Moniteau senior hurdler Jake Patton, center, signs a letter of intent with Earlham College to continue his academic and track and field career. He is flanked by parents Robert and Sherry Patton.

CHERRY TWP — Jake Patton is headed to Earlham College, where he is being counted on to help elevate the track and field program there.

Before he leaves, he hopes to lower a few track and field records at Moniteau.

A senior hurdler and 4x400 meter relay participant with the Warriors, Patton has his sights set on breaking all three of those school records.

“That's the plan,” he said. “I'm real close in both hurdles and our 4x4 only needs to replace one runner — but that's a pretty good runner.”

Patton ran the 4x400 last season with Steven Fawcett, Manny McLean and Dalton Anderson. The latter is now participating in track and field at Westminster College.

“That relay only missed the record by a couple of seconds last year,” Moniteau coach Pat Rumbaugh said. “We're looking for that fourth runner now.

“There's a few candidates who may be able to help get them there.”

Regardless, Patton is likely headed for a big senior track season. He recently qualified for Sunday's Pennslyvania Indoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles.

He hopes to be in for a strong collegiate career at Earlham, a Division III school in Richmond, Ind.

The Quakers have been struggling in track in recent years. Claire and Rob Hewitt are in their second year as husband-wife co-head coaches with the program, which had only 26 combined male and female athletes last season.

For more about this story, read Tuesday's Butler Eagle.