When Warrenton track coach Mark Thomas first met Isham Keeper, it wasn’t on a track — it was in a gymnasium. 

Keeper, then a junior, was slamming down dunks left and right. 

“We don’t have many kids that can dunk and he was doing acrobatic things like windmills and reverses,” Thomas said. “From the moment he stepped in the gym, I was trying to get him to go out for the track team.” 

Keeper had no background in track. It was not until his senior year he decided to participate in it.

“I just told him that if you can give us a shot, I promise you won’t be disappointed and he said okay, I’ll give it a shot,” Thomas said. 

That leap of faith soon changed everything. 

In nearly just three months, Keeper went from a complete novice to a state medalist as he placed seventh in the Class 4 State Track and Field Championships after clearing 1.92 meters in the boys high jump. 

“I’m just thankful God gave me the ability to come out and compete and I’m happy to be here,” Keeper said. “I really wanted to make Thomas proud and just seeing the smile on his face, that’s who I really wanted to do it for.” 

The smile was well-earned as Keeper is also Warrenton’s first boys state medalist since 2019. 

“In three months time to go from having to scissor everything to using actual high jump form and getting the technique down, it’s amazing,” Thomas said. “Every coach that we were around at meets was like, ‘you’re kidding me, he’s a senior and this is the first time he’s ever done it?’” 

Thomas noted in Keeper’s first-ever meet he placed second by only using the scissor technique. After clearing a personal-best 1.95 meters in April, Keeper strived to work on his form. 

“He was frustrated he could not get over 1.95 and he asked what was causing it. I told him it’s not your jumping ability, but it’s your form and he said well, we got to work on my form then,” Thomas said. “If he hadn’t concentrated on the form that much from that moment on, I don’t know if he would have gotten where he did.” 

Keeper spent numerous hours practicing, whether it was watching videos or working with previous high jumpers. 

“It was a lot of hours, a lot of Mondays, Sundays and Saturdays. Also, a lot of ice baths that I did not appreciate but I had to do it,” Keeper said. 

All of his work over the span of less than three months soon dwindled down into one moment. 

Before the state meet, Keeper and Thomas shared a prayer. 

“We had a personal moment, just he and I, before other competitors showed up,” Thomas said. “We put our heads together and said some things that I’ll keep between him and I. But, we just tried to get him to a good mental place and I said no matter if you medal or not, I’m proud of you.”

As the 16 competitors attempted the opening height, Keeper found himself with two scratches and one last jump to stay alive. 

“I was just talking to God, trying to get the nerves out because I was definitely nervous,” Keeper said. 

As he pointed to the sky, Keeper took off and soared over the bar. 

“He cleared that opening height – it was a monster jump and he was over it by a whole foot. It would have been nice if he had done that the first time and saved my blood pressure,” Thomas joked. 

From there, Keeper found his groove. 

Keeper’s motivation also stemmed from a third source – his mother. 

“Just to see my mom in the stands, she works hard and a lot of hours a week, so for her to take off and come here to support me means a lot,” Keeper said. 

Though Keeper ultimately fell just short of clearing 1.97 meters, the celebration had already begun. His all-state recognition was secured. Before his final jump, he jogged over to hug Thomas. 

“I never thought I would have been here, but I’m loving it and I’m happy to be here,” Keeper said. 

Thomas reflected on the senior – and now all-state medalist – noting Keeper finally saw what he had seen in the gymnasium that day. 

“It was great to see him finally realize his true potential. Seeing him get on that stage and be a medalist, I think he realized he is pretty good at this,” Thomas said. “It was a proud moment for me, a proud moment for his mom and an even better moment for himself.”