Jan. 17, 2003
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - Two transfers have joined the Western Washington University football program, head coach Rob Smith announced today. Wide receiver James Laurence, a junior from Antelope Valley College (Calif.) who signed a national letter of intent; and linebacker Jeff Parks, a freshman from Boise State University, are enrolled and attending winter quarter classes.
Laurence was a second-team Foothill Conference all-star at Antelope Valley, catching 55 passes for 791 yards and three touchdowns. He had 12 catches for 189 yards and two touchdowns in one game.
The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Laurence received all-league honorable mention as a freshman, making 28 receptions for 410 yards and one touchdown on a team that reached the Shrine Potato Bowl.
Laurence was a first-team all-South Puget Sound League North Division choice as a senior at Kent-Meridian High School in 1997, averaging 16.5 yards per catch and making nine touchdown grabs.
Parks did not play in two seasons at Boise State. He was a first-team Associated Press, Seattle Times and Tacoma News Tribune Class 4A all-State choice as a senior in 2000 at Bethel High School.
Listed as a red chip among the Seattle Times Top 100 state high school seniors, Parks was named South Puget Sound League Defensive Player of the Year. He also received first-team all-area and all-league recognition and played in the East-West all-star game.
Parks was named defensive MVP in the state title game, being credited with 11 tackles in a 21-3 loss to Pasco. For the season, he had 156 tackles, including 28 for loss and led the state in quarterback sacks with 17.
JAMES LAURENCEWide ReceiverJunior, 6-5, 225, 22, 5/23/80Kent, WACOLLEGE: Transfer from Antelope Valley College (Lancaster, Calif.) ... Second-teamFoothill Conference all-star ... Received school's Rae Yoshida Award for highest gradepoint average ... Started and lettered two years for Marauders ... As a sophomore,caught 55 passes for 791 yards and 3 touchdowns ... Had 12 catches for 189 yards and2 touchdowns against Reedley College ... Honorable mention all-league as freshman ... Had28 receptions for 410 yards and 1 touchdown on squad that reached Shrine Potato Bowl ...Also lettered one year track ... Conference champion in both 110 high hurdles and triplejump.HIGH SCHOOL: First-team all-South Puget Sound League North Division choice as senior atKent-Meridian High School in 1997 ... Averaged 16.5 yards per catch for Royals and caught9 touchdown passes ... Started one year and lettered two ... Also earned four lettersin basketball and track ... Second-team all-league in basketball as senior ... ReachedClass 4A state championships two years in track, placing fourth in triple jump and eighthin long jump as junior.PERSONAL: Major is business ... He and wife Jamie (formerly McBroom) have son JamesLaurence II, 1.
JEFF PARKSLinebackerFreshman, 6-3, 215, 20, 8/11/82Graham, WACOLLEGE: Transfer from Boise State University ... Did not play last season after beingredshirt in 2001.HIGH SCHOOL: First-team Associated Press, Seattle Times and Tacoma News Tribune Class 4Aall-State choice as senior at Bethel High School ... Listed among Seattle Times Top 100(red chip) state high school seniors ... South Puget Sound League Defensive Player ofthe Year ... Credited with 156 tackles, including 28 for loss and led state inquarterback sacks with 17 ... Also received first-team all-area and all-leaguerecognition ... Played in East-West all-star game ... Named defensive MVP of state titlegame in 21-3 loss to Pasco, being credited with 11 tackles ... First-team all-area andall-league as junior ... Team defensive MVP as junior and senior ... Started and letteredtwo years.PERSONAL: Major is social science.
