April 19, 2024

Deerfield High School Senior Signs National Letter of Intent for University of Arkansas

[Deerfield, KS] — Deerfield High School senior Griffin Cherico signed a national letter of intent on Wednesday, May 6th to throw and compete in powerlifting for the University of Arkansas. The audio interview can be heard by clicking on the following link:

[Audio Interview w/Griffin Cherico]

Left to right: Ati (sister), Karla (Mom), Luciano (brother), Griffin, Rico (older brother holding Beckham), Sean “Rico” Cherico (Dad)

The University of Arkansas women’s track program has a rich history with five national championships, 38 individual NCAA champions and 17 Olympians. The program has also won 37 Southeastern Conference titles combined in cross country (20), indoor track (9) and outdoor track (8).

Cherico plans to attend Arkansas in the fall and major in psychology with a minor in education. Her accolades include:

Athlete
Sunflower State Games
4 time Shot Put / 1 Discus / 1 Hammer Throw Champion
State Qualifier and Placer since Freshman Year (missed senior year due to COVID-19 pandemic)
 
3 Time State Powerlifting Champion (missed senior year due to COVID-19 pandemic)
12 Individual State Titles Bench / Squat / Power Clean / Power Index
 
 
Best lifts (156 lb weight class)
Squat: 355 lbs
Bench: 195 lbs
Power Clean: 200 lbs
 
USA Olympic Tier 1 Athlete – Powerlifting
Training for the 2024 Paris Olympics
 
Academics
Graduated with Associate of Science May 2020 Garden City Community College
National Honor Society
Kansas Honor Scholar
Valedictorian Deerfield High School 2020
 
Parents
Sean & Karla Cherico
 
Father played college football / Mom collegiate track athlete (Heptathlete)
Brother wrestled collegiately / Uncle was All-American football player at University of Arkansas