College athletes pride themselves in representing their schools.

Evan Clark is just one step away from representing his country.

The 2002 Seneca Valley graduate and California (Pa) University junior is headed to Mason, Ohio, where the U.S. Olympic archery team will be selected next week.

Sixty-four archers will compete for three spots and the right to be in Athens, Greece, this August for the Summer Olympics. The fourth-place competitor will serve as an alternate.

"Hopefully, I can make the cut," said Clark. "But whatever happens, it's going to be a great experience for me.

"To be successful, you have to have a good mental game. Staying focused throughout a tournament is a big key. And, of course, a lot of practice helps, too."

Clark qualified for the trials last summer at the World University Games in Taegu, South Korea.

But the path that led Clark to the doorstep of the Olympics began 10 years ago.

"My younger brother Ethan got into archery first," said Clark. "Then I became interested and went to a few tournaments.

"I ended up joining the Junior Olympic Archery Development program at the Northside Sportsmen's Club.

"After watching the 1996 Summer Olympics, I just set my sights on getting there myself," added Clark.

Notable accomplishments came with the improvement in Clark's performance.

In 2001, Clark finished 35th in his first international competition in Italy.

"I didn't do as well as I would have liked," said Clark. "It's a big jump going from national competitions to international.

"But I just kept getting better and better. I was getting scores that Olympic competitors were getting when they were at that level. It served as motivation and I just kept at it."

Clark took 20th place in South Korea last summer before finishing in second and third place at the outdoor and indoor college championships, respectively, this past school year.

A technology education major at Cal, Clark started an archery club to spark interest around his campus.

"It started last fall and we've got about 20 guys involved," said Clark.

Clark will be one of the youngest archers in Ohio for the Olympic trials.

"A lot of the guys are in their 40s or 50s," he said. "The average age is probably somewhere in the thirties.

"Monday will be a practice day and the trials will begin on Tuesday," said Clark. "On that first day, 48 people will be cut. My goal is to make the final 16."

Regardless of the outcome this year, Clark will be back in contention for the next Olympics.

"I will be able to build off my experience this year and make a run at qualifying for the 2008 Games. If I qualify this year, great. But getting there in 2008 is my main goal."