On track for more success
KARNSCITY — Chris Harmon might have been remembered as a high schooler who went for it all — and got it.
The Karns City senior is headed to Robert Morris University on a track and field scholarship, but he easily could have played soccer or run cross country in college as well.
Harmon also played three years of varsity basketball and is ranked sixth in his class academically, sporting a 3.97 grade-point average. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.
"I love that kind of kid,"said KCboys track coach Don Black. "He's proof that a kid can excel in a lot of areas, in and out of the classroom, if he puts forth the effort."
Harmon certainly has done that. The only reason he didn't play basketball his senior season is that he had rotator cuff surgery Nov. 16.
Despite shoulder problems, he had 18 goals for the boys soccer team last fall — he scored 66 in four years — but it slowed his progress this track season.
"I'm not running at 100 percent yet, but we're close to the school record in the (3,200-meter relay),"Harmon said. "We're seconds away. Hopefully, we'll get it at the state meet."
Harmon runs the anchor leg of the 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays for the Gremlins. The quartet's time of 8 minutes, 34 seconds is less than five seconds off the school record.
Harmon set the school record of 1:56.9 in the 800 meters last year.
"I chose to compete in track in college because it's my best sport,"he said. "I'm going to train with the cross country team in the fall and maybe run in a couple of meets, but indoor and outdoor track will be my main focus."
Robert Morris finished fourth in the Northeast Conference meet this spring. Michael Smith is in his eighth year as the Colonials coach and his athletes have set or broken 182 school records during his time there.
Smith also has coached 48 individual NECchampions and five NCAAqualifiers.
"(Smith's) going to have an open spot on the 4x800 relay next year and he wants me to fill it,"Harmon said. "I'm going to train hard all summer and keep getting better."
Harmon plans to compete in numerous road races this summer, including the Butler Road Race.
"He's a tireless worker,"said KCassistant track coach Renee Steele. "He's dedicated. He puts his time in, and it's paying off for him."
Harmon will room with one of his best friends next fall: former Gremlins teammate Travis Hendell, who will be a sophomore on the Colonialstrack team.
"Travis and I ran together for three years in high school,"Harmon said. "I know him well and he'll help me get acclimated to things, I'm sure."
Former Karns City soccer and track athlete Ryan Parker recently graduated from Robert Morris as well.
Harmon becomes the fifth Karns City boys track performer to get a Division I scholarship during the past five years. Ian Ferguson and Brian Reed went on to the University of Pittsburgh.
