PALM COAST, Fla. — Flagler Palm Coast High School’s Colby Cronk is a multi-sport star excelling at football and track and field. He committed to play football for an ACC school this past spring, summers for him are spent conditioning and getting ready for his senior year. It’s worth it for the sport that he loves.

“It’s the only sport where you can hit someone,” said Cronk. “You can get angry. You can lay the hammer on someone. It’s the best sport in the world.”

He has been playing on the defensive side of the ball since he was 5 years old. He enjoys the read and react nature of defense.

“Offense you have to worry about blocking,” he said. “Defense, you don’t have to worry about that. On defense, you rush the ball and tackle someone.”

In March, he committed to play football at North Carolina State. Colby said he liked the vibe he was getting from the school and the coaching staff. Even after he committed, Colby went on his official visit in June to make sure it was the right decision.

“It just reinstated my commitment and, just like yeah, this is it for sure,” said Cronk.

But football isn’t the only sport he excels at, as he is a multiple medal winner in track and field.

“I got 1st place in shot put and I got 2nd place for discus,” he said. “I wanted to get two golds, but I wasn’t able to make it happen.”

The Cronk family is familiar with winning at the state level. His sister, Micayla Cronk, was also a state champion in the pool.

She swims at the University of Florida and this past year she was a national champion in the 800 free relay.

“She is really good. She is built different,” he said. “She came here at Flagler Palm Coast. She won seven state championships as a swimmer and you can only win eight.”

Cronk also excels in the classroom, as he’s going into senior year with a 4.98 GPA. He is also dual enrolled at Daytona State College.

Cronk plans on studying civil engineering, which involves his favorite subject, math.

“It’s black and white. You don’t have to determine your own answer,” he said. “This is the answer straight up for it. This is what you have to do, there is always straight up methods and formulas. I really like it.”

The football season is right around the corner for Colby and his teammates. They open up their season on Aug. 30 at Lake Howell.