Waiakea High senior soccer player Jadyn Clark may have been late to the party, but now she’s ready to see the world.
First stop: Forest City, Iowa.
Clark signed a letter-of-intent to play for Waldorf University, continuing Hawaii’s pipeline to the NAIA school and Warriors’ pipeline of sending players to colleges as a whole.
“I started playing soccer in seventh-grade, which was kind of late,” Clark said in a release. “So I had to work immensely hard to become the soccer player that I am now. I honestly never thought that when I started playing soccer I would be able to come as far as I have.
“I am in love with the sport and thankful for everything I’ve learned and gained from it. I’m excited for this amazing opportunity to further my soccer career and represent my hometown of Hilo well.”
The Warriors are becoming well-represented in the college ranks. A pair of Clark’s teammates, Maluhia Kekuawela and Maiya Serrao, have signed with Fresno Pacific.
Clark, who plans to major in biology, is headed to the nation’s heartland.
“I chose Waldorf because the coaching staff was very supportive and helpful throughout the whole recruiting process,” she said. “Coming from Hawaii, and being raised here my whole life, I also really wanted to explore and experience the rest of the world. Waldorf has a beautiful campus and I really like the fact that most of the students are athletes, like me.”
Clark was a four-year letterwinner for the Warriors and also participated in track and field.
She’s set to become one six players on Waldorf’s roster from Hawaii, joining Oahu’s Mikayla Smith, a fellow newcomer, and returnees Amber Williams, Heather Kolona, Cathryn Tavares and Sydney Boyd from Aiea.
Waldorf, also known as the Warriors, finished 4-12-1 in 2019 with seven seniors on the roster and compete as an independent.
Head coach Lugo Arenas credited assistant Melanie Chandler with cultivating the school’s relationship with Hawaii players.
“Jadyn is a great athlete and wonderful student,” Arenas said. “The atmosphere we’ve created bringing in student-athletes from all over helped play a role in to getting Jadyn here. Coach Mel built that relationship with the family from day one, which helped tremendously.
“We’re excited to see the impact Jadyn will have on this program.”
