Warrenton’s Emmi Collier signs with Western Oregon University

Published 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 21, 2012

WARRENTON They got her good.

Emmi Collier, a senior track and field star at Warrenton High School, did not know what the school assembly was all about Wednesday morning, when students filed into the gymnasium.

I walked into the gym and saw the sweatshirts on the table, and I thought Uh-oh. They got me good, said Collier, who ended up being the center of attention at the assembly, in which she signed a letter-of-intent to attend Western Oregon University.

Warrenton Athletic Director Ian OBrien wanted to make Colliers letter-of-intent signing a little more special, so the surprise assembly was held.

I walked into Mr. OBriens class in the morning and asked him when we were going to do the signing, because I knew there was a deadline, Collier said. He told me he was trying to get a hold of my mom to set something up, and second period rolls around, and we have the assembly.

And thats where Collier made it official, signing the letter in front of the student body to attend Western Oregon University.

She will compete in the shot put and discus for the Wolves, and will give the hammer and weight throw a try as well.

I visited their campus, and I really liked the school, she said of the campus in Monmouth. I talked to the coach (Mike Johnson), and I liked how he and the coaches were. I just liked the feeling of the school.

Collier had made visits to Concordia and Pacific, before deciding on Western.

But before she joins the Wolves, Collier has one more season with the Warriors, who begin their 2012 season today with a meet at Portland Christian. Warrentons first meet last weeks Rainier Ice-Breaker was postponed and will be held in April.

Collier will be one of the favorites to win a Class 3A state title in the shot and the discus this season (the state meet is held at Western Oregon).

Im hoping for 47 or 48 feet, she said of her season goal in the shot put. I dont know if Ill get it, but Im hoping for it.

Collier will join a few other North Coast athletes already on the Wolves track and field roster.

Astorias Charlene Harber is in her first year at Western, and the former Lady Fisherman has already placed her name in the schools top 10 all-time point-scorers in the Pentathlon, with 3,372 points in the indoor conference championship meet.

The mens track roster at WOU includes Jewells Will Crook, Seasides Elyrcc Berkman and Ilwacos Matt Kaino.