Keely Collins one of four standout high jumpers chosen for ‘Rally Against Cancer’ fundraiser exhibition

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

DES MOINES — Keely Collins has recently adjusted her flight plan.

A multiple Drake Relays qualifier, three-time state medalist and two-time state runner-up medalist in the high jump — and Charles City High School female record-holder in the event — Collins seemed destined to land (after taking off) in some HJ pit competing at the collegiate level.

But Collins was on the verge of permanently grounding herself after the forthcoming conclusion of her prep career.

“I wasn’t planning on playing sports after high school,” Collins said. “One of my goals for this season was to break my school record [5 feet, 7 inches], qualify for Drake again and place in the Top 3. But that was going to be it.”

Going into her senior school year, Collins started to reconsider a non-athletic college existence and eventually changed her mind. But she’s going to utilize her flight skills in another sport.

“I decided to play volleyball for Drake University,” she said. “I made the decision back in November. So next track season will likely be my last.”

Collins was a two-time All-Northeast Iowa Conference First Team middle hitter/blocker for the Comets. This past season, she led her team in kills and blocks.

Unfortunately for the Comets, Collins turned an ankle going into the Class 4A regional semifinal against Waverly-Shell Rock. During the regular season, Charles City had soundly defeated the Go-Hawks but — with Collins not on the floor and her team sorely missing her “hops” — the No. 15-ranked Comets were eliminated.

“It’s feeling much better,” Collins said of her ankle as she currently plays for an elite club team this winter.

Collins was one of four standout Iowa high school long jumpers chosen to be part of  the “Rally Against Cancer” fundraiser presented by GreenState Credit Union this past Saturday (Jan. 27) in the Veterans Memorial Community Choice Credit Union Ballroom in Des Moines.

Others included Albia junior Ryan Little, Forest City senior Dakota Carlson, and Ankeny senior Reagen Hanfelt.

The four athletes — two girls (Collins, Hanfelt); two boys (Little, Carlson) —  were chosen by the Drake Relays High Jump officials in conjunction with the Iowa High School Athletic Association and Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

“It was based on our performances as well as our character,” said Collins, who partook in a high-jump exhibition with the said athletes inside the ballroom.

“It was on a carpeted surface,” Collins said. “My best jump may have been 5-3. It was just for fun.”

Collins also got to meet the event’s keynote speaker — Chaunté Lowe — who is an Olympic medalist and holds the American female record in the HJ (6 feet, 8.75 inches). The mother of three is also a cancer survivor.

“I hadn’t heard of her before I got to meet her,” Collins said of Lowe, “but she is a great inspiration. I got to meet a lot of positive people down there.”

With Collins set to play volleyball for Drake, she’ll continue a family tradition of competing at the NCAA Division I level. Her older brother, Ian, is now on the University of Northern Iowa football team after transferring from Iowa after originally signing on to jump for the Hawkeye T&F team; and her mother, Kim, played softball at UNI.