Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Keion Battle

Junior Keion Battle comes from a family of athletes. His father is a former NBA player, and his brothers and sister have all had their share of successes at Oswego East and beyond. One might expect Keion to have a small sense of arrogance because of his family history, but if anything, Keion's work-like mentality and calm demeanor in everything he does stand in complete contrast to that idea, and for this, he is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

While most of his family members have found success on the basketball court, Keion has carved his own path on the gridiron and track. Keion joined the track team his freshman year as a way to get in shape for football season but soon found a passion and success in the sport.

"Keion is a hard worker who is also talented," says head coach James Milner. He goes on to add, "His mental approach to the sport is what sets him apart, however. He has a tremendous ability to focus. He definitely has the ability to break many records at OEHS."

Anyone who has spent time around Keion understands he has a calm and quiet nature about him. His U.S. History teacher, Matt Engelhardt, understands this quiet nature is more about his laser-like focus rather than his demeanor. "Keion is one of the most attentive students I've had and is constantly absorbing information," says Matt. He goes on to add, "In an age where many people feel the need to share their every thought and action on social media, instantaneously, Keion has a unique sponge-like ability to listen, absorb, and process information."

Keion's mother, Tiffany Battle, has watched how Keion's demeanor has helped him be successful, saying, "Keion has a very strong determined personality." She goes on to add, "As an athlete I think he's silent but lethal, he's strong and determined. He's going to surprise a lot of people when they see how far he goes."

This past fall Keion earned all-conference honors as a wide receiver for the football team, but this spring Keion has an opportunity to place himself amongst the all-time best in OE history in track. He is a 2018 state qualifier in the long jump, and currently holds the school indoor long jump record for juniors, the freshman and sophomore indoor triple jump records, and sophomore outdoor long jump record. His personal goal is to break the indoor long jump record of 22'3, and break the outdoor record later this spring.

The long and triple jump may be Keion's best events, but he is also a member of the 4x200 team. Having the experience of being a state qualifier means Keion will be responsible for leading this four-member team. "He's been to the big stage and he is able to share that experience with his teammates to elevate them," says James. He adds, "He's able to stay calm and collective, however, when it's time to run or jump. He's as aggressive of a competitor as anyone." Despite being on the more reserved side in class, Keion's leadership traits are on display there as well, with Engelhardt saying, "Respected by his peers, his actions carry as much if not more weight than his words. He is consistent, strong, thoughtful, disciplined, and focused."

Keion also excels in the classroom, and his maturity since arriving at OE is evident in that his G.P.A. has risen every semester since freshman year, and he has enrolled in more challenging courses such as AP Physics and Honors Earth and Space Science. "Keion often has a depth of thought and logic that is more mature than his peers," says Engelhardt.

As a junior, Keion is still weighing his options regarding his path post-high school. His goal is to earn a scholarship to play football in college and is currently thinking of majoring in some area of the medical field. Keion has an interest in how the human body works and is bucking the notion of seniors taking classes that may be easier on their schedule by enrolling in difficult courses such as Anatomy, setting himself up for the experience he will need to excel in college.

Keion's quiet leadership will be counted on this spring in track and next fall on the football field, which Keion has already proven he is more than up to the task to handle. A man of few words, Keion's advice to future Wolves is to simply, "Try to get involved in as many school activities as possible." Keion is hopeful his actions can do the talking for him this Saturday as he attempts to etch his name in school history.