Senior Tiffany Kincaid had all the information she needed to decide on which university she would be running for in the fall.
She made a spreadsheet and listed each school’s cost, different scholarships offered to her, the distance from home, and how she felt about the team and the coaches.
Then, the decision was made the weekend before Signing Day on Feb. 4. Kincaid would be attending Eastern Michigan University.
‘I am really excited and I am glad to have my decision over with,? she said. ‘Most of the other schools I was looking at were out of state and I wasn’t sure I wanted to go out of state. I went on my visit and loved it.?
Her parents, Daneen and Jeff, were excited to see her sign her letter and chose a school to run cross-country and track.
‘The whole recruiting process is fun at first, then it comes to the end and are they going to make a choice,? said Jeff. ‘Everyone feels good. We are happy she is going to be close. She felt really comfortable at Eastern and she had a chance to contribute really early. She likes big schools, she has access to everything. Clarkston is so big, some of those colleges are smaller than Clarkston High School.?
Tiffany’s cross country coach Mike Franko asked her to visit Eastern, he had gone to school there and it was a state school
‘I didn’t expect her to make that decision,? said Franko. ‘I am happy for her to find a place she really liked. It’s a bonus for me because it is Eastern.?
Tiffany began running in cross country because she wanted to be involved.
‘She ran about 15-16 minutes in two miles and was told sorry no one will run the two mile and she would never be a good distance runner,? said Jeff.
Tiffany found inspiration from her parents and then varsity coach Jamie LaBrosse.
‘He got her so psyched up,? said Jeff. ‘She was 24/25th on the team when she started. By the end of the year she was on varsity and won the state championship. It’s a matter of getting her psyched to run. She ran for recreation but once coach got in her head, once she got into distance running she stuck with it.?
Daneen calculated Tiffany ran a total of 8,000 miles in high school.
Being able to contribute as a freshman was also the reason Kicker Kevin Pinkos signed to play with University of Detroit-Mercy.
Another factor that helped him decide was the scholarship they offered him.
‘It has been a dream for him to play for a Division 1 school and they plan on rebuilding,? said mom, Mary. ‘I am very proud of him.?
Kevin began playing soccer when he was four when his mom and dad, Andy, signed him up to continue in the family tradition. His older brother, Eric, and sister, Cori also played soccer.
‘I never gave it up,? said the midfielder who played on the varsity team for the last four years. He helped the team win the OAA Red league last fall and was there as the team made its way to the state finals in 2007.
‘I am so happy for him,? said Clarkston Varsity Soccer Coach Adam Bican, who missed Pinkos signing his letter. ‘He is one of the best players and it is great to see him play at the next level. He has a good work ethic, is a hard worker. He is such a good kid. UofD is getting a great player.?
Kevin has also played for Vardar Soccer Club.
Tiffany has not yet decided on what she will study, but is leaning towards either psychology or education.
Kevin will study business.