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WILLIAMSTOWN -- Malachi Stewart is ready to take his next step in life, but he's not rushing his last track and field season at Williamstown High School.
The Yellowjacket senior officially signed last month to compete for Division II Mountain East Conference member West Liberty University and head coach Justin Simpson.
"When I was looking at colleges I decided to take a visit at West Liberty," said Stewart, whose final choices came down to the Hilltoppers, Davis & Elkins and the University of Charleston.
"I fell in love with it at first sight. It's like a homish town, really small, nothing to do. That's what I want. I want to focus on my academics in college. I don't want too many distractions."
Stewart, who was a member of the WHS back-to-back Class A state cross country championship teams, said his first visit was W.Va. Wesleyan, but he opted to bypass that option after the head coach left.
Jill Bryant, the athletic director at Williamstown who stepped down from her head boys track coaching duties but is still an assistant for Larry Cassidy, is anxious to see how Stewart performs this spring.
"He's looking forward to getting into the 300 hurdles this year," Bryant said. "Hopefully, he will fill in some spots on sprint relays. It will be nice to see what he can do healthy.
"He was not really healthy for most of the season last year and I know he was discouraged about that. He's a super nice, respectful kid and is hard working. He leads by example."
An 'A' student in the classroom, Stewart plans to major in exercise science and then continue his education into physical therapy school.
"Last year I got injured and I was only able to run three to five meets," said Stewart, who is rooming with St. Marys' Braden Hashman. "I hurt my ankle and was out for about half the season. It was not fun. Setbacks are OK as long as you have a good mindset and come back from it.
"Then, it shouldn't be in your way. Setbacks help you. Once you have a setback you learn from it and then you have to figure out what you have to do better. It's all a process. People say practice makes perfect, but practice makes progress."
A member of the speech and debate club, Stewart also participates in the concert and jazz band. The musician said he sometimes performs with the Williamstown strings and also attends City Bible Church.
"You got to treat it like a job," said the Yellowjacket of college. "You got to show up and put in the work. It takes a lot of discipline. It's hard at times, but you got to keep pushing through. I know that it's going to be a big change for me, but I'm ready for that. I'm ready for anything that comes my way.
"I'm just prepared and ready. I would like to thank by Lord and Savior because without him I wouldn't be the man I am today and be in the position I am in. I want to thank my parents for always being there for me and letting me be the person I want to be, and I thank my teammates and coaches."
Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com