PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles High School running star Jack Gladfelter has already accomplished much in his athletic career.
And it’s just beginning to hit high gear.
The record-setting runner for the Roughriders signed a letter of intent Friday to run both track and field and cross-country for Corban University, a private Christian liberal arts school in Salem, Ore.
Gladfelter’s friends, family and coaches all spoke not only about his athletic achievements, but his leadership skills and faith. Many people spoke about what a great leader and cheerleader he is for the Roughriders.
“This is a great day just to be here and celebrate Jack’s decision,” said his father Joe Gladfelter.
Jack Gladfelter signs to attend and run track and cross country for Corban University in Salem, Ore., as his niece Wren Pond watches. (Pierre LaBossiere/Peninsula Daily News)
Gladfelter is part of an ongoing connection between Port Angeles and Corban. Gracie Long, a distance runner and state track champion for the Riders several years ago, attended Corban and recommended that the school contact Gladfelter. Taking her advice, Corban and Gladfelter got together and the rest is history.
“We heard about Jack from Gracie,” said Corban distance coach Stuart Eagon. “She said there’s this guy in Port Angeles who is really fast.”
Eagon said Long was the first female distance runner at Corban to be an All-American. She finished sixth at the NAIA nationals and he was excited about what Gladfelter could accomplish at the school.
“He’s a very, very fierce competitor, but not only that but he’s kind and joyful. It’s going to be cool for the next couple of years to see what happens,” Eagon.
Retired Port Angeles track coach Bob Sheedy keeps track of the school’s track record. Gladfelter broke the school’s 5K cross-country record last year, then several days later broke his own record. He ended up finishing third at the state 2A cross-country meet, the highest any Port Angeles runner has finished.
Gladfelter also finished fifth at the state track meet last year in both the 1,600 and the 3,200 and has serious designs this spring to win a state track championship in a distance event. Sheedy called Gladfelter the best distance runner in Port Angeles history.
“And I don’t just say that because I like him,” Sheedy said.
“Corban is a great fit for you,” Sheedy said. “They took care of Gracie. Corban made a great choice. He’s going to do wonders for you.”
Port Angeles assistant track coach Greg Geyer talked about Gladfelter’s spirit.
“The best part of Jack is when he’s running and he’s in the zone is his smile,” Geyer said.
Port Angeles High School Principal Tanner Zahrt said there just aren’t a lot of kids like Jack who make people feel better, even adults. “He’ll say to you ‘how’s your day?” And that made my whole day. It really did,” he said.
Gladfelter thanked all of his friends and family and said he couldn’t have accomplished what he did without their support. He echoed other speakers who said “God has a hand in all of this.”
Gladfelter said his goal for the spring is to win a state championship. “Either in the 1,600 or the 3,200. One or the other. Both would be nice,” he said.
Not only did Gracie Long recommend Gladfelter to Corban, he said that she also talked to him about Corban at the North Olympic Discovery Marathon. Helping Gladfelter make the decision is the fact that he has a friend, Noah Andres, already attending Corban. Andres made the trip up from Salem to attend Gladfelter’s signing.
Gladfelter also likes the fact that Corban isn’t too far from “Tracktown USA” — Eugene, Ore.
After the state track meet, Gladfelter also plans to compete in the all-invite Brooks PR at the University of Washington and the Nike Outdoors in Eugene, both set for June. Last year, Gladfelter finished third at the 2-mile at the Nike Nationals.
