Whitefield Student Heads to State Playoffs for Two Sports

Whitefield Academy freshman Robby Keough, son of Kevin and Diana Keough of Atlanta, is headed to the state playoffs in tennis…and track.

A week after winning the 5A regional tennis championship as part of Whitefield Academy’s varsity boys' tennis team, Keough also qualified for state sectionals in track and field, placing third in the 1600m with a time of 4:23.75. According to MileSplit.us, at the time of the race, Robby had the fastest time in the U.S. in the 1600m for a high school freshman. Dubbed a “Rising Star” by In the Game magazine in November 2010, Robby is an anomaly, excelling in two same-season sports.

“Here’s a kid who trains three to four days a week around a tennis season and still manages to excel in both sports,” said Paul Alar, Keough’s track coach.

Already an excellent tennis player in middle school, Keough decided to run cross country in seventh grade to build endurance and stay in shape for the season. Keough’s running took off from there as he discovered his natural talent for running and continued to excel in cross country as well as long-distance events in track.

“Robby is incredibly goal-oriented, focused and disciplined,” said Alar. “He has tremendous natural endurance, is very competitive and has a very high tolerance for pain. Plus, he just loves to run.”

-Courtesy of Whitfield Academy