Keela Yount

Keela Yount, a 1977 DeWitt graduate, lettered in cross country, basketball, volleyball, and track.  In track, she won the state championship in the 1600 meter run, making her the first DeWitt female to win an individual state championship.  Her senior year, DeWitt finished second at the state meet, led by her individual state championships in both the 800 meter run and the 1600 meter run.  She was also a member of the mile relay team that finished in second place.  Yount set the Lansing State Journal Honor Roll Meet record in the mile in 1977.  She set the school record at DeWitt in the 1600 meter run in 1976 with a time of 5:15.5, a mark which still stands today.  She ran with the boys cross country team because the Michigan High School Athletic Association did not have girls cross country as an official sport until two years after her graduation.  Her impact in the sport would eventually lead to the girls program's success throughout the 1980s.  Yount accepted a scholarship to Central Michigan University, competing in both track and field and cross country.  By the time she was finished as an All-Mid-American Conference performer, she held school records in six events.  Yount's love for running continued into a successful coaching career, first as an assistant coach at the University of Arkansas and then as head coach of the Chippewas from 1984-1997.  She coached both cross country and track and field, leading CMU to a runner-up finish in track and field in 1985 and the MAC championship in cross country in 1989.  She was named MAC Coach of the Year for track in 1985 and for cross country in both 1987 and 1989.