Connor Stine Signs with Witchita State to Run Track

 

By Logan Hawker and Josh Eschbach, OHS Torch reporter

                Senior Connor Stine, son of David and DeeDee Stine,  signed his national letter of intent with Wichita State University in Kansas on Friday, April 17^th. Connor signed on to run track, but said he may be doing cross country as well. 
                Wichita State was Connor’s first pick for college. SIU Carbondale and University of Iowa were Connor’s two other options for college. Why did Connor pick Wichita over the other schools? He said, “I liked the coaches better, it was a bit cheaper and had a better track team than other schools.”

                Connor said he will be receiving a partial ride to attend Wichita State. Connor’s dad and Oly track coach, Mr. Stine, said, “Wichita can only give out 12.5 scholarships to fill a 40 team roster.” Connor will be receiving $3000 for track and $6000 for academics.

Connor isn’t completely sure about his college major, but he plans on something in the biology field. Also he plans on completing prerequisite classes for dental school as well.

                Stine’s main focus in college track will be to run the 800. He stated that depending on whether he exceeds standards or not he will move up or down. Currently Connor runs the 800m and 400m in track.

                Connor began his running career track competitively when he was 8 years old, when he joined a summer track club at Illinois Wesleyan.  He ran 5-6 track meets each summer until he was 12, then he joined the Olympia track team.   In 7^th grade, he placed 7^th at State in the 800m run.  In 8^th grade, at State, he placed 5^th in cross-country, 3^rd in 1600m run and 1^st in the 800m run.  As a freshman, Connor was a member of the school record 3200m relay.  In sophomore year, he was a member of the 7^th place 3200m relay at the IHSA 2A state meet.  The same team placed 6^th during his junior year and he place 9^th for the 800m run at state.   His senior year, Connor placed 1^st in the 800m at the Top Times Indoor Championship meet.

                                “I am very excited to begin my journey in track at the collegiate level,” said Connor.