Keller’s crew comes from afar

Mike Keller recruited far and wide with great success when he was track and field coach at the University of Idaho. On Saturday night, some of his former athletes returned the favor.

Keller’s most famous pupil, Olympic champion Dan O’Brien, flew into town Saturday to be on hand for Keller’s induction into the Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame at the 45th annual North Idaho Sports Banquet at the Coeur d’Alene Inn.

Keller had no idea O’Brien, a volunteer assistant coach at Arizona State, was going to attend the event. The former Vandal coach was even more surprised when Trond Knaplund showed up – all the way from Norway.

“Trond finished fifth in the NCAAs in Eugene (in the decathlon) the year I recruited Danny,” said Keller, who was inducted along with Kellogg girls’ sports pioneer Mary Jean Hinkemeyer, ex-Vandal basketball standout Phil Hopson and former Idaho football star Dick Litzinger.

“The next day I recruited Danny (out of Klamath Falls, Ore.). Danny coming tonight, that shocked the heck out of me. And Trond … he came all the way from Norway for my retirement party that we had on the track in 1999. That’s fantastic. Loyal kids.”

Again, just returning the favor.

“I can honestly say I wouldn’t have been in the situation I was in had he not taken an interest in me and given me two, three, four, five extra chances to perform at a high level,” said O’Brien, who won gold in the decathlon in 1996. “It’s hard to find people like that – somebody who is going to stick with you no matter what.”

During the awards portion of the evening, North Idaho College volleyball fared well. Cintia Alessi, a first-team All-American, was honored as college female athlete of the year. Bret Taylor was named college coach of the year.

Lake City High football, which went unbeaten in winning the 5A state title, won awards for top male team and top coach for a male team (Van Troxel). Kootenai track and field, which won the 1A state title for the fifth straight year, was well-represented. Shannon LaFountaine was honored as top coach for a female team. Warriors standout Darcy Collins, who won 14 state championships in 15 career events, shared track and field athlete of the year for 3A-1A schools with Prairie’s Nicole Nida.

Bonners Ferry state champion thrower Kaitie Poston was selected prep female athlete of the year. Lakeland multiple-sport standout Bubba Bartlett won the male award.