Free State High senior Hiral Bhakta is fast, but he wasn’t rushing this decision.

Bhakta, the school record holder in cross country and a multiple state track qualifier, had a choice between running next year at Kansas University or Kansas State. The Firebird chose the Wildcats, signing a letter of intent Wednesday in the FSHS library to run track and cross country next fall in Manhattan.

“It took me about three months to decide if I would go to K-State or KU,” he said. “I just felt more at home at K-State.”

Though FSHS coach Steve Heffernan ran at KU, he wasn’t about to bash Bhakta’s decision. When Bhakta started at FSHS, he didn’t look like a Div. One runner, but he made himself one.

“Three years ago, his best half (mile) was 2:17, which isn’t bad, but it’s average,” Heffernan said. “With all the work he did, things have happened for him.”

Bhakta is the school’s third D-I signee this year and the city’s seventh, the most Lawrence has had in nearly 10 years. FSHS has produced 22 college track and field athletes, and Bhakta is the program’s second D-I signee in two years. Justin White signed with Wichita State last year.

Bhakta will major in pharmacology and probably focus on the 8,000- and 10,000-meter runs at KSU. Races that long aren’t offered in high school track, which is one reason Heffernan thinks Bhakta can excel in college.

Free State High's Hiral Bhakta, left, is congratulated by Stanley Redwine, center, and Ben Gray. Bhakta signed a letter of intent to run track at Kansas State Wednesday at Free State.

Bhakta’s just stoked to run those races.

“I love the distance,” he said. “If I think I can do it, I’ll be a step ahead of everybody who thinks they can’t.”

Heffernan said the change of scenery would benefit Bhakta the most.

After all, he has seen most of this city.

“He’s run on every road in Lawrence,” Heffernan said. “It might be good for him to scope a new place.”

¢ 6Sports video: Firebirds runner signs with K-State