Commitment Announcement
Countdown: Huskies add Homegrown Blue Chip Stewart
by
Ali Jones, 10 April 2014
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An elite athlete and a sports fan, Mitch Stewart loves a good fight.
Speaking of the near blowout of his hometown Seattle Seahawks over the Denver Broncos in the 2014 Super Bowl, he said, "It would have been more special if it was a closer game."
Stewart, blue-chip recruit from Federal Way, Washington, and owner of five USTA balls, is legendary for his patience, speed, mental toughness and willingness to be on the court for as long as it takes to win a match.
He loves the battle.
"I guess I have a lot of patience," Stewart said with a smile.
That, along with his endurance and thirst for competition, will be tested in the Fall of 2014, when he officially joins Head Coach Matt Anger's University of Washington Huskies. He signed his National Letter of Intent in November 2013.
As Stewart went through the college application process and the best route to his development as an elite collegiate athlete, he looked at UCLA, Georgia, Alabama and Washington.
"Alabama was a close second," he said of his school choices. "But I've always been a big fan of the University of Washington. My parents are big fans. I just kinda grew up a Husky fan."
Having traveled the country for tennis tournaments, the easygoing Stewart had no problems packing up and moving elsewhere, but the full ride that Coach Anger offered was irresistible.
"What they offered me so early was just too good to pass up," he said. "And I love the school, I love the campus, and I already know the city."
His adjustment to college life will be almost flawless, as he grew up playing junior tennis against the locals on the team. Home is only 40 minutes away.
"Most of them are from Washington, so hopefully we can draw a big crowd," Stewart said.
"I'm ecstatic about signing Mitch and Jake [Douglas]," said Coach Anger in November. "With the way these two work and compete, the sky is the limit for us during their careers here at Washington."
"I think that both Mitch and I have been counting down to this day for a long, long time," said Anger. "He already bleeds purple. His strengths are off the charts and without putting any pressure on him, I believe he is going to have an incredible collegiate career."
