Coupeville Sports

Coupeville’s Danny Conlisk signed a letter of intent Friday afternoon to run track for an NCAA D-II school. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Conlisk and his family celebrate his signing day. (Eileen Stone photo)

One of Coupeville’s finest is on his way to a bigger stage.

Danny Conlisk, who has had a meteoric rise, both in the classroom and the athletic arena, signed a college letter of intent Friday to run track for the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

The school competes at the NCAA D-II level and its sports programs stretch back to 1895.

Originally known as the Longhairs, its athletic teams now operate as the Hardrockers, paying tribute to the school’s mining background.

Originally an NAIA school, SDSM&T joined the NCAA in 2013 and currently competes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

And, in case you were wondering, the Hardrocker mascot is named Grubby the Miner.

The more you know.

Conlisk, a captain in cross country and track for Coupeville, received an athletic scholarship from SDSM&T, and will also get financial help from the GI Bill.

He will compete just in track in college, both during indoor and outdoor seasons.

During his time at CHS, Conlisk served a term as the student body rep on the school board, and plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

After making huge strides with both the high school track team, and the Kitsap Fliers club running team, the speedy Wolf was tracked by SDSM&T coaches, who made sure he knew they were interested.

After a trip to see the school, it was an easy choice.

“They grabbed his interest and Danny didn’t want to be just a number at a school,” mom Dawnelle said. “He wanted a smaller school that was engineering-focused.”

Currently one of the fastest 1A runners in the state in the 100, 200, and 400, the Coupeville senior is making his final run at prep track glory.

Conlisk already has three state meet medals to his credit, with his best finish 2nd in the 400 as a junior.

He also claimed 5th in the same event as a sophomore, and was part of a 4 x 400 relay unit which took 5th during his junior season.

While running for the Fliers, Conlisk advanced to the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympics Championships in the 400.