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http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2011/1...51967460530.txt

Emotional Reunion

Omegia Keeys shows her book Saturday to her former coach, Bennie Edwards. Photo by Tim Moran
Amid book signing, former Elston track star sees coach for first time since 1993
By Tim Moran
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, October 30, 2011 5:07 PM CDT
MICHIGAN CITY — There was nothing but smiles on the faces of Omegia Keeys and Bennie Edwards at Sophia’s House of Pancakes on Saturday afternoon.

Although Keeys did have a few tears running down her cheek, her run-in with Edwards at the local eatery was a heartwarming reunion.

Keeys, a Michigan City born author and former Elston High School track star, and Edwards, her high school coach and mentor in the early 1990s, were speaking to each other in person for the first time since 1993, the year Keeys graduated and began running track at Indiana State University.

Saturday’s reunion was part of a book signing where Keeys, who now lives in Indianapolis, returned to her home town to sign copies of her latest book, “Rise and Fall of a Track Star.”

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“It is so wonderful to see Benny come back and to see the two of them together,” said JoAnn Johnson-Campbell, Keeys’ mother.

Edwards and Keeys took a few minutes, after an emotional hug, of course, to look through an old scrapbook of photos from their days with the Elston track team.

“It is so great to see him,” Keeys said. “It has been way too long.”

A proud Edwards could only smile when speaking of his 1991 state champion in the 400-meter dash.

“It is truly a blessing to hear and know about all her accomplishments,” Edwards said. “It is very enlightening to me to see her become a fantastic author and successful writer.”

It wasn’t just Edwards who came to see Keeys, now the author of six books. Her friends, family and a number of former teammates were on hand as she signed and sold copies of her newest work.

“It’s a great day to be back home,” the author said. “People have come in that I have not seen since high school.”

“Rise and Fall of a Track Star,” which can be purchased online at Amazon.com and other sites, is an emotional tale of how Keeys never gave up on her goals despite being a victim of a rape at 16 that led to the birth of her son.

Other works by the former stellar athlete include ones centered on preventing bullying and peer pressure.

“They are all for good causes,” Keeys said.

Edwards also was reunited with Keeys’ sister, Teresa Brown, who ran at Elston in the 1980s and qualified for the state tournament three times in the 200- and 400-meter dash events.

“It’s great to have the whole family here,” Johnson-Campbell said.