Feb. 9, 2003
BELLINGHAM, Wash. - James Day, a senior at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, has signed a national letter of intent to play football at Western Washington University. Making that announcement was Viking head coach Rob Smith.
Day, who is expected to play safety on defense at Western, received honorable mention Associated Press Class 4A all-state honors and was selected to play in the East-West all-star game this summer.
Twice a first-team Vancouver Columbian all-Area pick and a three-time first-team Greater St. Helens League all-star, Day helped the Thunder to a 10-3 record and the semifinals of the state playoffs last fall.
Despite missing three games with a pulled hamstring, Day was credited with 110 tackles, six forced fumbles and three blocked kicks as a defensive end, and ran for over 700 yards and 21 touchdowns as a running back on offense. In a state quarterfinal game against Oak Harbor, he set a state playoff record by scoring five touchdowns in one half.
As a junior, Day, who had his jersey No.11 retired, helped Mountain View to a 9-3 record, the league championship and the state semifinals. He also has earned letters in wrestling and baseball, leading the league in hitting (.523), slugging percentage and home runs (9) as a junior.
Day's signing brings Western's NLI total to 17, 16 high school seniors and one junior college transfer. Ten of the high school signees earned all-state honors.
JAMES DAYSafetyFreshman, 6-0, 200, 18, 9/14/84Vancouver, WA
HIGH SCHOOL: Received honorable mention Washington State Sportswriters Association Class 4A all-State as senior at Mountain View High School ... Selected to play in East-West all-star game ... Twice first-team Vancouver Columbian all-Area and three times first-team Greater St. Helens League all-star ... Team co-captain and program award winner ... Had jersey No.11 retired ... Helped Thunder to 10-3 record and semifinals of state playoffs ... Scored state-playoff record five touchdowns in one half against Oak Harbor ... Missed three games because of hamstring injury, but still was credited with 110 tackles, 6 forced fumbles, 3 blocked kicks as defensive end and as running back on offense ran for 700 yards and 21 touchdowns ... As junior, played on team that finished 9-3, won league title, and reached state semifinals ... Started and lettered three years ... Also earned three letters in wrestling and two in baseball ... Led league with .523 batting average, slugging percentage and home runs (9) as junior and was league all-star. PERSONAL: Plans to major in communications ... His cousin, Cori Crossetti, plays football at Air Force Academy.
