JOYS: Future Bright For Both Athletes

Future Sports Reporter

Doty will someday be ready to trade her ball, glove and bat for a microphone as she plans to pursue a career as a sports reporter but not just yet. Crowder coach John Sisemore thinks Doty can step on the field and have an immediate impact at the junior college level.

“She’s a great athlete. I’ve actually had the chance to be around her for the last seven or eight years. She’s played on our summer ball team. I’ve known her parents for a long time,” Sisemore said. “She’s going to be a great asset for us at Crowder College. I expect her to come in and fight for a starting position. We’re excited to have her and have a player of that caliber come play for us.”

Doty’s maternal grandfather, Jim Fuller, was on hand for the signing and recalls her transfer to Farmington as a junior.

“We were all happy when she came to Farmington. It just felt like the right place. It’s like it was meant to be. Her parents and grandparents are all happy she was here,” Fuller said. “Her going to Crowder will be real nice. Bethany works harder than most people I know. She wants to do everything absolutely perfect.”

Fuller remembers Doty playing baseball until she was 12 pitching against boys who did not want to strike out against a girl and did not want to give up a hit when she came up to bat. Fuller saw that as giving Doty an edge but eventually playing baseball had to give way to softball.

“I think it got her daddy since he’s a baseball coach and she could no longer play baseball,” Fuller said.

Special Memories

Keeling enjoyed Farmington’s winning ways and being part of a team.

“We work together so well because we’ve all grown up together, just traveling together, being together, it’s like a second family,” Keeling said. “Our coaches taught me to never give up. You’ve got to keep trying, pushing yourself. No matter what you do you’ve got to keep your head up and keep trying.”

Keeling’s mother, Debbie, is always well-prepared for occasions such as graduation on May 19 and the signing. One thing she admitted she wasn’t prepared for was the loss at state which eliminated Farmington. Brooklyn said the loss was worse than a bad breakup with a boy.

“I supported Brooklyn cause she was so heartbroken,” Debbie said.

“There’s not really much you can say or do,” said Keeling’s father, Rob. “I was just trying to be there for her. Nothing is more important than that so your family knows they can count on you.”

Debbie said her husband has a really good work ethic which he has instilled within Brooklyn. In turn, Brooklyn thanked her parents and coaches Osnes and Steve Morgan.

“All four of them have pushed me to help me be where I am,” Brooklyn said.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better daughter than Brooklyn,” Rob Keeling said. “She was an easy child to father. You hear about kids getting in trouble, stuff like that. There was never none of that.”

Younger sister, Chloe Keeling, 15, will be a sophomore next fall and has benefited from Brooklyn’s influence.

“She’s never really had to tell me what to do. I just follow by her lead,” Chloe said. “There’s something about her that’s a natural leader that makes you want to follow her.”

Mackenzie Sill, Farmington’s starting pitcher for the majority of the 2015 games, predicted both girls are going to do great things in college and beyond.

“They are both great people, they always turn your bad day into a good one.”