When senior Ethan Fisher began his search for his college choices, he had two things uppermost in his mind.
One, find the right university for his academic career, which included a not-so-end to find curriculum of engineering design technology. And second, to find a school where he felt comfortable pursuing his cross country and track career.
The Garden City High School four-year runner accomplished both of those goals on Monday when he signed an NCAA Division II letter-of-intent to attend Fort Hays State University, a member of the tough Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
“It was a tough decision,” said Fisher early Monday morning after putting his signature on the letter-of-intent with school mates, coaches, and family members looking on in the ceremony at The Garden. “There were a bunch of places with different options. At the end, though, it didn’t seem there was a need to go the junior college route.”
That’s because Fisher will leave Garden City High School with more than 30 college credits, enough to put him into a sophomore class category immediately upon enrolling at FHSU.
“It was just finding the right place for both the academics as well as the athletics,” Fisher said. “I want to do some digital drafting and architecture.”
Fisher said his experience at GCHS both academically and athletically has prepared him for the next level.
“My time here has really helped me grow a lot and I’ve become a better person,” Fisher said. “Coaches (Krista) Linenberger and (Derek) Algraim have helped me reach higher.”
Fisher said that while he considers himself a better runner on the track, he does enjoy the solitude of cross country running.
“There’s different courses to run, and sometimes in track you’re doing the same things day-in and day-out,” Fisher said.
Fisher said the he may take a look at running the steeplechase in college, a track event that includes hurdles and water obstacles. He said several former GCHS athletes were at Fort Hays and he had visited with them about the school, and was encouraged by those who have been there.
He is the son of Brandon and Kim Fisher.
Garden City High School 