KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
Kodiak High School senior Trevor Dunbar has chosen to attend the University of Portland this fall on a full-scholarship. Dunbar chose the Pilots after weighing a number of offers from larger colleges. In October Dunbar set a course record at the Adidas Cross Country Classic in Portland and came in second in the Foot Locker National Championships. KMXT’s Erik Wander has more.
Dunbar, who was weighing offers from the University of Oregon, Oklahoma State and Northern Arizona, said he is satisfied with his decision to become a Portland Pilot next fall. Portland is the smallest school he was considering, but it is a division one program that finished seventh in the nation last year. Dunbar said the size of the school, making the transition to college athletics and academics, the proximity of Portland to Kodiak and Pilots’ head coach, Rob Connor, were all factors in his decision.
— (Trevor 1 53 sec "When it was all laid out … they’ve got a lot of talent.")
Dunbar said he enjoyed the sometimes grueling process of visiting schools and speaking with coaches but that he’s ready to move on with his collegiate running career at this point. He said it was a difficult decision to make.
— (Trevor 2 22 sec "It was a really tough … I’m glad it’s over with.")
Dunbar’s father, Marcus, who is also Trevor’s coach at Kodiak High School, ran alongside Portland’s coach Connor at Portland for the first two years of his own college career before transferring to Oregon.
— (Marcus 1 55 sec "The Portland coach we had known … a big part of their team.")
Marcus Dunbar transferred to and ultimately graduated from Oregon after deciding that he wanted to major in physical education, which wasn’t offered at Portland. He says he’s not disappointed in Trevor’s decision to attend Portland, even though the defending national champion Ducks were on his short list. He said the decision was ultimately Trevor’s to make.
— (Marcus 2 39 sec "I think he would have loved Oregon … what he thought.")
Trevor already has aspirations for his college career. He said he’s looking forward to helping his new team finish even higher than seventh in the nation, which matched the program’s best finish ever, and that he’d like to earn All-American honors eventually.
— (Trevor 3 18 sec "First time out, I’d like … definitely down the road.")
Dunbar is considering majoring in business in college but plans to hold off on that decision for now as he focuses on the upcoming high school track season and training for next fall. I’m Erik Wander.
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