There is still time to vote for Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country coach Kris Keppel for a national inspiration award.
Keppel, as of early Thursday morning, was in second place nationwide in online voting for the Brooks Inspiring Coaches Award. The contest is administered by sports apparel and equipment manufacturer Brooks Sports Inc., and already has won the Gator cross-country team $5,000 in running shoes, apparel and accessories from Brooks, as well as $500 in cash for team expenses.
The winner of the national competition, which depends on daily voting, will win an additional $5,000 in Brooks apparel, plus $2,000 more in cash to the school’s athletic department.
Currently in first place with just over 2,000 votes is Stan Fryczynski, a New Jersey running coach who has spent more than 41 years on the job.
Keppel was nominated by girls cross-country coach Karen DeHaas, who described the coach as a model for the runners.
“He has helped so many kids get into colleges , and wrote letters — you wouldn’t believe how many,” DeHaas said. “Anyone who came to him for help, he would help them, whether it was something to do with sports, or something to do with academics. He is just a wealth of information.”
Facebook users can vote for their favorite coach among the 25 national nominees once every 24 hours through the end of the month. The winner will be announced later this summer in Seattle.
To vote for Keppel, click here.
| 1. Stan Fryczynski | 2,066 | 2. Kris Keppel | 1,598 | 3. Ruqayya Gibson | 1,168 | 4. Keith Olsen | 1,013 | 5. Anthony Belber | 834 | 6. Renee Williams-Smith | 793 | 7. Bret Neylon 679 | 679 | 8. Dave Halliday | 651 | 9. Tracy Hawkins | 591 | 10. Jason Capelli | 507 | 11. John Neff | 472 | 12. Brian Lombardo | 350 | 13. Nick Accardo | 339 | 14. Desmond Dunham | 336 | 15. Nick Scott | 330 | 16. Dominic Newman | 283 | 17. Gilberto Ruiz | 263 | 18. David Culp | 196 | 19. Matthew Tompkins | 195 | 20. Kelly Richards | 189 | 21. Jeremy Bartley | 183 | 22. Dan Reeks | 171 | 23. Davis Eidahl | 143 | 24. Brandon Back | 107 | 25. Garlynn Boyd | 66 |
– as of 7/3/14, 1:20 a.m.
