Late Bloomer Excels in Basketball and Track at Clark College

Emily Peabody, a multi-sport athlete who didn't start competing in basketball and track until high school, is now the leading scorer in the NWAC and a conference champion sprinter.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 1:03am

Clark College's Emily Peabody is the leading scorer in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) for women's basketball, despite not starting to play the sport until her sophomore year of high school. Peabody was initially a soccer player, but also tried out for track and field as a junior in high school, where she found immediate success. She continued her athletic career at Clark College, where she has won NWAC titles in track and field and is dominating on the basketball court.

Why it matters

Peabody's story shows that with hard work and determination, athletes can excel in sports even if they start later than their peers. Her success also highlights Clark College's philosophy of encouraging multi-sport participation, which has allowed Peabody to thrive in both basketball and track and field.

The details

Peabody did not play organized basketball until her sophomore year of high school, when she moved from junior varsity to varsity in her first season due to her natural athletic ability. She continued to focus on soccer through her junior year, but then spent the summer before her senior year working on her basketball skills. Peabody also tried track and field as a junior in high school, where she immediately found success, winning the NWAC championship in the 200 meters in her first year at Clark College.

  • Peabody started playing organized basketball in her sophomore year of high school.
  • Peabody won the NWAC championship in the 200 meters in her first year at Clark College.

The players

Emily Peabody

A multi-sport athlete at Clark College who leads the NWAC in scoring for women's basketball and is a conference champion sprinter in track and field.

Clark College

A community college in Vancouver, Washington that encourages its athletes to participate in multiple sports.

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What they’re saying

“When I started basketball my sophomore year, I didn't even know what a layup was. That's how new I was to the sport.”

— Emily Peabody

“I'm a very goal-oriented person. Once I want something … anything to get it.”

— Emily Peabody

The takeaway

Peabody's story demonstrates that with hard work and determination, athletes can excel in sports even if they start later than their peers. Her success at Clark College also highlights the benefits of encouraging multi-sport participation, which has allowed Peabody to thrive in both basketball and track and field.