By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — East St. John track standout Brandon Mitchell is officially slated to compete at the next level.

Mitchell signed with Mount Olive College in North Carolina after a strong senior season with the Wildcats netted him a scholarship to continue his education and athletic career.

“I’m really excited,” said Mitchell. “I’m really looking forward to taking my talent to the next level and seeing what I can do against that kind of competition.”

Mitchell, who reports to the school this weekend, competed in the 400 for ESJ and on all three relay squads. He has also begun running the 100 and the 200 this summer in preparation for the upcoming collegiate season.

ESJ boys track coach Eleno Rodriguez had nothing but praise for his departing star.

“He’s a fantastic athlete and a really good person,” said Rodriguez. “He was the hardest worker on our team. Brandon made so many gains in every event. With the proper training, there’s a lot that he can accomplish. He’s done so much in the last year here. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Mitchell said that the hard work was necessary to get to this point, as was the coaching of Rodriguez and fellow ESJ coach Mark Creecy.

“(Rodriguez) pointed out a lot of things to me that really helped me better my skills,” he said. “And working with coach Creecy this summer, my times have gone down. Now it’s just time to compete against some new people.”

Mitchell qualified for the outdoor nationals in the 400 and the 4×1 relay, but had to decline due to a conflict with school commitments.

He said that his trip to the school made an impression and that the campus’ location comes with a few perks.

“It’s right down the street from Duke and North Carolina,” he said with a laugh. “I might go to one of those games.”