Linfield University Athletics

SENIOR
Letter winner.
Appeared in 11 games, starting four. 
Scored two runs. 

JUNIOR
Letter winner.
Northwest Conference Scholar Athlete.
Tossed 8.1 innings in three appearances.
 
CLARK UNIVERSITY
Two-time letter winner.
Opening Day starter as a freshman in 2018.
 
FRIDAY HARBOR HIGH SCHOOL
Ten-time letter-winner in baseball, football and basketball.
2017 all-state honoree.
Two-time league MVP.
Two-time all-league first baseman honoree.
Four-time First Academic Honor recipient.
Valedictorian of the 2017 graduation class.
Hit a three-run homerun in the State Final Eight Elimination Game.
 
PERSONAL
Majoring in biochemistry.
Son of Michelle and Michael Herko.
Attended Clark University for two years prior to Linfield.
 
WHY LINFIELD? I chose to attend Linfield because of the sterling reputation and tradition of the athletic program. Linfield’s athletic staff is more helpful, gregarious, and supportive than the athletic staffs at many other schools and I believe that will help me develop as much as possible as a player and a teammate.
 
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A STUDENT-ATHLETE AT LINFIELD? Being a student-athlete is an opportunity that not every young adult is able to do. Student-athletes learn to be competent in the classroom, how to manage time effectively and how to be a supportive and positive teammate. Competing in athletics highlights the benefits of being part of a group and this has taught me that a focused group can achieve much more than a focused individual.
 
WHAT MAKES YOU INTERESTING AS A STUDENT-ATHLETE? I attended a very small high school In Friday Harbor, Wash. Living on San Juan Island, my teammates and I took a ferry to the mainland in order to travel to our games. The longer travel times helped solidify our resolve as a team, and contributed to the positive group dynamic. This extra travel also occurred during the summer baseball season, as I would play for teams based on the mainland. I played football and basketball in addition to baseball in high school, and was a captain on the football team in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
 
WHAT IS NEXT AFTER LINFIELD? My career focus is to become a medical professional with a doctorate in a medical field. At Linfield, I have chosen the biochemistry and molecular biology Degree path and an Environmental Studies minor. My goal is to spend the maximum amount of time I can pursuing my athletic dreams and then complete a graduate program at a medical or veterinary school in the next five years.
 
WHAT IS THE BEST CLASS YOU’VE TAKEN AT LINFIELD? The best class I have taken at Linfield was Organic Chemistry. Dr. Liz Atkinson made everyone feel welcome and made learning organic chemistry fun, even though the class was challenging and required a lot of effort.
 
WHEN NOT COMPETING IN SPORTS OR STUDYING FOR SCHOOL, I LIKE TO SPEND MY FREE TIME…Skiing or hiking.
 
THE GREATEST LESSON THAT I’VE LEARNED WHILE COMPETING IN ATHLETICS AT LINFIELD HAS BEEN…You can earn respect by working hard and setting an example for other teammates.
 
WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LINFIELD CAREER THUS FAR? The highlight of my Linfield career thus far was transferring here and making the baseball team.