Clarke to play ball at Great Falls U.

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

Whitefish High School senior Desiree Clarke has received $10,000 in scholarship money to play softball for the University of Great Falls.

Clarke plays catcher as well as other positions for the Lady Bulldogs softball team. She may also play outfield for the Lady Argos. Clarke also played basketball at Whitefish and was named her team's defensive MVP this season.

The Lady Argos play in the NAIA division, which takes them to cities across Montana and the West. The team has posted an overall record of 9-4 so far this season.

"I'm really excited," Clarke said. "I really liked how small the classes were there. In every class we saw, there were only about 10-15 kids, and all the people were really nice."

Clarke said she had dinner with several members of her future team.

"I actually used to play summer softball with one of the girls on the team," she said.

Clarke received $2,500 in athletic scholarships and $7,500 in academic scholarships, making her opportunity at Great Falls a can't-miss situation.

Clarke has been a varsity starter at catcher for the Lady Bulldogs for three years. She said the chemistry between her and star pitcher Torey Ost will be a big advantage for her team this year.

"Torey's been working really hard, and we're really good friends," Clark said. "I'm really excited about the upcoming season."

Clark said she has been playing softball since she was three, when her dad Ron taught her how to play.

"I've basically grown up around softball, so it's my favorite sport," she said, despite her obvious enjoyment and skill with a basketball.

Clarke will be working at playing shortstop for the Lady Bulldogs a little bit this year.

"We have a lot of people coming who played together over the summer, so everybody's ready to go," she said.