Chandler Stewart is fired up about the opportunity to run in college.
Stewart, a senior for Siloam Springs' boys track team, signed a letter of intent to run at the University of Ozarks in Clarksville on Tuesday afternoon.
Stewart said he plans to participate in the 800-meter run for sure, but there are also chances of him being on a 4x800-meter relay and a 4x400-meter relay.
"I'll mainly be focusing on the 800 meters," Stewart said. "I enjoy it. Of all the races, it's my favorite one to run and I'm the best at it. Coach says we'll be working at it. I'll just put my heart into it and do my best."
Stewart's time in the 800 meters got better as the season went on, according to Siloam Springs head boys track coach Chuck Jones.
"I feel like he sort of had a breakthrough (in) the 800 meters," Jones said. "He went from a 2:17, to all of the sudden he's running a 2:08, 2:07, then he got to 2:06.99 and so when he ran that, he got real excited about running the 800."
Stewart was also the anchor leg of the Panthers' 4x800-meter relay that finished third at the Class 6A state meet at Lake Hamilton on May 5.
"I think probably his best thing was that he was a leader for us on our relays," Jones said. "The boys two-mile relay wound up finishing third at state. He was our anchor on that and a big part of that. He's an outstanding young man, and again, (head girls coach) Sharon (Jones) and I are just excited anytime a young man or young lady gets to pursue college and do something that they love to do."
Stewart said he's looking forward to the opportunity.
"I'm really excited," he said. "I'm excited to work with my new coach, my new teammates."
One of those new teammates will also be a former teammate as former Siloam Springs track standout Aaron Capehart is transferring to the University of the Ozarks. He and Stewart plan to be roommates next fall.
"That will be really fun," Stewart said.
Sports on 05/21/2017