Anchorage Daily News

When Jordan Clarke and Andrea Crook roam the hallways of Bartlett High School today, don't be surprised to see them daydreaming of places far balmier than here.

Click to enlarge

Jordan Clarke

Click to enlarge

Andrea Crook

Click to enlarge

Carly Butcher

Story tools

Comments

E-mail a friend

Print

Digg this

Seed Newsvine

Send link via AIM

Font size : A | A | A

That's because next fall, the two track and field athletes are headed to Division I schools in warmer climes, where they can train outside year-round.

Today, Clarke will sign a national letter of intent to throw for Arizona State and Crook will sign a letter to run track for the University of Arkansas during a ceremony with their families and peers at Bartlett.

Back in November, when Clarke visited Tempe, Ariz., for the first time, a warm breeze off the desert was all it took to hook the 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior who holds state records in the shot put and discus.

"I might go California-surfer," he joked.

Other than fun in the sun, Arizona State's throwing program lured Clarke, who plans to redshirt his freshman year so that he can get stronger and adapt to heavier college shots.

He said college shots weigh four pounds more than the 12-pounders in high school.

As the 2007 Anchorage Daily News Boys Prep Athlete of the Year for track and field and football, Clarke chose throwing over the pigskin in college for one reason. He wants to be an Olympian.

He will have turned 22 just before the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

"I have a passion for throwing," said Clarke.

His new teammate at Arizona State, redshirt freshman Ryan Whiting, was fourth in the shot put at the NCAA championships last year with a 63-foot, 7-inch toss.

"That guy's a monster," Clarke said. "He benches 500 (pounds)."

Crook, meanwhile, is a talented sprinter joining an elite track and field team. The Razorbacks are winners of 19 indoor and 12 outdoor NCAA national championships.

State record holder in the 400-meter run (57.14 seconds run in 2006), she gained exposure to college recruits with help from Anchorage's Andre Toliver of College Prospects of America, Inc.

Toliver put her profile along with a video online. He said it helped Crook match up physically and academically with other high school recruits.

"She probably would have gotten something on her own," Toliver said, "but this helped colleges physically see her."

Bartlett activities principal Josh Green said today will be a special day for Clarke and Crook. He believes it's the first time two Golden Bears athletes have gone Division I in track in the same year.

"It's been a good year for Bartlett," Green said.

GIRLS SOCCER

Butcher joins national titlist USC

Carly Butcher is also leaving Alaska for a warmer place.

A mid-center for the South Wolverines, Butcher will sign a national letter of intent today at her home to play Division I soccer for the University of Southern California.

"It was the overall package there," Butcher said.

The Trojans won their first NCAA national championship in December and finished 20-3-2 under first-year coach Ali Khosroshahin.

Butcher, who finished with 11 goals and 15 assists for the Wolverines last season, said she plans to study physical therapy.

Here's a list of other soccer players signing letters today:

• Stephanie Wettin, South, King College (Tenn.), NAIA;

• Maggie McGuire, West, University of San Diego, D-I;

• Megan McGuire, West, Washington State; D-I;

• Kyra Helin, West, Kansas Wesleyan University, NAIA;

• Alison Oien, Chugiak, Colorado School of Mines, D-II.

FOOTBALL

Rosario signs with North Dakota

Chugiak's Ian Rosario will sign a national letter of intent to play for the University of North Dakota.

The 315-pound all-state offensive tackle said he earned a full-ride scholarship to the Division I-AA program of the Great West Conference.

Chris Kuper, a former Dimond lineman who now plays in the NFL for the Denver Broncos, played his collegiate football at North Dakota.

Kuper's high school coach was Duncan Shackelford, who now coaches at Chugiak.

"Coach Shack put in a good word for me," Rosario said.

Find Kevin Klott online at adn.com/contact/kklott or call 257-4335.

ADVERTISEMENT