Harris signs to throw for Northern State track team

Leyton High School two-sport athlete and honor-roll student Kassandra Harris has signed a letter of intent to participate in track and study at Northern State University in Aberdeen, S.D.

Harris, who was also one of the top players on the volleyball team that went to state the past three years, originally had set a goal to play volleyball when she moved on to college. After medaling in sixth in the discus at the state championships in Omaha last year, Harris began entertaining thoughts of another kind.

"At first I was looking into volleyball. My dream was always to play volleyball in college," said Harris. "When I was at state in the discus I thought how much I enjoyed this. It would be kind of different too."

Harris' trip to Burke Stadium last year was actually her third straight visit to the big dance. She has qualified in the discus every year since she was a freshman.

"I hope to make it all four years this season," she said with a big smile.

Harris is going to a Division II program led by Kevin Bjerke, who has been with the program for six years and been the head man the past two. He also runs the cross-country program.

In addition, Northern State has three assistant coaches that specialize in throwing to help Harris reach her highest potential.

"I met (Coach Bjerke) on my visit there and he was so nice and welcoming. He seemed like really good people," said Harris. "I also had the chance to meet some of the throwers and felt right at home with them."

Though she is headed to Northern State for track, she first came to the attention of the coaching staff there through her volleyball prowess. They noticed something in her game they thought would translate well to throwing. When they discovered her accomplishments at discus, it all came together.

On the volleyball court Harris proved to be an excellent all-around player. Perhaps it was one of her best attributes on the court that helped her cause as a thrower. Harris was the Warriors most accurate server.

Her serves clicked at a nearly 97-percent rate last season. As a result Leyton scored more points (430) with her on the line than any other player--and that on a talented Warriors squad.

She was also second on the team in aces (60).

One of the qualities required of being such an effective server is the arm swing.

"I have a pretty good thrower's technique that maybe I picked up from playing volleyball," Harris pointed out.

But Harris wasn't just a one-trick pony on the volleyball court. She was also the team leader in digs, an achievement that requires hustle and quickness, among many other attributes. As hustle is a first cousin to hard work - it's a quality her track and volleyball coach at Leyton says she has in abundance.

"Kassandra gives 110 percent in all that she does both academically and athletically," said Warriors Volleyball Coach and Girls Track Coach Jodi Craig. "She is very self motivated and does a lot of practice throwing on her own time as well as during practice."

Even though Harris will specialize in the discus at Leyton this season, she is already aware that she will have more on her plate next year. At Northern State the coaches have informed her that they want her to try out the javelin and hammer throw, as well.

Because Nebraska high school competition generally limits throwers to shot and discus, they're not events she has experience in, the coaches consider her talent and work ethic will translate well to both disciplines.

"I might do some club track over the summer to get my hands on a javelin," Harris said.

As she is also an excellent student Harris will have no trouble succeeding academically. She hopes to pursue a degree in business management or business administration.

Her love of animals, and especially horses, may steer her towards a career in the veterinary field.

Among the many factors that drew Harris to becoming part of the Northern State Wolves was the campus.

"First of all it's such a beautiful drive going up there," said Harris. "And the campus is gorgeous and the town is not overwhelming. I know I'm going to like going there."

While making the jump from high school track to Division II is a big step, Coach Craig expresses no doubts about one of her star student-athletes.

"She knows what she wants and is going to do what it takes to achieve it," said Craig. "I have no doubt she will be successful at the college level in any type of throws. Success breeds success and with the success Kassandra has experienced, she has the potential to move on to the next level and have it there too."

Harris is the daughter of Lori and the late Brendan Harris.