Sean Clarke doesn't settle for second best. With two state pole vault titles and his sights set on a third, the Lyman High senior is used to reaching new heights.
So, when the colleges starting calling (and once the July 1 contact date hit, they did), Clarke wanted to pick the team which could help him continue to raise the bar. And, with his recent commitment to the University of Pennsylvania, he knows he's found the right fit.
"What really stood out about UPenn was the very tight bonds between all the different track team members and also the obvious enthusiasm of their jumps Coach Joe Klim," Clarke said. "After my visit and really being able to envision myself as a Penn athletes I decided that it was the right place for me."
Clarke, who also took official visits to the Air Force Academy and Princeton, said visiting the campus cemented his image of what life competing as a Penn Quaker would be like, an image he liked.
While Penn's track program is more up-and-coming than powerhouse, Clarke says he looks forward to helping the team reach a higher level. And, it's not as if the program is without a rich history; the Quakers practice and compete at Franklin Field, Penn's 120 year-old athletic complex and home of the Penn Relays.
"I am really excited to see what I can accomplish under a much more rigorous and structured training programs at a college level because I believe physically it will make a significant difference," he said. "I also really hope to be able to help UPenn as an up and coming team to work towards the team goals they have set out before them."
As the 2014 and 2015 4A pole vault state champion, Clarke still has big plans entering his final year of high school track. In addition to improving on his PR of 15-7 en route to a third individual title, Clarke hopes to lead the Greyhounds to the team title as well. In 2015, they were runner-up to Dr. Phillips, 46-56.
"The thing that would mean the most to me this year would be a team state title," he said. "I believe even without our thrower from states last year we have a few underclassmen who are set for a great season and if we put everything together and execute how we need to that title is within our grasp."
More than anything, though, Clarke wants the 2016 season to be one of improvement which will help him leap successfully to the collegiate level.
"Beyond just titles I really want to just go after some higher heights this year and hopefully get used to jumping on another level to be ready for college next year."
