Orange senior Eddie Harrell realized a dream on Thursday when he committed to continue his education and running career at Division I Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan.
Harrell will run both cross country and track for the Grizzlies.
“It is very exciting to get this decision out the way and continue on with my senior year,” Harrell said. “This whole process can be pretty time consuming missing school with visits and things like that, so now I’m just glad I can enjoy the rest of my year focused on school and track.”
The Grizzlies first began recruiting Harrell last June after he finished sixth in the 800-meter run at the 2018 OHSAA state track and field championships with a time of 1:55.34.
Harrell later visited the school and made his decision.
“When I visited, what really stuck out to me was the closeness of the team, how they always hung out with each and pushed each other at practice to get better,” Harrell said. “I did meet the other athletes on the team at Oakland and just being around them for one day, I can tell that I’ll be able to fit in just like normal.”
Oakland’s coaching staff also contributed to Harrell’s decision.
“What led me to commit to Oakland was the feeling that I had on campus, the relationship I built with the coaches and the athletes on the team,” he said. “They made me feel welcome and I knew this could be home for the next four years.”
Harrell also considered Seton Hill, DePaul, Charleston Southern, Duquesne and the University of Illinois-Chicago before choosing Oakland.
He plans to major in criminal justice with an eye on working in the federal law enforcement field after graduation.
