Published: December 24, 2007 07:47 pm         

Keeling true scholar athlete

Jake Keeling doesn’t like stereotypes.

With a 34 on his ACT test and planning a career as a medical researcher, he doesn’t fit the image of a typical high school wrestler.

“I’ve been told I don’t fit the stereotype of a classic nerd either,’’ he said.

He just wants to the “best Jake Keeling he can be.’’

“I don’t think of myself as anything other than myself,’’ he said

He has done quite well at that.

Keeling is the vice president of the Enid High School student council and the president of the National Honor Society. He hopes his grades and ACT scores can lead to scholarships to academic heavyweights such as Harvard or Rice.

“He is a kid that’s going to be successful later in life,’’ said Enid coach Shane Kerr. “That’s the kind of kid you want to have.’’

Keeling plays down his academic achievements.

“Honestly, it’s my memory,’’ he said. “I’m a pretty good natural student. It’s carried me through my entire academic career.’’

His schedule is not full of cupcakes — AP electricity and magnetism, AP statistics, AP chemistry, AP literature and Spanish III as well as being on the Constitution team.

“I’ve got senioritis so bad,’’ Keeling said. “There are some things that I want to do, but I can’t afford to give in to it.’’

Wrestling helps give him discipline.

“What I’ve learned in wrestling is going to help prepare me for the pressures I’m going to face in academics later on,’’ Keeling said

Keeling, who has wrestled since the seventh grade, has earned Kerr’s respect for his determination. He hasn’t been a regular starter, but is one of the hardest workers in the room.

“He’s a very dedicated kid,’’ Kerr said. “He hasn’t always hasn’t been in the starting lineup, but he’s always here working. That’s not always easy.’’

Wrestling offers Keeling a release from academic pressures.

“It’s amazing to be around the other guys who are basically my brothers,’’ Keeling said. “It’s been fun. This is something I’ve wanted to do since I was five years old rolling around in my backyard.’’

He doesn’t think he’s special for hanging around for six years.

“There’s no prizes for quitters,’’ he said. “I enjoy what I’m doing. It makes everything else a whole lot easier. I don’t think it’s a great feat just to hang in there. Anyone with determination can do that. It’s something I do more for pride than anyone else.’’

Keeling, Kerr said, is a good role model for his teammates.

“I don’t have the best record,’’ Keeling said, “but I try to lead through example by working as hard as I can.’’

He occasionally struggles to make weight at 160 pounds. He will spend his holidays working out in the wrestling room.

“It’s tough at this time of the year,’’ Keeling said, “but you can’t take a day off either. I still hope I can do something at the regional tournament.’’

Kerr has been able to help Keeling balance wrestling, academics and other school activities.

“The trick to mixing academics and wrestling is you have to take care of the things that need to be taken care of,’’ Keeling said. “You can’t waste your time on the small things that don’t mean anything at all. It’s fallen together pretty well.’’

Kerr has been supportive when there might be a conflict.

“I don’t do anything unless I have to,’’ Keeling said. “Sometimes I might have to cut out one day of something for something that’s most important.’’

He likes the scientific approach to wrestling. There’s more “brain work’’ to the sport than most people see.

He is especially interested in Rice because of its closeness to M.D. Anderson in Houston, considered the premier cancer research center in the United States.

He also is looking at Harvard or the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Keeling has academic offers from the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University.

“I hoping to hear what the bigger schools have to offer,’’ Keeling said. “I’ll make my decision after that.

Keeling has always wanted to be a cancer researcher.

“I like the challenge of find cures to save some people’s lives,’’ Keeling said.

Keeling’s grandfather died of cancer, but Keeling said his interest started before that.

“It’s really an individual thing for me,’’ Keeling said. “I just try to be the best Jake Keeling I can be, that’s the philosophy of my life.’’