For Gannon Clark, there’s no place like home – or close to home.

Clark, a senior at Girard and one of the best high school javelin throwers in Kansas, signed a letter-of-intent with Pittsburg State on Wednesday afternoon in front of family and friends at the high school

“There were other schools talking to me, but being close to home really played a big part of it,” Clark said. “Pittsburg State is a great program. I believe Coach (Brian) Mantooth (throwers coach) is great at doing what he does. He can develop kids, and I think I’ll fit well into the program and be able to do some great stuff.”

Clark, the son of Joseph and Meredith Clark, has added 16 feet to his throw this season, from 180 at the end of his junior year to 196 this year. That ranks him first in Kansas Class 3A, 11th in all classes in Kansas and 38th in the nation.

“I worked with a guy from Erie, Brett Thompson, an Olympic Trials finalist (and former PSU thrower),” Clark said. “He’s really taken me from where I was as a sophomore, 161 feet, all the way to where I am now, 196 feet. Working on little things day in and day out, that’s what really changed my throw.”

The Trojans’ track and field postseason begins next week with the CNC League meet in Girard, and Clark believes 200 feet is attainable.

“One hundred percent,” he answered. “I think it’s right there. It’s just little things. I’ve got to do the right things at the right time.”

“He’s a young man who has worked hard and gotten better every year,” Trojans track and field coach Matt Logue said. “And he’s a great kid. He’s good to have around. He’s good for team leadership. You can’t do much better than Gannon. We’d like a lot more of him.”