Aplington-Parkersburg senior Colton Harken recently announced that he’s continuing his football career at Dordt University.
He says in his visits to the Sioux Center campus, he felt many similarities to home.
“I went out there and kind of fell in love with the place right away,” Harken says. “Just kind of had that feeling of home, kind of the Aplington-Parkersburg feel. And I know Joe Johnson, he played there a couple years ago. He was out there. So I got to talk with him a little bit and see his perspective and still keep in touch with him pretty well. So that was another factor, that I knew someone out there had good reports from it too. And also the coaches out there, they were just like everyone here. So it was really just that feeling of home that kind of pushed me that way.”
A defensive lineman, Harken recorded 20 tackles and 2.5 sacks during his senior season. He’s a two-time second team all-district honoree, three-time letterwinner, and was recognized with the team’s Mike Neavins Hardest Worker award. He has some key takeaways from high school sports that’ll translate well to the next level.
“The coaches demand your best every day, and you’ve got to show up ready to put 110 percent effort into everything you do. So that’s a big factor there. So you’ve got to just continue to work and push yourself to the limit. And the coaches bring that out of you, just pushing you to your limit, because they see what you can be and just try to prepare you for the next level if you want to play.”
Dordt is coming off an 8-2 season.
