A Pasco county cross country coach goes the extra mile for his team. Kris Keppel has coached at Land O’ Lakes High School for the past 21 years. But this year is different for the coach.

Keppel is battling pancreatic cancer. In spite of surgery and chemotherapy treatments, student Tyler White says, his coach is there every step of the way.

“He’s a true hero to me,” White said. “He comes to practice every day even after he does chemo and he bikes right beside us and encourages us every step of the way.”

The 53-year-old coach can’t run with the team anymore, so he pedals alongside. Keppel was diagnosed last September. The cancer is now stage four.

“I try to remain positive,” Keppel said. “ Being with the team is their inspiration to me. We work together as a team. It’s not this thing is Coach Keppel. It’s Coach Keppel and the team.”

Land O' Lakes went all the way to state finals last year. The runners didn’t think Coach Keppel would be able to make it because of treatment. But Keppel was there for them, with an IV bag attached to his hip.

“I get up at 6 a.m.," Keppel said. "I have my breakfast. You know, sometimes I have some cramping going on. But I know the team’s waiting for me. At 7 a.m., I need to be there for them.”

The team is raising money to help offset some of Coach Keppel’s medical expenses. Five-hundred shirts have sold so far. Keppel says, the support keeps him going.

“I’m just going to keep pushing on with the support that I have with family and friends and the runners. I’m going to do my best to be here for as long as I can,” Keppel said.