FAYETTEVILLE -- Blake Young started his path to attend a top academic university in the country as soon as possible in his educational development.
Once he arrived at high school, he realized his Ivy League dreams could also be paired with some newfound goals on the track and field as well.
Young, a senior at Fayetteville who has emerged as the top shot put and discus thrower in Class 7A over the past two seasons, had both education and athletic goals merge into one Wednesday when he signed a letter of intent with Harvard University during a ceremony held at Bulldog Arena.
"I feel like this is going to be a great opportunity to build a great future," Young said. "This is like a dream come true."
Young won both the shot put and discus state titles at the Class 7A state meet as a junior, throwing 53 feet, 9 inches in the shot put finals and 155 feet in the discus for the double title. He was named Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette Track and Field Athlete of the Year last year, and now sets his sights on another big finish to this outdoor season before heading off to compete for the Crimson.
"Hopefully I can break the school records for both shot put and discus," Young said. "Upper 160s for discus and in the 60s for shot. That's my goal."
Tyler Davis also knows about championship level success, as he and Kaid Hurd guided the Fayetteville boys cross country to its first state championship in 29 years. Davis signed his letter of intent Wednesday with Arkansas-Little Rock.
"I wanted to stay close to home, close to my family and my friends," Davis said. "I knew a lot of my teammates would compete around Arkansas, so if I went to UALR I could always come home on the weekends.
"I know UALR is getting there. They're like we've been here (at Fayetteville). They just need a deeper set of guys."
Hurd signed with Arkansas-Fort Smith on Wednesday.
In girls basketball, a trio of seniors who helped Fayetteville to a Class 7A state championship in the 2014-15 season signed on Wednesday. Pink Jones, an all-state selection this season and twin sister Blu Jones, signed with Henderson State. Classmate DaShundra Morgan, an all-conference selection this season, signed with Kansas City Community College.
"When they came in as sophomores that's when things changed for me, as far as wins and losses," Fayetteville girls basketball coach Vic Rimmer said. "They won back-to-back conference championships, they won a state championship. They didn't lose a home conference game in three years. That just tells you what type of players they are.
"Their bodies, their ability to get up and down the floor just translate to college basketball. All three of them have areas to work on but they're going to programs where they're going to have a chance to have a success and I know they will."
Along with Young, Caleb Cooper and McKenzie Penne from the Fayetteville track and field team signed with Pittsburg State.
In girls soccer, Hannah Davis signed with Hendrix.
"Hannah is one of the top defenders in the state," Fayetteville coach Joe Thoma said. "She helped us get to the state finals last year and she'll hopefully help us get back there again this year."
Garrett Owens, one of Fayetteville's top hitters in the baseball lineup this season, signed Wednesday with Oklahoma Wesleyan. Owens has emerged this season to lead the Bulldogs in hitting with a .396 batting average.
Sports on 04/14/2016