On May 20, 2015, Springfield seniors Chris Stone and Sean Stovall were recognized at a special signing celebration for committing to compete in track at the collegiate level. To view photos of the news conference, please visit the Photo Gallery at the following link: http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/052015_signings_15_mjs#l__mg_2764_59_19_3
Chris Stone – Auburn University (Track & Field)
Major: Physical Education
Final list of colleges: Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi State, Penn State
Reasons for choosing Auburn: “Great weather, facilities and tradition/rivalries.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in track and field at the collegiate level? “There was a huge progression in the last three weeks of sophomore season. I came away with two state silvers and an eighth place (medal). I then emailed over 80 D-1 colleges from the SEC, Big 10, PAC-12, ACC, Big-12 and more. When I got a return in interest from 60-plus, I knew it was real.”
Coach Chris Mazurek says: “We knew what we were getting when Chris decided to come to Springfield out of eighth grade into ninth grade. His older brother was an outstanding middle distance and distance runner and a good athlete, and he chose to go to La Salle where his dad was a volunteer coach. His dad Brian is not only the DNA but the brains behind Chris’s success. His older brother going to La Salle and training with coach (Pat) Devine and coach (Greg) Bielecki had an outstanding career in the middle distance and distance races. Chris, who is a different kind of athlete from his brother, came to Springfield and really enabled and allowed and supported that relationship with his dad and all the coaching skills – his father is just a genius, and he’s so technically perfect and advanced. Chris has that too. He’s got that keen sense to all of the technicalities, and he can make some subtle adjustments. They can skill and drill during the week and save all of their big jumps for big meets on a weekend maybe a few times a season. They’re real down to earth, and they have a great perspective.
“Chris was at practice with the Springfield team probably as much as he was at practice with his dad at different venues and sites wherever they were going to meet. Chris ran on some relays with us, Chris ran in some open events. I shouldn’t say he hasn’t scratched the surface yet, but he’s made some amazing marks, set about five school records and was close to a sixth. If he had about two more weeks and three fewer events at the end of this spring season, he would have broken another one of Sean Jackson’s records in the 110 hurdles. His name would have been all over that record board – 25 year-old records sitting there and some older. He is a great kid, he’s a terrific student, and we’re so excited that he’s going to a big program like Auburn University in the SEC with a strong tradition in track and field and all sorts of athletes. Chris is a great student. He can do anything from physics to art. I don’t think right now walking in he knows what he’s going to do, but he’ll find out, and it will all support his athletic career there too.”
About Chris:
Favorite food: Hot Wings
Favorite movie: Without Limits
Favorite music: Kygo
Sean Stovall – Widener University (Track & Field)
Major: Early Childhood Education
Final list of colleges: Widener, Shippensburg, West Chester
Reasons for choosing Widener: “Widener was my number one choice – (I chose Widener for) the good academics they supply, the great track team and the great coach they have too (Coach Vince Touey).
What was the progression that led you to competing in track at the collegiate level? “I started running track my freshman year and began to progress each year. By the time I got to my junior year, I received letters from many different colleges. I went on visits and felt like Widener would be a good school for me.”
Coach Chris Mazurek says: “Sean Stovall is going to Widener, and I know he’s very excited about that. Sometime late winter or early spring he made that decision, and he has some nice connections there. It’s a program that I think fits his skills set and will allow him to continue to develop. He’s certainly been an all-star for our team over the last three years since he was a sophomore. He’s been a kid that’s been really discovering himself as a runner and really learning to love running. Sometimes with a kid like that you’re afraid of pushing too hard and making them sort of turn their back a little bit.
“He played basketball his senior winter – not because he was getting pushed out but because he’s an athlete. He loves to play, and I welcomed that. I thought it was great. He trained the last two years with his private coach, and he welcomed that. It just made us change up a little bit from being a long distance runner to the middle distances. That worked out fairly well. He’s really been on a tear since the track season. He’s been continuing with the club teams in the summer and has made PRs in almost everything he’s run. I know his brightest performances are ahead of him. He’s just got to learn to love running and put the miles in. He’s been a great contributor to the team for all four years but especially for the last three.”
About Sean:
Favorite food: Chicken Steak
Favorite movie: Space Jam
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Rap (Jay-Z and Drake)
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