Corban College in Salem is getting the cream of the crop.

East Linn Christian Academy seniors Hannah Whitehead and Keith Clark signed letters of intent this week to compete at Corban College next year.

Whitehead will be a part of the cross country and track teams and Clark will play for the soccer team.

Whitehead chose Corban over the chance to play basketball at Linn-Benton Community College or run track for Lane Community College.

“I’ve always wanted to go there,” Whitehead said. “I just want to run.”

Whitehead said Corban track and cross country coach Norm Berney has been following her through most of her high school career.

Whitehead will receive a scholarship that pays for everything except room and board.

Her first love is basketball, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

“That’s her favorite sport but she’s been blessed in track,” said Rachel Whitehead, Hannah’s mother.

J.D. Hill, head track coach at East Linn, said he expects Whitehead to do well at the next level.

“I think she’ll do even better than how she’s doing in high school,” Hill said.

Hill said Whitehead’s times in some of the events she competes in at East Linn are already comparable to the current Corban runners.

Whitehead has had a storied career thus far at East Linn.

She set a school record in the 400-meter run last year and won the event at the state meet.

She took up cross country her junior and seniors years and excelled.

Berney said he expects Whitehead to compete in a variety of events at Corban, including the short-distance and middle-distance runs.

“We’re really excited about it because she’s so versatile,” Berney said.

Berney said Whitehead is one of the biggest recruits the school has landed this year.

He likened the signing to when the school signed South Medford standout basketball player Eric Fiegi in 2002.

The Corban coach also expects Whitehead to be a part of the team’s 1,600-meter relay team.

“She’s such a natural runner,” Whitehead’s father, Todd Whitehead, said. “I’m so proud of her.”

Whitehead will have the chance to receive guidance from Corban College athletic director Dave Johnson.

Without fully recovering from a broken foot, Johnson earned a bronze medal in the decathlon in the 1992 Olympic Games.

Clark signed his letter of intent on April 25, a day after Whitehead signed hers.

He’ll receive a $2,500 scholarship and play for the soccer team.

“I went up there and tried out and made the team,” Clark said. “I’m excited.”

School starts for the two incoming freshman in the fall.