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Show Page 1 2 September a. 1979 Spoitslocular Championship can do it, made me want to do better, said Keim. Jan has performed on organized girls athletic teams since the fifth grade. It wasnt much after that time that her Mwrhing talents got a little practice also. She was born in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Mike and Dot Keim. The family settled several places for short periods of time and Jan was always doing something to improve her By Keith Duncan They liked it so well, Coach Jan Keim says, theyre going after another one. Winning a state volleyball championship wasnt too bad at all for Keim and her Weber High volleyball crew. The Warriors seem to give every indication theyre ready to bring back that same state playoff fever which thrived a year ago at Weber. Perhaps a state championship would have never been possible without the workings of Keim who begins her fifth year at Weber this fall. The point, as the debator would say, is not to prove what Coach Jan Keim has done in Weber High womens athletics, but to go in depth on how she has done it. Weber is no longer in the deserts of Southern Utah or lying next to the Wyoming or. Idaho border. Women athletic competitors, their fans, and the like know exactly where Weber High is. Thats what a state championship will do for do it, you you. And peering into the future a bit, those same competitors and fans may Just be beginning a rather long acquaintance. Coach Keim begins her fifth year at Weber this fall in womens athletics. Her actions speak for themselves in witnessing the way Weber High girls sports has placed itself on the map. Jan enjoyed the most memorable coaching year of her career last season at Weber. Hie highlight and climax of it all came with the volleyball squad taking home the coveted state championship in volleyball. It wasnt really the fact that we took state that thrills me so much, its the fact of how we did the things we did to win, said Keim. The Warrior coach still has vivid memories of long and grueling practices, team get togethers and the attitude of players with their desire never to quit. Those are the things that continue to thrill me, said Keim. Remembering last years state playoffs, she noted, After we came back on West and won, the girls and I went crazy. We had achieved together and we celebrated together. (The win over West crowed Weber the champion). Mr. (Ted) Campbell, (principal of Weber High) went over to get the trophy because we were all too excited about what we had just (tone. They practically had to drag me over to the trophy. At the time, all it was to us was wood and metal, whereas the genuine trophy to us was the pride in our hearts and what we had proved to ourselves. The fact we were state chamnions or that we had won a trophy meant little to us. Ill never forget those moments as long as I live," said Keim. A natural desire to excell in sports and constant encouragement from her mother are big reasons Coach Keim is where she is today. Always hearing my mom say, 'You can ffoir GCeimm ymrfoiisietalblG athletic skills. With little or no sports programs at Olympus High in Salt Lake City, Jans fast maturing competitive desire was hampered somewhat. In her senior year the family moved to Casper, Wyoming where womens Ugh school athletics were highly popular. As a senior participant, Keim and her teammates captured the state title in both volleyball and track. Individually, Keim was first in the state softball throw and second in the hurdles. She was also a member of the first place 440 relay team. Coach Keim joined the much talked about Utah Shamrocks softball team when she was just a junior at Olympus High. For file next eight years she competed for the team and helped them go to the National Finals every year but one of the eight. After her final year with the Shamrocks and fine four year athletic career at Weber State, Coach Keim began teaching and coaching at South Junior High School. Soon after that, the job. opened at Weber High and she was selected. Coach Keims philosphy of sports has contributed highly to her successful record. So many concepts of life are learned through athletics. Good, honest competition against another human being is vital to us as a race. Sports should teach you to get along with others and the development of patience should naturally come into the picture. I always like to think that team of mine, that has been beaten, has really beaten themselves. Being either mentally or physically not ready is enough to beat anyone," said Keim. To name a most memorable sporting event was difficult for Coach Keim, there have been so many of them. She did however recall the following, One year while playing for the Shamrocks, we found ourselves backed up against the wall. In order to go to the National finals we had to win six games in one day. We won every game except dip final one and lost it 1 That was the oniy year, in the eight 1 played for the team that we didnt go to the Nationals. It was a neat feeling though, to discover we had enough in us to win five of those games. I didnt know our bodies had that much in them. Coach Keim would like to change the old adage which says that the coach makes the players took good. After the championship year we had last season, its the players that make the coach look good, said Keim, At least those kids of mine made me look good. 3-- COACH JAN KEIM returns this season as State Champion coach. the defending Shes out for another title, and why not. 4-- A Give no indication othorwise WfoF Weber High returns as the defending state champion in Womens volleyball ana Coach Jan Keim says Weber returns with a lot less experience than last year, but dont count them out for the state title. No team has ever won back to back state championships in womens volleyball, but if you know Jan Keim, shed like to be the first. Kristen Frazier returns as one of the top players in the state. Her coach describes her as , definite college prospect. Frazier has been a three year starter for the Warriors and has a lot of a-- from respect teammates. her fellow Mae Miya starts her second year on the varsity level. She is short, but a hustler. Coach Keim is pleased with her attitude and likes the way she keeps her head in the game. Janis Hogge, senior, will start varsity for tne first time. She's a hard worker who demands a lot herself. Junior Sharon Bashford, is known first of all for her spectacular saves. She is from asfi to lightening quick and a big asset for Weber. Ann Parsons, junior, is one of the top hitters on the Warriors squad. She is her own coach and here again demands a lot from herself. Denise Garner, junior, is a good hitter who has made tremendous improvement over a year ago. Julie Mumford, is one that Coach Keim calls super soph. She is the only sophomore on the team and is a hard worker who concentrates heavily on good blocking and solid hitting. All in all the Warriors are and . most are young inexperienced. Weber runs a type of offense that doesnt demand a superstar so anything could happen. Webers includes five will help to come Region Everyone dtetandl SsrS D ' slate games which shorten the team pre-seaso- n tough One time. will be out to play their best against us, just oecause were state champions. But weve got a lot of pride in ourselves and know what its like to be a champion, concluded Keim. HERE THEY ARE, the defending state champions. Coach Jan Keim (second from left) eyes game plan along with Janice Hooge, Kristin Frazier and Mae Miya. |