Coaches Kirk Maska and Rick Keltner were given the Kansas Cross Country Track and Field Coaches Association (KCCTFCA) longevity award for having coached track and field for 30 or more years.

Keltner has coached track for a decade more than the 30-year mark the award entails.

“This is my forty-first year of coaching track,” Keltner said. “I’ve coached three sports at Hays High for 105 straight seasons. In total, I’ve coached 112 seasons.”

Keltner did not have to complete any special application for the award. It was simply awarded by KCCTFCA for years served coaching track.

“It is basically an award for being old,” Keltner said.

Principals Chris Michaelis and Martin Straub approached Keltner a few weeks prior to the presentation of the award and made him aware that they wanted to do something to honor him and Maska.

The award was presented during halftime of the home football game against Garden City on Sept. 22 at Lewis Field.

Keltner feels very lucky to have been able to gain his coaching experience at Hays High.

“I’ve been very fortunate and very blessed,” Keltner said. “I never dread going to work.”

18lgregory@usd489.com