Local standouts officially commit to college programs
Camryn Irwin has been an Oregon Duck for less than 24 hours, and already she is in the doghouse.
Irwin, a senior setter from Prairie, signed a letter of intent to join Oregon’s volleyball program Wednesday afternoon, a little later than the Ducks anticipated.
She said Oregon coach Jim Moore seemed a little worried when they chatted on the phone.
“He said, ‘Where’s your contract? You’re the only one who hasn’t turned it in,’ ” Irwin recalled. “I wasn’t expecting to get in trouble, but I did.”
This was not a case of cold feet. Irwin said yes to Oregon 13 months ago and never wavered on her decision. She just wanted her mom and dad to be there when she signed for her full scholarship.
“I signed it at 2:02 p.m.,” she said with a smile.
Wednesday was the first day that high school athletes could sign letters of intent for many NCAA sports, including volleyball and baseball. Other sports, such as football and soccer, will hold initial signing days in February.
Irwin is one of three Clark County athletes known by The Columbian who have signed, or intend to, with Pac-10 programs. Camas pitcher Taylor Williams inked a deal with Washington State on Wednesday. In February, Camas soccer player Brittney Oljar is expected to sign with Oregon State.
“My top two choices were Washington State and Oregon State,” said Williams, who then gave the edge to the Cougars. “I like the area over there in The Palouse a lot. They finished second in the Pac-10 , and you can’t help but notice that. They’re on the rise.”
Because signing day fell on Veteran’s Day this year, with school out of session, the athletes did not have ceremonies surrounded by friends and teammates. Williams said he might have a mock ceremony at school later this week. There is a ceremony scheduled at Prairie for Irwin next week.
Irwin won’t be around the rest of this week because she and the Falcons are playing in the Class 3A state volleyball tournament in Kennewick. So yes, a special week for any volleyball player got a little extra special for Irwin.
“Sign today, leave tomorrow,” she said Wednesday. “We also just had our final practice at Prairie High School. Crazy week.”
One she has been anticipating since she started playing volleyball.
“I’m really not scared. I’m looking forward to it more than anything,” she said of joining the Ducks. “I’m looking forward to the intensity. Those girls are passionate about what they do, just like I am. I’ve been looking forward to playing Pac-10 volleyball since I was 5 years old.”
Even though Irwin committed to the Ducks last year, she went on her official visit this September, the same weekend the Oregon football team beat California at Autzen Stadium. The volleyball players and their recruits were greeted with cheers from the student section.
“They were chanting, ‘Come to Oregon. Come to Oregon,’ ” she said.
It became official on Wednesday.
“I looked at the contract and said, ‘This is it.’ It’s one of the best feelings in the world to accomplish something you’ve strived for your whole entire life,” she said.
Williams felt the same way about his baseball scholarship, and he hopes to be signing his name a lot after college, too.
“You’re pretty stoked about it; you’re ready to go to college,” Williams said. “It’s a big step in your life. It’s been a dream of mine to play college baseball and to play in the pros someday. Here I was, signing my signature that I hope to use signing autographs some day.”
As noted, Oljar has to wait until February to sign her letter for soccer. Football players also must wait.
The Columbian expects Heritage quarterback Garrett Grayson to be making his decision in the coming weeks. Grayson excelled at several nationally recognized passing camps this summer and has two Division I offers.
Note: Coaches and athletic directors are asked to contact The Columbian with decisions from their athletes in the coming days and months. E-mail Paul Valencia at paul.valencia@columbian.com.
