Sawyer Clarkson Signs with GU Men's XC/TF
12/12/2022 2:54:00 PM | Cross Country, Track and Field
Three-time South Dakota state champion and Two-time All-American
SPOKANE, Wash. — Gonzaga Men's Cross Country / Track & Field Head Coach Pat Tyson announced the addition of South Dakota distance standout Sawyer Clarkson on Monday, with the Belle Fourche native set to join the Zags in Fall of 2023.
Sawyer Clarkson | Belle Fourche, N.D. | Belle Fourche HS
Clarkson is a three-time South Dakota individual state champ, first winning it all as a freshman in 2019 before repeating the feat in 2021 and 2022, the latter of which ended with Clarkson leading Belle Fourche to its first ever conference, regional and state championships all in the same year while notching a personal best of 15:02 in the process. He won an individual state title in the 3200m in 2021 as well, and was twice named an All-American by the South Dakota Cross Country and Track and Field Coaches Association (SDCCTFCA).
"I think a lot of people when they think of a college commitment, they think it's going to be a really hard decision," Clarkson said of his decision to sign a National Letter of Intent last week. "But I think the second I stepped on campus, I realized it was really the right place for me. It's a beautiful place. I love Spokane. I'm a big fan of the Pacific Northwest area. You put all that together with the amazing team and the great coach and it's really everything I could ask for."
Tyson on Clarkson: "Sawyer is my kind of kid — he loves to show up with his lunch pail and get to work. Great values, and committed to being a great student-athlete. Gonna be a good one for the Zags!"
