Sam Crouser makes his choice: UCLA

By Doug Binder, The Oregonian

December 14, 2009, 4:33PM

    Gresham senior Sam Crouser, the top prep javelin-thrower in the country, has given a verbal commitment to UCLA. 

    Crouser owns a personal best of 239 feet in the javelin and will take aim at the U.S. high school record of 241-11 in the spring. 

    He chose UCLA over Georgia, Texas A&M and Oregon. The commitment is non-binding. 

    “I liked the weather, the campus, and all of the guys down there,” said Crouser, who visited the Westwood campus a week ago. “I kinda knew when I came home.”

    There is heavy sentiment for Oregon in the Crouser family. Sam’s father, Dean, is the school record holder in the shot put and discus. And Sam said he had great appreciation for Oregon and Hayward Field.