COLLEGE TRACK & FIELD: WAVERLY'S CHANDLER SIGNS TO RUN AT BUFFALO STATE (6 PHOTOS) (2023-10-16)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportWAVERLY — Waverly senior Micah Chandler enjoyed his time on campus, and the coach is a Waverly grad, so he saw Buffalo State as a good fit for his college needs, and signed a National Letter-of-Intent to continue his track & field career there here Friday in a brief ceremony in the high school learning center.
"We have a connection to the head coach there," said Chandler.
"We visited the campus, and we loved it," he added. "It’s an amazing atmosphere, I can’t wait to run there."
Waverly grad Chris Bostwick, who was an assistant coach at Michigan State and Clemson prior to taking the reigns at Buffalo State in the spring of 2022.
Chandler said Bostwick’s presence is part of the reason he chose Buff State.
"To an extent, but it’s not the entire reason I’m going there," he said. "(Buffalo State) had a lot of things in its favor."
Chandler is not positive what he’ll up running at the next level.
"They want to keep me in the hurdles, but I’d like to do more of the open 400, and more individual stuff," he said.
His coach at Waverly, Dave Hogan, has little doubt Chandler will be successful at the next level.
"From Day 1, he’s bought into track & field," said Hogan. "I think he has a willingness to, and I hate to use the term, but suffer for what he loves … and track and field can be really hard.
"(Micah) has been banged up and bruised at big meets, and big-time arenas, and he’s always come back and done a great job — better than we expected.
"He’s a three-time state medalist at this point, and a Section IV record-holder," added Hogan. "I think he sets himself apart with his work ethic and desire to be the best."
Chandler and Hogan both know there are things he needs to work on before (and after) he gets to Buffalo State.
"My block starts definitely need some help," said Chandler.
And how does one improve with block starts.
"You need to study your starts, and critique yourself … be mentally prepared," said Chandler.
"He’ll need to continue to refine the small things," said Hogan. "I think it will be things as small as a block start, or staying clean through a hurdle race, and not getting banged up boy those hurdles along the way.
"I think that will set him apart from the rest of the crew at the next level, too — just the willingness to work on the little things," added Hogan.
Chandler will major in Criminal Justice.
"I’m extremely excited," said Chandler. "I can’t wait."
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IN PHOTOS 1-2: Waverly’s Micah Chandler. IN PHOTO 3: Micah Candler is seated with his mother Michele Johnston. Standing, from left: Caleb Chandler (father), Sam Chandler (stepmother), and Steven Johnston (stepfather). … PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
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