For Fort Hays State University’s cross country runner Cory Keehn, Soldier senior and Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association champion, his faith is first and running is second.
“My faith is the most important thing in my life,” Keehn said.”Everything else comes secondary to that.”
Keehn considers running a form of worship because his faith is his reason for running.
“Some people worship God through music, but I do it by running,” Keehn said.”It’s just an act of worship to Him.”
He points out that the only person he can thank for his success on the track is God.
“God gave me this ability to run,” Keehn said.”Without Him, I wouldn’t be able to have done this.”
Keehn believes that you do not need to have your nose in the Bible to follow God. Keehn feels God lived on this earth and loved people through His occupation.
“If Jesus was a carpenter for 33 years of his life, then I can love God and others through my running,” Keehn said.
Keehn was introduced to running at a young age. Both of his parents were college runners-his dad was a marathon runner and his mom an 800 meter runner.
“I saw them running all the time, and when I was three I ran my first road race,” Keehn said.
Keehn grew up in a small town called Soldier, about three in a half hours northeast of Hays. According to Keehn, the town had a population of about 100 and one stop sign that nobody stopped at.
“There was a church, a bar, and a bed and breakfast, and that’s about all,” Keehn said.
Keehn believes God opens doors for him. One door opened for Keehn to go to Fort Hays and he stepped right through it. In no time he became one of the best runners in FHSU history. Keehn has broken records, been a conference champion, been part of a team championship, and won races.
He views all of these feats as a bonus to him.
“Seeing the lives of my teammates change since I’ve came to this university and seeing how God has worked through them is what I’ve enjoyed the most,” Keehn said.
Keehn was the first Tiger to be an MIAA champion as an individual when he won the MIAA meet back in 2012; however, he does not want to be remembered for accomplishments on the track. Instead, he wants to be remembered as someone who made his goals secondary to caring and serving others.
Keehn looks at running as a good pass time and knows there is more to life than running. Recently, he took a major step in the rest of his life and married fellow cross country teammate Alex Nelson, Clay Center senior.
“He’s a kind and caring person,” Nelson said. “He is always putting others before himself.”
“It’s been quite a change, but a blessing,” Keehn said. “My wife is a wonderful person.”
Keehn’s been getting used to the married life this summer and has not done a lot of road races, but Keehn says his wife gets him out running.
“Every now and then when it comes time to run, she gives me the boot out the door,” Keehn said.
Keehn will spend this next cross country season as a red shirt. With two years of school left and a pretty green squad coming this year, Keehn took the red shirt to ensure that he would have one more year of running.
“You know if I’m still going to be here, might as well be running,” Keehn said.
Keehn will still be able to run, but will be running unattached as he works towards getting his degree in Human Health and Performance and becoming a coach to help young runners become quality runners.
“Ultimately, I just live my life available to God and it’s wherever He takes me,” Keehn said.
While Keehn is eyeing 2015 as his return as an attached runner for the Tigers, he is still looking forward to the Aug. 10 date of meeting the new runners and getting the season started. Keehn will only run in pre-selected meets, but will be around to cheer on his teammates as they start the season on Aug. 30.
I enjoyed the story about Cory Keehn, his running, and his faith. I hope to run for Fort Hays someday also (track, not cross country) so listening to his story inspired me.