Post by Chris Moulton on Jan 27, 2010 10:23:55 GMT -5
Several Canadian and U.S. schools were in the running, but Kelowna's Connor Clerke stood firm when it came to choosing the University of Guelph, Ont., for his post-secondary education and athletic career.
"Guelph was always at the top, or near the top of the list, because of the veterinary college there," noted the Grade 12 Kelowna Secondary School student, who will begin training with the cross country and track and field Gryphons in August.
"The fact they have an incredible cross country and track program made the decision a little easier -- although there was a ton of thought and talking with different coaches during the past few months."
Cornell University in New York was a frontrunner among the U.S. schools, while Clerke also seriously considered the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University.
The U-of-G men's cross-country team has won the past four Canadian Interuniversity cross country championships and the women have won the past five. The Gryphons are currently ranked No. 2 in track and field and the women fourth. Two years ago both teams won national titles.
Having that kind of talent in or around the Guelph program was another draw for Clerke.
"Many graduates of the programs are now running internationally for Canada, and are still training at the university and/or the club there," said Clerke. "It will be a big bonus, for sure."
Gryphons coach Dave Scott-Thomas sees his newest recruit as a raw talent with plenty of upside.
"Although he's won a provincial championship and is in the running to add a couple of more in his senior year, he really is untapped," Scott Thomas said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
"Connor's basically trained alone (with three different independent coaches in the past three years), so with the kind of intense, structured team we have here, I really believe there's a lot we can do for him as an athlete."
Clerke won the B.C. School Sports cross country championship in November and added a bronze medal at the B.C. Athletics junior championship while running as a juvenile. He earned a spot at the Canadian junior championships in Guelph, where he met with Scott-Thomas for the first time.
The former Kelowna Track and Field Club member was a bronze medalist in the BCSS 1,500 metres final last year as a Grade 11. He was fourth in the 3,000.
Clerke is expected to run both distances at Guelph.
www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories_local_sports.php?id=239393
"Guelph was always at the top, or near the top of the list, because of the veterinary college there," noted the Grade 12 Kelowna Secondary School student, who will begin training with the cross country and track and field Gryphons in August.
"The fact they have an incredible cross country and track program made the decision a little easier -- although there was a ton of thought and talking with different coaches during the past few months."
Cornell University in New York was a frontrunner among the U.S. schools, while Clerke also seriously considered the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University.
The U-of-G men's cross-country team has won the past four Canadian Interuniversity cross country championships and the women have won the past five. The Gryphons are currently ranked No. 2 in track and field and the women fourth. Two years ago both teams won national titles.
Having that kind of talent in or around the Guelph program was another draw for Clerke.
"Many graduates of the programs are now running internationally for Canada, and are still training at the university and/or the club there," said Clerke. "It will be a big bonus, for sure."
Gryphons coach Dave Scott-Thomas sees his newest recruit as a raw talent with plenty of upside.
"Although he's won a provincial championship and is in the running to add a couple of more in his senior year, he really is untapped," Scott Thomas said in a telephone interview on Tuesday.
"Connor's basically trained alone (with three different independent coaches in the past three years), so with the kind of intense, structured team we have here, I really believe there's a lot we can do for him as an athlete."
Clerke won the B.C. School Sports cross country championship in November and added a bronze medal at the B.C. Athletics junior championship while running as a juvenile. He earned a spot at the Canadian junior championships in Guelph, where he met with Scott-Thomas for the first time.
The former Kelowna Track and Field Club member was a bronze medalist in the BCSS 1,500 metres final last year as a Grade 11. He was fourth in the 3,000.
Clerke is expected to run both distances at Guelph.
www.kelownadailycourier.ca/stories_local_sports.php?id=239393
