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We at Minnesota MileSplit recently caught up with Breck High Schools Alden Keller. Keller is one of the top distance runners in Minnesota, a state champion, and is already off to a historic start this track season. We talked with Keller about his start in track and field, his future, and what his goals are for this season.
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How did you first get involved in cross country and track?
Since I was four years old, I have been playing soccer and I found my way into running through soccer. Around 6th grade, I began running at USATF and AAU meets and competed in my first official track & field season in the spring of my 8th-grade year at Breck. I competed in my first official cross country season in the fall of my freshman year. Since then, I have mainly focused on running and have loved every second of it.
You won your first state cross country championship last fall. How did that feel and how do you plan to improve on that this spring?
It was amazing to win my first State Title. It felt like a point where all my hard work was really paying off. I am definitely hungrier for more State Titles now and plan to go after a couple this spring. I feel I had a pretty successful indoor season but I have so much more to give and I plan to show that come this outdoor.
This indoor season you ran a 9:16.75 3200m which is already a new PR and faster than any time in Minnesota last year. How did that come about and what are your 3200m and 1600m goals this season?
I ran that 9:16 pretty early in my winter training and improved on it further at New Balance Indoor Nationals where I ran 9:13 for full two miles, so I think I can keep cutting that time down further and further as this season progresses. Going into that 9:16, I was just excited to be in that kind of an environment in California and I had been training hard with my club team coached under Abdi Bile, especially in the weight room, so to be able to PR with such comfort was pretty exciting. Come this outdoor season, I have had the same goals on my mind since last outdoor season. Breaking 9 minutes in the 3200m and 4:10 in the 1600m are my big-time goals, but more than that, I hope to race for more titles in those respective events.
What are some of your goals for this track and field season?
I really want to go out there and compete. I have some big-time goals, as I mentioned earlier in the 1600m and 3200m, and I want to achieve these times while still winning races. I feel I have a lot more to prove. In terms of the team, I feel we have a shot at winning our conference on both the men's and women's sides, so I am excited to be a part of that.
Who are some of your favorite runners to compete against?
I think I have mentioned in another interview, that I enjoy competing against Shef West as we have been racing in the IMAC conference for a few years now. I also look forward to racing Sam Scott, Nick Gilles, Will Skelly, and Elliot McArthur, who are guys I know on and off the track and would love to compete against as they are great athletes.
What would you still like to accomplish for your high school running career?
There is definitely a lot more for me to accomplish. I want to set my school's record in the 800m so I can hold the school records for all events 800m and up. I also want to win as many State Titles as I can and run times that will keep me cemented in Minnesota's history. I have a lot of goals but I am really excited just to run and compete at the highest level.
You are a junior at Breck now and you have surely had some collegiate interest at this point. Have you made any decisions about college yet, or have any colleges shown great interest in you?
The recruiting process has of course been stressful but I have also really enjoyed it. I have taken some unofficial visits and plan to take more. My list is becoming a little bit more pronounced but in general, I am very grateful for all these opportunities I have been given and I just want to put my head down and train, compete and keep my grades up in the classroom.
What goals do you have for yourself after high school?
Since I have become serious about running, I just really want to run at the highest level I can collegiately and see where all this work I have put into this sport will take me. I am really excited for what is ahead.
What has been your favorite high school running memory?
I would say winning my first State Title will be something I will always remember. Beyond that, the support I receive from my friends, family, coaches, teammates, and school as a result of my performances has really meant a lot to me and created fond memories.