on Keener's diversity, strength and drive.

"Randy is a phenomenal young man," Robertson said. "In football on defense we moved him around to several different spots. He filled in and did a good job at all of them. He didn't care where he played. In basketball he was an undersized post, but he is strong as an ox which let him be a great rebounder for us. He really developed his game over the last few years and became a valuable member of our basketball team."

Track and Field has allowed Kenner's light to shine the brightest, but still, championship titles by the same athlete in speed events and throwing events are not a common occurrence.

"We have a great coach in Billy (Pate) and he has taught me a lot this year and I go back to that weight room. It helps a lot," Keener said.

While Keener will make a push for the top spot in all four events this weekend at the state meet, defending the title in the shuttle hurdle relay has a special place in his heart.

This year, Keener will join Agee, Brandon Poticher and Colton Dunbar in the quest for not only the top spot, but a new state record as well.

The foursome had hoped to run together last year, but was side-tracked by an injury to Poticher. This year, a knee injury in football for Agee, who is the defending state champion in the 110 meter hurdles, nearly broke up the band once again.

However, Agee worked his way back and now the Cavalier foursome is ready to shine in Charleston.

Thus far, the tandem has the fastest overall time in the state.

"Last year Brandon was out with his shoulder, then this year we didn't know if Isaac was going to be back (after) his knee (injury)," Keener said. "We knew this year was going to be special coming into it as long as everyone could stay healthy."

Even though the Cavaliers came into the season as the heavy favorite to repeat, Keener says the group is taking nothing for granted.

"We were hoping to win the regionals with all of our guys and have some great times," Keener said. "When you get to the state meet there are tons of guys that are just as dominant and just as good as us. We know that we have to work hard in practice every day so we can compete with those guys. It is a constant drive to get better."

The state track meet will likely bring an end to Keener's sports career, but with his drive and determination, it's hard to tell which path Keener will travel in the years to come.

"Randy is an awesome kid. Loves weightlifting and benches over 350 pounds," head football coach Kelly Vaughn said. "Strongest bench in school history and has multiple academic scholarships. Randy will be attending Marshall University this fall. We are really proud of him and he has been a pleasure to coach."