Bainbridge High School Bearcats cross-country and track distance runner Chase Harris signed a national letter of intent Friday with Maryville University in Saint Louis, where he will compete in both sports.

Looking on as he signed in the Bainbridge High School gymnasium hospitality room were Harris’s parents Lee and Julie Harris, his brother Caleb Harris his cross-country coach Yvette Greene, his track coach Larry Cosby, Greg Waddell, who coached him in both sports, Bainbridge High School principal Tommie Howell, his track coached Tandria Phillips and Harold Smith.

At Maryville, which is a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference, he will compete in both the indoor and outdoor track seasons.

Greene and track coach Cosby both praised Harris for his strong academic and athletic achievements.

“Chase is a scholar athlete, a team leader and a dedicated runner who you can always count on to turn in strong efforts,” Greene said.

Cosby added, “Chase holds the Bainbridge High School record in the mile and two mile runs. He is an outstanding competitor and a true champion.”

Harris, who missed the fall cross-country season due to a groin pull, said he would be completely healed and ready to go for the Bearcats track team in the spring.

After Friday’s signing, Harris expressed his appreciation to a lot of people who supported him along the way.

“So many people allowed me to have opportunities that I wouldn’t exposed to otherwise,” he said. “I would like to thank my family, my cross-country and track coaches and anyone else who helped me along the way.

In 2013, Harris set the school record in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 30.38. He was on the Albany Herald’s All-Area boys cross-country team in 2012. He set the school record in the 3200-meter run with a time of 9:3805.