- Order Now!!! VYPE Oklahoma Announces the 2020 Pigskin Preview
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Track Athlete Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, Wicker (Poll Ends 5/11)
- VYPE Magazine Announces the Shelter Insurance Mr. & Miss Basketball Oklahoma Award Winners – Bryce Thompson & Aaliyah Moore
- VOTE NOW! Which North OK Area Slowpitch Softball Player Should We Feature Next? – Presented by Law Firm of Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle, Wicker (Poll Ends 4/24)
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Mannford's Keeli Welden – Indian Electric Cooperative's Spotlight Athlete
- Updated: February 1, 2019
By Ryan Stone
The Mannford spotlight is on junior girl’s basketball star Keeli Welden. Keeli has helped lead the Lady Pirates to a 7-6 overall record and a 4-2 district record so far this season. Welden leads Mannford in several categories including averaging 13 points per game and six rebounds per game. She has also taken on a leadership role this season.
“In practice I try to keep us up-tempo and going hard throughout practice and on game day it’s getting our minds right in the locker room and pumped up to play and during games I try to keep our minds right and, in the game,” said Welden.
Mannford lost three seniors from last year’s team, which meant Welden needed to step up.
“With us losing three seniors, I knew I needed more confidence,” said Welden, “and the coaches have told me this is my year and I need to step up and that really motivated me.”
According to Welden her and Mannford’s goals for this season are all about improvement. They hope to make it to the area for the first time with this group of players and improve on last season’s 13-12 record. Welden also wanted to improve on a lot individually as well.
“I really wanted to limit my turnovers and score my points than last year, and I’ve done a good job of that so far. I stay after practice to work on my shooting and ball handling and really think that’s helped me a lot,” said Welden.
While she’s starring on the basketball court Welden also plays softball, golf and soccer at Mannford High School. She plays second base in softball and says it’s her best sport. Welden has only been playing golf for two years but has made it to the State Tournament in both her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Welden is also a star in the classroom with a 4.0 grade point average and is involved in several clubs at Mannford. She participates in Pirates Making a Difference, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Student Council and Leadership Council.
Welden definitely had it right when they said it was her time to shine.
