Pinkelman is looking to end her career on a high note

RANDOLPH — To say Randolph High School senior Keely Pinkelman is trying to end her athletic career in style may be a bit of an understatement.

The Lady Cardinal has found a way to make the most of her final campaign in track and field and then some.

Pinkelman was ranked in the Top 10 in Class D in three events heading into last weekend as she is listed among the best in the 400-run, 100-dash and the long jump.

“She has gotten much stronger and faster over the last two years,” Randolph head coach Ted Stubbs said. “Since she is a senior and has not had track since her sophomore year it has been a pleasant surprise to see her really get after her training and weightlifting in the last few months.

“The problem with her events is that even though she is really good in those three events, in our district she is not even in the top 4. Our district is loaded in several events and most are her best events. With additional qualifiers for the state meet she will really have to compete to qualify for the state meet.”

Pinkelman will add the 200 dash to her repertoire while she keeps working on her personal bests in long jump (15-10), 100 (13.3) and the 400 (1:04.00).

“It’s the buildup over the past four years and doing the same things and having not gone to state in an individual event yet,” Pinkelman said. “I didn’t expect to make a huge impact, but here I am. I have just been pushing myself to my own limit. I try to keep up with the boys as much as I can in practice to raise my (performance).

She always tried to stay active and ready to compete.

“I always try to keep on doing some of my individual exercises at home, whether it was core work or running outside (during the quarantine). Sometimes you get those motivated boosts and do sit ups while doing homework.”

She admits most of her athleticism is natural and then took the initiative to improve on the basic skills.

Then of course getting into the sport as a junior high kid and seeing success right out of the gate didn’t hurt her enthusiasm for track and field.

“I was like, ‘I have potential here, I might want to keep working on it,’” Pinkelman said. “I love volleyball and it has always been my sport. This summer, I am already talking to the junior high girls if they want to work out, I will come into town to work out with them – or even basketball.

“Or even if anyone just wants to go on a run, I’ll run with them.”

Pinkelman sees track as a sport to work on quickness for other sports as well as improving her ability to jump.

She realizes her athletic career is about a month from ending on a competitive level, although she hopes to stay involved with intramurals in college when she attends Wayne State.

“I am focusing on my academics – I am going for psychology,” Pinkelman said. “I am going to focus on broad psychology and then go into more detail and maybe transfer to USD. I am fascinated with understanding the minds of people and my own mind.”

In her own mind, she is happy with her athletic career as a Lady Cardinal.

“It’s definitely different with COVID and it’s going incredibly fast,” she said. “I have had a really good time and I am very thankful with the class I’ve grown up with.”

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