Soldotna senior Erika Arthur signed a National Letter of Intent to run in the track and field program at Carroll College in Helena, Montana. Carroll is in the Frontier Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Erika is a decorated cross-country running and track athlete for Soldotna High School,” Soldotna athletic director Kyle McFall said in a released statement.
As a junior, Arthur, the daughter of Krista and Chad Arthur, won a Region III individual championship at the Region III/4A level and was named Region III Female Runner of the Year. As a sophomore, Arthur took Region III/4A championships in the 3,200-meter run and 3,200-meter relay.
“Soldotna High School is very proud of all that Erika has accomplished throughout her time here and wishes her good luck in her future endeavors!” McFall wrote.
In explaining her daughter’s decision, Krista, now the head cross-country coach, spoke of Ted McKenney, the former SoHi cross-country coach who died this summer.
“She had a lot of really hard choices but really wanted a running program that was competitive and would grow her in the sport,” Krista wrote in a text message. “Carroll College is a nationally ranked program for NAIA in XC and indoor and outdoor track.
“Ted would have been very happy with this choice.”