From Pullman to Omaha, news for your Sunday morning

MORNING NEWS

It’s Sunday morning so we’re going to make this quick.

It would be even quicker if it weren’t for all this Washington State-related news.

• First off, retired Seattle Times columnist Blaine Newnham writes about the Katelan Redmon situation with UW, taking athletic director Todd Turner’s side. Newnham’s point: Turner was hired to follow the rules and now he’s getting crud for doing just that. The problem is Newnham ignores the hypocrisy of Turner’s stand, not giving Redmon her release while simultaneously allowing the men’s program to recruit a guard who had signed a letter-of-intent with New Mexico and was released after the coach was fired. You could say the Huskies were following the rules in both situations, but it does stink a bit.

• The Cougars need help with their depth on the offensive line, there’s no doubt about it. There might be help on the way, though this fall might be stretch. Sehome’s Steven Ayers is headed to Pullman after being named the West’s offensive MVP at the 13th annual Earl Barden Classic All-Star game in Yakima.

• Recently graduated WSU track star Diana Pickler bounced back from a tough NCAA heptathlon to finish second at the USA Track and Field Championships and earn a trip to Japan for the Worlds.

• The Shock also bounced back, routing the Boise Burn 60-28 in the Spokane Arena. For more, check out Jessica Brown’s Shock blog.

• The first game of the College World Series championship series had a Washington tint last night, with Oregon State’s winning pitcher Jorge Reyes a recent graduate from Warden High. The righthander had some special fans in the stands, fans who had made a long trip to Omaha.

• Summer is the time for prep all-star games, including the girls’ state basketball contests, which were played Saturday at East Valley High.