Editor’s Note: With the coronavirus outbreak shutting down spring sports, The Republic is featuring senior athletes from Columbus East, Columbus North and Hauser whose final seasons were affected by the decision over the course of the spring.
Seth Chandler was hoping to end his Columbus East athletic career on a great note.
Chandler had aspirations of qualifying for the state finals in track after coming up short last year.
Chandler, like most seniors in the area, won’t ever get the chance to find out if their hopes and aspirations would become a reality due to the COVID-19 pandemic that shut down this year’s spring sports.
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One track event that Chandler hoped for a breakthrough in was the 4×400-meter relay, which the team came up a couple seconds shy of qualifying for the state finals meet.
“Our 4×4 group, we had a bunch of returners coming back,” Chandler said. “We had a really good shot at making it to state in the 4×4 and having a chance to win the HHC (Hoosier Hills Conference).”
While most athletes at East participate in one or two sports in a single year, Chandler was in a rare class, participating in three different sports. He played football in the fall and basketball during the winter, and was an All-Conference defensive end in football.
“Seth was outstanding. You’re talking about your true multi-sport athlete,” East boys track coach Scott Pherson said. “He was going to be instrumental in getting our 4×4 to state. I truly felt like our 4×4, I mean we just missed out on qualifying for state with those guys, and Seth was going to be one of the main dudes. He was crucial, when he got the baton, he was out cut-off guy, he would cut anybody off in the field, he would extend the lead and we would maintain it.”
Chandler started running track in eighth grade, then took a year off and started back up again his sophomore year. He picked up basketball when he was around 5 years old. Prior to attending East, he went to Mount Healthy Elementary School and then Central Middle School.
Chandler came through a family of athletes. His two older sisters, Tayler and McKenna, were sectional and regional champions in volleyball for the Olympians. Following Seth’s footsteps are his younger step-siblings. Sister Caleigh Gill plays volleyball and basketball, sister Emma Gill plays basketball and brother Rory plays basketball.
Even though his last chapter of his high school is now finished, Seth is thankful for his time playing for the Olympians.
“Freshman year, I came in, I was nervous with all the sports going on. I really didn’t know what I was going to do or where I would be put,” he said. “In the weight room, I always met a bunch of guys that helped push me to my limits, and all my coaches would be there to help me and make me become a better athlete overall.”
Pherson said Chandler is going to be missed next year.
“He’s a kid that will do absolutely anything you want,” Pherson said. “He’s a workhorse, and I’m definitely going to miss that. He’s provides a great punch, especially in that 400. That’s a really tough race.”
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Q: Can you describe how you felt when you heard that your season was canceled?
"I was really devastated. I was expected to have a big year, and I was looking forward all year to it. I was talking to (track) coach (Scott) Pherson about how hyped I was for track season."
Q: What is your best memory with the program?
"It would have to be my junior year, when I think it was sectional, and I was on the 4×400 and we made it to regional again. I remember it was three years in a row we made it, so I was pretty hyped up about that, and it made it that much better."
Q: What will you miss most about your school and team?
"Everything! They’re always there for you to cheer you on, and everyone around you if you weren’t feeling good, they’ll be there to pick you up and help push you through."
Q: What lesson(s) did you learn from your time with the program?
"You may not like the event, but you’ll get to like it over time, and if you just keep on pushing yourself and working at it, your times will improve. You’ll overall improve as an athlete."
Q: What are your plans for college or the future?
"I’m going to Indiana State University, majoring in business with a minor in sports management. After college, I’ll probably work around town at a local business with my dad."
Q: What is your final message to the team?
"Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and push me to where I got to and never give up."
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