Mission accomplished.

The Free State High senior signed a letter of intent to run track at Kansas University Thursday in the FSHS library. That decision wasn’t lost on FSHS track and cross country coach Steve Heffernan.

“He really likes soccer and he gave that up to pursue this,” Heffernan said. “And I think it’s worked out pretty well.”

Ludwig, who has the state’s fastest prep times in the 800- and 1,600-meter runs, doesn’t begrudge the choice, either. Now, it seems like a no-brainer.

“I haven’t played soccer in a long time,” Ludwig said. “I still like the sport, but I don’t play it anymore.”

Ludwig will focus on middle-distance events at KU under head coach Stanley Redwine, an All-American 800 runner while in college at Arkansas. Ludwig met Redwine a few months ago and said the coach and the school’s proximity were the main reasons for choosing KU over Kansas State and Missouri.

“I just like his coaching ability,” Ludwig said. “With his coaching, I think I can become a great runner from freshman to senior year.”

Ludwig is Free State’s fourth Division One signee this year, and the city’s eighth overall. He’s also the second track signee in the last week, joining teammate Hiral Bhakta, who signed with K-State.

Ludwig’s choice, though, makes it a little easier on Heffernan to watch the runner’s college career.

“It may be a little selfish to want to stay around here and watch him develop and maybe help him as a runner,” Heffernan said. “It’ll probably take about a year of adjustment, but his background’s pretty good. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him have some really fast races next year.”

Plus, with Class 6A regionals today at Shawnee Mission North and state next Friday in Wichita, signing with KU makes it easier on Ludwig to focus on pulling the 800 and 1,600 sweep.

“It’s a big relief,” Heffernan said. “He didn’t say much about it the last few weeks when I asked him about it, but I could tell it was bothering him. Now he’s ready to go.”