By Ken Hansard
Coffeyville-Field Kindley’s Keshawn Hayes goes into his senior season for the Golden Tornadoes football team as a well-decorated first team All-League (SEK) receiver and defensive back. But the personal accolades don’t mean nearly as much to Keshawn as does his team’s success, “I am looking forward to us improving as team, and I’m really excited about building new bonds with players. I also want us to win the league this year and for the team to bring home many plaques!”
Last season the Golden Tornadoes finished 6-4, placing 2nd in the SEK League. Their season ended with a 2nd round playoff loss in the final seconds to Wellington. “This year we are looking to bounce back hard and turn those tough losses into wins. We have the guys to make a long run in the playoffs and put Coffeyville’s name on the map again.”
In order for Hayes and his teammates to bring that kind of recognition to their school, Keshawn knows that he will have to be the standard bearer who leads by example, “My role is to be a leader and hold my teammates – and myself – accountable, so we can be successful in the long run.”
Despite Hayes’s individual successes, he realizes that there is always a need to continue to strive for improvement and greatness, “I worked a lot during the off-season on strength. I am taking time to lift a lot more to get stronger, and I am going to the track so I can improve my speed and quickness.”
When he isn’t playing football, Keshawn stars for Coffeyville as a point guard in basketball. He also runs track for the Tornadoes. Hayes is also actively involved in school culture, as he is a member of the Jag and Indian clubs.
After graduation, Keshawn plans to play football collegiately, with tentative designs to become a Special Education teacher.
