Calum Keeping is a 14-year-old multi-sport athlete who hails from Niverville and after a strong year in many different sports, he's looking to keep building toward a very bright future.
Describing Keeping as a multi-sport athlete might be a bit of an undersell. "I play soccer for fun, I play competitive volleyball, competitive basketball, I've played a lot of school sports as well, including track," the athletic wonder says with a smile.
Recently, Keeping was part of a big track meet at Stonybrook Middle School and even there, he wasn't happy with just one discipline, he had to do a few. "It was a busy day that day," he says humbly. "A lot of other competitors, it wasn't tough, but it wasn't easy at the same time. I went for long jump, 800 meter, high jump, discus, shotput and high jump."
Doing all of those athletic events in such a short period of time is quite the challenge, says Keeping. "It's draining physically, but I push myself through it. I did train a lot for the 800 meter."
Looking ahead, Keeping says he plans on focusing more on specific sports. "I'm probably going to stick with basketball from now on. It's just been a sport I've played since I was little. I've always loved it and it's just too hard to give up."
While Keeping is a star at individual sports like track, he says being a part of a team is what he cherishes the most. "It's so great. I play with some really great players. I've played with a number of terrific players, some of the best in our age group right now."
Even though track is more individual, Keeping says there's a community of athletes that are always supporting and cheering each other on. "It's so great, each event I do, I always have a group of people cheering me on. It helps me find that next level, especially that 800 meter, it's so exhausting."
At 14-years-old, Keeping is already gearing up to make basketball a part of his life where he can earn a higher level education through the sport. "It's something I've thought about. It would be the dream."
Keeping says his family is at the heart of everything he's done and everything he will do and he loves them dearly. "There's a lot of support in my family. I also have a sister that plays two sports, as well. I always have one parent supporting me in person and if my sister doesn't have an event, all three are there cheering me on. It means the world."
As he continues in the world of sport, many will be cheering on Calum Keeping as he continues to do great things.