USC runner to St. Francis
Leckenby to run at St. Francis
The battle down the stretch between Brennon Hill of Penn Hills and Keith Leckenby of Upper St. Clair drew the attention of many at Baldwin High School. It was mid-May and the WPIAL track and field championships were in full swing.
And, although Leckenby finished a scant .19 behind Hill to secure the silver medal and second place in the 400-meter dash, he left the track a winner. St. Francis University offered him an athletic scholarship to continue his career.
And it’s been quite a career. The 19-year-old sprinter went on to participate in his second PIAA championships and graduated with a school record. He is the 60-meter indoor track record holder. Plus Leckenby is tied with others for the best mark in the 100-meter dash with an 11.14 time. He medaled in that race, taking eigth in this spring’s WPIAL championships with an 11.28 showing. Leckenby posted a 49.99 in the 400-meter dash.
“Keith positioned himself as one of the standouts in our district for the 400,” said USC track coach Doug Petrick.
According to assistant coach Terry Jackson, Leckenby has had an “amazing” career at USC. “As a two-time states runner, he has laid the blueprint for success in USC track and field,” he said.
“As a senior captain on the team, Keith will be missed for his leadership and talent,” Jackson added. “We can’t wait to watch him run at the collegiate level and continue to improve.”
In addition to running all the sprints, Leckenby anchored the 4×100 relay team.
Academically, he was a high honor roll student. He will major in business and psychology at St. Francis, which placed third in the NEC outdoor championships and participated in the NCAA ECAC/IC$A championships this spring.
Leckenby is the son of Shari and Keith Leckenby. He has a sister, Lauren, and older brother, Tim.