Cook Inks Intent With Ball State
SYRACUSE – It’s national signing day across the country for high school athletes looking to take the next step in their athletic careers. Wawasee High School senior Clayton Cook has chosen to spread his wings this fall with the Ball State University football program.
Cook, who is also a standout track athlete, made his verbal commitment to Ball State last spring but signed his official papers this morning at WHS with his parents, Frank and Peggy, along with a host of family members in tow.
Cook was the focal point of defenses all season as an all-purpose threat for the Warriors. Cook amassed 379 yards receiving, 339 yards rushing and had 272 yards returning the football his senior season. Cook accounted for 10 total touchdowns and also added a two-points conversion, six extra points plus added over 1,260 yards punting the ball.
Cook was named the WHS Offensive Player of the Year his sophomore and senior seasons, an All-Northern Lakes Conference selection three times and IFCA All-State as a junior and senior among several accolades.
“It’s very exciting to be taking the next step. I am looking forward to every bit of it,” Cook said at signing day Wednesday. “I was very impressed with the coaching staff at Ball State and what I saw there this summer at their practices. They also had the major I want to get in with telecommunications and has one of the best programs in the nation for that. The campus size is also perfect for me. It’s just a great fit overall.”
Cook is also a state finalist hurdler, finishing fifth in the 110-high hurdles at the state finals last spring and is a five-time NLC and two-time sectional champion. Cook also holds the Wawasee school records in the 100 and 200 dashes as well as the 4×100 relay.
Academically, Cook is ranked No. 56 out of 212 in his class with a 9.43 GPA (on a 12 scale) and is a member of the Key Club and Wawasee Leadership Committee.
Added Wawasee football head coach Josh Ekovich, “When we sat down and looked at Clayton versus other kids of his skill, we knew we had a Division One talent on our hands. Ball State was one of the first teams that contacted him, and Clayton stuck with them. This is exciting for our program, it’s unfamiliar ground for our program to have a D-1 player. I’m really happy for Clayton, he’ll do well at the next level.”
Ball State, coached by Pete Lembo, went 5-7 last season. One of the highlights of the 2015-16 Ball State season will be a trip to College Station to meet SEC powerhouse Texas A&M.