Valley’s Bo Crabtree (front, center) signs his letter of intent to throw at Kent State. Pictured with Crabtree are his mother Margaret, left, and his father Craig, right. Behind them from left are throwing coach Jason Dunham, athletic director Bob West and coach Darren Crabtree.
The Indians' top thrower in shot put and discus signed a letter of intent Thursday to become a member of Kent State's track team.
Crabtree said the Kent State coaches were a part of his decision to join the program.
"The coaching staff was very oriented toward the same goal," Crabtree said. "And the competition level is very good at Division I."
The Golden Flashes are no strangers to success in track and field. Kent State's men won the Mid-American Conference Indoor Track championship back in February.
Kent State's facilities include a six-lane 292-meter Mondotrack. Mondotrack is the same track surface that was used at the Beijing Olympics.
Crabtree may continue to throw shot put and discuss in college, but he was recruited as weight thrower. He will redshirt next season, giving him time to acclimate to the heavier weights at the college level.
Crabtree's best throws have been 148-feet with the discus and 53-2 with the shot put. He has thrown the weight at a distance of 62 feet, good for 21st in the nation.
Crabtree's throwing coach, Jason Dunham, is confident that the 2008 State Placer will succeed.
"I think he brings an exceptionally great attitude and in my opinion he has yet to reach his full potential," Dunham said. "In a college setting I think he will thrive.
Crabtree's brother, Aaron Crabtree, is on the Ohio State track squad, also in throwing events.
"(Aaron) gave me a lot of pointers," Bo Crabtree said. "He is probably the No. 1 fan of mine."
Bo said he considered Ohio State, and said that the Buckeyes offered a position, but wanted to make his own name.
"I feel like Kent State will allow me to get to my next goal, which is the Olympics," he said.
He also expressed thanks God, his coaches, his brother and his parents.
JOHN STEGEMAN can be reached at jstegeman02@hotmail.com
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