PORT ANGELES — When a coach describes an athlete as possessing “an unbelievable commitment to personal improvement” and says with absolute confidence that that player “will make the world a better place,” you know you are dealing with someone special.
Three-sport Port Angeles senior Dru Clark hasn’t wavered in his commitment to improvement during the pandemic, grinding on a daily basis to get bigger and better and waiting patiently for the senior year he had always imagined — competing alongside his teammates on the basketball and tennis courts and the baseball diamond.
“Dru is probably 10 pounds heavier and has put in countless hours in the weight room,” Roughriders boys basketball coach Kasey Ulin said. “He was going crazy with the spring and summer challenges we set up as well. He’s shown an unbelievable commitment to personal improvement. And that’s throughout his high school career. We were just watching a video from camp from four years ago, and he was maybe 5-foot-1 and 87 pounds. But we always knew that Dru had that drive and competitiveness. And whatever season we may get, I’m certain he’ll be one of the top point guards in [Class] 2A.”
Morning workouts with his younger sisters Teagan and Tianna and access to an indoor training facility have produced notable gains for the crafty Clark, an All-Peninsula Boys Basketball selection after posting seven points, five assists and three steals a game last season.
“Every morning, my sisters and I get up and work out at 5:30 a.m. to get stronger,” Clark said. “That’s one thing that’s been helping me on the basketball court. And I try to get a couple of hundred shots up every day and hit for baseball.”
Already a high-performing student academically with a 3.8 grade point average, Clark also has boosted his word power during COVID-19, taking a speed reading course with his sports-loving family, including his dad, Dustin, an assistant coach on the boys hoops team and mom, Tasha, a stalwart in the stands at her kids’ contests.
“It helps you in life in general to comprehend more of what you read,” Clark said. “It’s helped a lot with school. I started at being able to read 165 words per minute, and I’m reading at more than 900 words per minute now.”
Port Angeles’ Dru Clark bats while awaiting a pitch from his dad, Roughriders boys basketball assistant coach Dustin Clark, after the end of summer camp practices. (Courtesy photo)
Clark and teammates followed health guidance by wearing masks and sticking to small group activities during summer and fall practices sessions with Rider teammates. But stuck in limbo with the restrictions placed on prep sports activities in our state, Clark joined an AAU basketball squad formed by Matt Dunning, father to Riders’ teammate Wyatt Dunning, and traveled to Moscow, Idaho, to play in a handful of tournaments in a state that allows athletic competitions.
The camaraderie and social interaction of being around others on those trips has lifted his spirits during a difficult period.
“I just like being around all my teammates,” Clark said. “That’s the biggest thing. Staying in the same hotel and being around each other.”
That sentiment makes sense when Clark, a basketball captain this season, explains why being a leader is important to him — he’s a people pleaser.
“I like seeing smiles on everybody’s faces,” Clark said. “If I get a chance to make somebody’s day or see them smile, that’s a big thing for me. A smile can go a long way in somebody’s day.”
Ulin said Clark is an inclusive leader with the ability to reach players with his play as well as how he treats others with kindness and compassion.
“A teammate that is so welcoming to others and understands the big picture,” Ulin said. “He does all the things that might not show up in box scores but his teammates absolutely appreciate. He’s somebody they love to play with and play for. The maturity he has, how he controls the game, how he makes people better.
“It’s really fun for me to have that point guard who really sees the game and understands what I want. Dru drives the Caddy for us.”
COVID-19 era snapshot
Some COVID-19 time capsule questions and answers from Port Angeles senior Dru Clark:
• The song I’ve listened to the most during this period is: “Angels” by Chance the Rapper, a super positive song, and I’ve listened to it for a while now. Once COVID hit, I listened to that song, and it brought positive vibes.”
• My favorite TV show to stream during quarantine was: “All American” on Netflix. It’s about a high school kid who lives in the hood, that’s what they call it on the show, and a football coach from a private school offers to have him come play for a private school in downtown L.A. It’s very relatable to life.”
• Is there a viral video or a YouTuber that you keep coming back to?: “CouRageJD. He’s a gamer, so he steams games a lot on his YouTube channel. I’m not a huge gamer, but I like watching other people do what they love.”
• Biggest lesson learned during the pandemic: “Don’t take things for granted because I thought, ‘Oh, my senior year will come and go super quick.’ This year I haven’t had anything to do, and it’s felt super slow. You have to appreciate the little things.”
• When this is over, or at least properly contained, what activity are you most looking forward to doing?
“I’m a huge school dance fan. I really like our school dances, and I can’t wait to get back to those, so that’s what I’m looking forward to. Just being able to be around everybody.
• What’s your biggest hope going forward? “I just hope we have a season. I just want a season for everybody. I miss playing with my friends, competing and being challenged.”
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.
