If you were to tell the majority of the Wrangler Athletes to go out and run three to five miles on a daily basis, they would probably look at you like you were crazy.  For Head Cross Country and Track Coach Rachel Keylon, this is a daily occurrence for her team during the fall semester racking up 60 or more miles on a weekly basis. 

Over the past three seasons, Rachel has helped ten runners qualify and compete at the NJCAA D1 Cross Country National Championships.

In addition to coaching, Rachel is a Kinesiology instructor on campus. During both the fall and spring semesters she balances coaching both the male and female cross country and track teams and teaching multiple hours.  This April, Rachel and her husband Kyle welcomed their first child, Branch, to the family. 

"Rachel has been a great addition to the Odessa College Sports Center" said Athletic Director Wayne Baker.  "Her constant desire to take care of students and make them successful is very rewarding to watch.  With a majority of her time spent teaching in the kinesiology department, she is still willing to devote time to the athletes in the cross country program on a daily basis.  I watch them practice at 6am and again later at 4pm, knowing that Coach Keylon is going to instruct all day long.  I definitely appreciate the energy and time Rachel puts into the students at Odessa College."

Q: What are you doing during COVID-19 to stay in touch with your student-athletes?
A: My Student Athletes and I text and post in our group app daily.

Q: How has COVID-19 changed your approach to coaching/recruiting for next year?
A: COVID-19 has led to more emails, texting and phone calls between the student-athletes and myself because there isn't any face to face meetings. I also watch more running videos as compared to before when I would go recruit at track meets.

Q: Hero or Role Model – Someone you look up to?
A: My Father

Q: Best Part of Your Job?
A: Getting to know and influence Students and Athletes

Q: Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do away from work?
A: I love to craft, I make tumblers cups, t-shirts and wooden crafts. I also love to spend time with my family.

Q: What is your Favorite Movie?
A: 42

Q: If you could have dinner with 3 other people, dead or alive, who would they be? Why?
A: My Grandma Durham, Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens. They are all people I look up too and could learn so much from.

Q: Something people don't know about you?
A: I can play the piano. 

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Homemade Chicken and Noodles

Q: If there was a movie made about your life, what actor would play you?
A: Jenifer Lawrence

Q: What is your favorite quote?
A: Don't worry about tomorrow for today has enough worries of its own.  Matthew 6:34

Q: If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be?
A: Cheetah, to run really fast

Q: What do you like about working at Odessa College?
A: The people I work with