Eric McKeon – Class of 1993
From the moment Eric McKeon stepped onto the track at Catholic Central, his talent was undeniable. Freshman teammates exclaimed, “he’s floating!” Seniors admitted, “That freshman is faster than us.” Coach Tony Magni cautioned, “He’s going to burn out… He’s crazy with how fast he is going.” But Eric never slowed down.
Eric was a standout for the Shamrocks Track & Field team from 1990 to 1993, while showcasing his versatility on the Cross-Country team in 1991 and 1992. He was named CC’s Most Valuable Track & Field Athlete three times and led the team in scoring at dual meets and invitationals each year. In 1993, he earned the title of Most Versatile Athlete, competing in every running event from the 100 Meter Dash to the 4x800 4x800-meter relay.
He earned 14 All-Catholic honors in Track & Field and 2 in Cross Country, helping CC win Catholic League Championships in Track (1990, 1992, 1993) and Cross Country (1991, 1992). The 1992 Cross Country team also won a Regional Championship and finished Runner-Up at the MHSAA Class-A State Finals. The 1993 Track & Field team won Regionals and placed third at State Finals.
Though Eric never won an individual Catholic League title, he graduated holding or sharing four school records: tying the 200 Meter, owning the 400 Meter, and co-holding the 4x400 and 4x800 Meter Relay records. As a Junior, Eric earned All-State honors in 1992 as a member of the 4x800 Meter Relay team that won the first ever MHSAA State Championship. He would earn All-State honors again in 1993 for the 200 Meter and 400 Meter Dashes. He also placed third in the 400 Meter Dash at the Midwest Meet of Champions, competing against top athletes from Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Eric then had a standout career in track and field for the University of Detroit-Mercy. As of his Induction into the Detroit Catholic Central Athletics Hall of Fame, Eric still holds the Titans’ 4x400 Meter School Record that was set in 1994. He also remains among Detroit-Mercy’s Top 10 Performances List, in the 200 Meter, 300 Meter, 400 Meter, and 500 Meter Dashes, 4x400 Meter Relay, Distance Medley Relay, and 4x800 Meter Relay. Eric was probably the only athlete in Detroit-Mercy history to run the 55 Meter Dash for indoor track as well as the 10K in cross country.
