Ty Seager sets the pace for Wheaton Academy

Ty Seager has all the attributes of an elite soccer player: size, skill and raw ability. He also is naturally fast, obvious in the way he routinely eludes his defenders.

Last spring the Wheaton Academy junior ran organized track for the first time and was an instant success. Just call him the natural. He posted personal bests of 10.97 in the 100 meters and 22.08 in the 200 meters, qualifying for the Class 2A state finals in both events.

Seager finished eighth in the 100 and seventh in the 200.

The experience has made him even more quicker and explosive.

“Track was a great experience, and I’ve seen the results in soccer,” Seager said. “I’ve gotten quicker the first couple of steps and it’s helped me reach my top speed.”

Seager is averaging two goals per game, having already scored 14 for the the No. 8 Warriors (7-0) heading into their second-round PepsiCo Showdown game against St. Viator on Tuesday.

“When there are balls over the middle or over the top, you can always be a step ahead,” Seager said.

The 6-foot West Chicago-native began playing on the varisty two years ago. As a freshman playing with former All-Stater Grant Stoneman, Seager scored seven goals and registered nine assists for a 21-win Wheaton Academy team that finished fourth in Class 2A in 2012.

Last year he scored 29 goals and added nine assists to guide the Warriors to a second consecutive fourth-place finish at the Class 2A state finals.

Seager is a classic difference-maker, a player who has the ability and skill set to elevate the play of his teammates.

“It’s fantastic to have a guy who can take over when the rest of the guys are not playing fantastic, we can rely on him to hold the level up,” Wheaton Academy midfielder Reid Culberson said. “Ty just runs and scores. He’s an unstoppable force.”

Seager remains hard at work at refining and expanding his offensive repertoire, like improving his left-foot and mastering the first touch. He has the size and power to generate considerable velocity on his shot.

“When I get the ball going to the goal, that’s one of my advantages, especially with the speed component and the ball at my feet, that’s something I have a pretty good advantage with,” he said.

Seager comes from a soccer family. His two older brothers, Ryan and Colton, played at Wheaton College. ‘‘I used to play with them in the yard and they used to toughen me up a lot,” Seager said.

His own personality is studious and personable. On the field, Seager is a fierce competitor, Wheaton Academy coach Jeff Brooke said.

“He has a calm composure but a killer instinct to find the net,” Brooke said.