Dave Trimmer

PASCO – When all was said and done after the final race at the State 4A track meet on Saturday, it was Nikki Codd's day and Ashley Hutchinson's team. Inspired by Hutchinson's resolve to compete at a high level in the days after her mother Julie's unexpected death nine days ago, Codd led Mead to a second-place finish.

PASCO – Mt. Spokane took eight girls to the State 4A track meet with seven scoring points – and the one who didn't finished a heart-breaking ninth in the 3,200 meters despite a personal record by 30 seconds. That's why when the points were added up Saturday afternoon at Edgar Brown Stadium the Wildcats had secured the third-place trophy.

That Nikki Codd is going to the starting line at the State 4A track championships in Pasco this weekend as a favorite in the 800 meters and a contender in the 1,600 meters seems, well, odd in hindsight. Running, let alone racing, was never something she aspired to do until her mother made her turn out for cross country entering her freshman year at Mead to get her involved at school.

It's not true that Adam Walden became one of the best hurdlers in the state because he had to jump over any of his 14 brothers and sisters racing to the dinner table. Nor is it true that Walden is just one in a long line of great hurdlers because there is something in the water at Newport.

Rodney Stuckey, the most celebrated basketball player in Eastern Washington history, will not return for his junior season. The Spokesman-Review has confirmed that Stuckey, who declared for the NBA draft last month, has signed with Goodwin Sports Management of Seattle.

To be continued. That's probably the best thing about the 4A/3A Eastern Regional Track and Field Championships that concluded at Spokane Falls Community College Saturday afternoon.

Ashley Hutchinson knew she had to throw. She didn't know if she could. Barely a day after her mother, Julie, unexpectedly died in her sleep, the Mead senior stepped into the shot put ring at Spokane Falls Community College Friday evening with no idea what would happen next.

Jordan Roskelley was tired of being average. She was tired of being John's daughter and Jess' sister.

So many outstanding performances were weaved into the Greater Spokane League's District 8 track meet at Spokane Falls Community College Friday night, it's hard to believe the best came last. Shadle Park capped the two-day regional qualifying meet by putting together the fastest girls 1,600-meter relay in Spokane history, which they need to hold off Mead.

If you think a track meet looks like organized confusion, you're right. When Cheney and West Valley squared off for the Great Northern League championship at WV on Thursday afternoon, it appear the boys meet would come down to the 1,600-meter relay.

Most of the big plays during the Red-White Game were made by the starters, which was reflected in the 28-3 score, but that wasn't the favorite topic of conversation as the Eastern Washington football team wrapped up four weeks of spring football practice Saturday afternoon. "I think we came together," sophomore quarterback Matt Nichols said. "Last year it was a big deal, kind of having separate teams, defense and offense. This year we're coming together a lot better, everybody's rooting for each other; everybody's trying to make each other better."

Kevin Hatch had a pretty magical athletic career at Freeman High School. The Scotties made the State 1A football playoffs and basketball tournament three times. The football team marched further every season, finishing second in 2005, and the basketball team earned trophies twice.

Sean Coyle ran for the cycle and Willie Davis hit his target – sort of. Toss in a meet-closing state best in the 1,600-meter relay and Central Valley all but wrapped up the Greater Spokane League boys track championship Thursday evening at Hart Field.