In the past week, Clarkston High School has seen four of its finest athletes promise their collegiate athletic careers.
On Monday, Ryan Breen and Bren Bergquist, both members of the Wolves? 10-2 team of 2006, signed to play football for Penn State University and Hillsdale College respectively. Also, Josh Hall became the second Clarkston baseball player to put his intentions in writing, sealing his letter of intent with Kalamazoo Valley Community College, after Drew Howard signed with St. Clair Community College on Feb. 7.
Bergquist, a 6-foot 6-inch tight end on the offensive side of the ball and outside linebacker on defense, strengthened up the Wolves? passing game by making himself a presence, said Wolves coach Kurt Richardson.
‘He had a great year for us. He opened up our passing game, people had to honor him, which a lot of times they don’t do with tight ends. He became a better blocker and he played a lot of defense for us,? Richardson said.
Bergquist worked hard to develop the mechanics of a great football player, he said.
‘When he got to us, he was a big kid who had to learn to play the game. He got by when he was younger because he was so much bigger than everyone else. He’s become more physical every year and he’s an outstanding receiver,? Richardson said.
‘The biggest difference I’ve noticed is that he has improved his foot-speed. He’s going to have a great career at Hillsdale. He’s a borderline division I/II kid, so he’s a good catch for them.?
Bergquist is one of three tight ends recruited by the Chargers who finished 5-5 in 2006 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Bergquist was initially looking into other schools in the GLIAC, but decided on Hillsdale after a visit.
‘Hillsdale was the best fit. I knew it when I went there that I wanted to be a Charger.?
Breen verbally agreed with PSU in June after visiting a camp there. The Nittany Lions were not the only Big Ten school showing interest in the strong-legged kicker. The University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Ohio State University were also bidding for his commitment.
‘It was pretty cool having letters coming in day after day from different schools. It was kind of overwhelming,? Breen said.
‘They were showing a lot of interest and I really liked the campus and everything about the program,? he added.
Oftentimes during the Wolves? season, Breen pinned opponents deep in their own territory, notching 32 touchbacks for the year and 84 in his career.
Richardson said Breen’s kicking helped Clarkston’s defense immensely.
‘We played on short fields all the time because he was kicking it into their end-zone and they’re starting on the 20-yard line and we were holding them,? Richardson said.
‘He was huge for us and that’s something you don’t always see in getting field position.?
Breen relishes the ability to make such an impact on the game with his kicking.
‘I like being a weapon, especially in the kicking game. I know special teams is a big part of football and I like to be able to prove I was one of the best and I could make the other team start at the 20-yard line every time,? he said.
Hall, who played right field for the Wolves last season in their run to the regional finals, was approached by the coach of the KVCC program after attending a baseball camp at Western Michigan University.
After a visit to the school, Hall said the recently-renovated facilities looked nice and he was encouraged by the success of the baseball team.
Hall is expected to pitch for the Wolves this season as well as splitting time at short-stop.
Hall and Bergquist each would like to get their degrees in business, while Breen is looking to go into elementary education.
In the meantime, Bergquist and Breen, also teammates on Clarkston’s basketball team, have the end of their regular season fast approaching and a likely strong run in the state playoffs.