Kelto breaks school track records after transferring from Michigan State
| Just two seasons ago, Abbey Kelto was struggling on the Michigan State University women’s track and field team and was seeking a change. After transferring to Central Michigan University in 2013, the track and field star is excelling in the classroom and is “happier” on the oval as a Chippewa. The senior from Munising runs distance events for CMU, and holds a spot on the cross country team. She has broken school records in the 10,000-meter event outdoors, 5,000-meters and 3,000-meters indoors. She also holds the school records for the 5,000 and 6,000-meters in cross country. “It’s more than what I would have expected. I’ve grown as a runner,” Kelto said. “It’s helped me push myself to the limit. I’ve fallen more in love with the sport than ever before. That made it easier to keep pushing myself harder.” At the Mid-American Conference Indoor Championships at Jack Skoog Indoor Track in February, Kelto placed seventh in the in the 3,000-meters (9:41.65) and sixth in the 5,000-meters (16:55.18). Earlier during her senior year, Kelto placed 30th in the 5,000-meters (16:42.64) in the Raleigh Relays at North Carolina State University in late March. In early April, she broke the 10,000-meter school record in the Stanford Invitational at Stanford University. Her time of 34:06.81 in the event ranks 33rd in the country. Mark Guthrie, director of track and field, said Kelto could have been one of MSU’s top runners. “I wasn’t as into running and I wasn’t as passionate about it or as focused when I was there,” Kelto said. “I’m just happier now.” Guthrie said Kelto’s rejuvenated love for ther sport rubs off on the rest of the team. “She is a great role model,” Guthrie said. “She’s quiet and goes about her business. She takes care of everything that she needs to take care of, the big issues and the small details.” Kelto said she would not have imagined thinking about her outstanding senior season a year ago. “I’ve never really been satisfied with my running career before this year,” Kelto said. “Over the summer, I was going to change that since it was my last chance. I kind of went in with that mentality.” Kelto’s dedication has also been present in her academics. She made the Academic All-MAC team with a GPA of 3.68. She will enter physical therapy school at CMU in the fall. “School is always my number one priority,” Kelto said. “I always try to make sure that I have that in check. School and track are both priorities. It’s just all about trying to figure out how to balance it and get the best of both.” As Kelto’s running career comes to a close, she said she hopes it will end on the podium at the MAC Outdoor Championships or the NCAA Championships. “(I will take away) the experience of working together with an elite group of athletes,” Kelto said. “It’s bigger than yourself but you kind of make up a part of it. “It’s the experience of being part of a team, doing what you love.” |
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