Taking flight with the Oregon Ducks

There is no doubt that the Class of 2011 has shown its athletic worth with students like Matt Narahara going to USF for baseball and Juan Anderson playing basketball for Marquette. It seems that there is simply no shortage in the athletic talent that has shaped, arguably, one of the best athletic classes CVHS has seen in many years. Carlyle Garrick continues to prove this point as he recently committed to play football for the Oregon Ducks after high school.

“Growing up I wanted to run in the Olympics or be a NBA player. Football was never a sport I really cared for until my sophomore year in high school. Fortunately, it ended up working out for me,” said Garrick.

As a child he was first introduced to soccer by parents, and by the age of 10 he was playing every sport imaginable. Three years after that, his interest soon turned to the athletics program that the Ducks had to offer. “Oregon was a school that, since the 8th grade, I’ve dreamed of going to,” explained Garrick.

Going into the Oregon team, Garrick plans to play as either a strong safety or outside linebacker and hopes to become a versatile asset to the Ducks as a sort of “hybrid” player, capable of playing both positions. With Oregon’s most recent loss to Auburn in the BCS Championship Game, Garrick shows even more determination in “bringing the Natty back to the school every year.”

On a different note, success out on the field is not the only thing Garrick hopes to accomplish during his college career. Wanting to become a huge part of the Oregon community, he wants to have a positive impact out on the field, classroom, and community. He also dreams of incorporating his education with his passion in athletics by getting a degree in sports business and becoming the eventual owner of Nike, which is actually based in Oregon.

Of course, Garrick acknowledges that he couldn’t have accomplished all that he’s done during his life without the help of some key people. He thanks football coach Nic McMaster for always giving him great advice and help with the recruitment process, athletic trainer Hank House for the “countless hours of his time and effort to rehabilitate his knee,” his CVHS teammates for their never ending support, and lastly, his parents for making him the person he is today and motivating him to excel in both academics and sports.

As CVHS sends off yet another athletic star to a renowned university, we can only wonder what is in store for Garrick as he goes off to the University of Oregon.

Be sure to keep your eyes open in the following years to come. We might be seeing him on the television in a BCS Championship game soon enough.