Friday, December 29, 2000
CNE wrestler making his mark
By Chris Yeager
Enquirer Contributor
Last July, Aaron Keough placed second in the nation at 1821/2 pounds in the USA Wrestling National Championships at Fargo, N.D. The 4-3 loss in the final stays with him.
“I hate losing. I hate it with a passion,” said Keough, a Clermont Northeastern junior. "There's nothing worse than walking out on that mat and giving it your all and getting beat.”
Fortunately, Keough's confrontations with losing decrease each year.
Greg Harmon, an assistant CNE coach, remembers the progress Keough made in his first year of wrestling, back in seventh grade.
“Aaron had a losing record going into the league tournament, but ended up squeaking out two wins. His improvement has just snowballed,” Harmon said, noting Keough was undefeated in his eighth-grade year.
He has shown more signs of improvement early this season.
The Outstanding Wrestler at this year's Coaches' Classic tournament, Keough beat Nick Lukens of Moeller, the area's only defending state wrestling champ, 7-1.
“I'm a takedown guy," Keough said. “I'm not a thrower, though. I like to attack the legs.”
Harmon says Keough finishes his takedowns better this season, and defends them with equally improved skill. Early in their Coaches' Classic match, Lukens came close to scoring takedowns a couple times, but Keough fought him off.
“Unlike a lot of big guys, Aaron keeps moving,” Harmon said.
It can be ironic how often old-fashioned virtues make the difference between excellence and mediocrity. What sets Keough apart, according to Harmon, is his work ethic.
“For a big guy, Aaron just puts in more time,” Harmon said. “He also gets great family support. And Aaron puts in a lot of off-season time, too.”
Family support is a big reason for his success. Along with his father, Max, Keough's mother, Joyce, and two sisters, Ellen and Emma, are always in the stands when Keough wrestles.
"It means so much to know they're there,” Keough said.
When Aaron went to Russia as a member of the USA Cadet team, the whole family went. The same was true for Keough's summer slate, which took the family to Oklahoma as well as North Dakota.
“To be successful as a wrestler, you've got to be able to drive yourself beyond what you think you're capable of,” Keough said.
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