Jim Allen

Shelby Mills must be a fast learner. It was only a year ago that the Gonzaga distance runner was introduced to the steeplechase. This afternoon, Mills will be introduced to 10,000-plus fans as the first GU athlete to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field National Championships.

Two local distance runners took different paths to 3,200-meter state titles Thursday night. Shania Graham of Republic was propelled by past disappointment to win the Class 1B championship, while Tracy Melville of Lind-Ritzville was pushed by a friendly rivalry to take the Class 2B title.

Brian Choate called it “probably the best moment of my life.” Better ones may follow for the Central Valley senior, but this will do just fine for now. Deep into overtime Saturday afternoon, CV and visiting Pasco seemed headed toward a penalty-kick shootout that would send the winner to the State 4A soccer semifinals. Though down a man, Pasco was mounting another counterattack when midfielder Noah Whitman made a sliding tackle, won the ball and passed it upfield.

Life couldn’t be much better for the Central Valley boys soccer team. The Bears are 16-0 and favored to beat Davis of Yakima in their first-round state 4A match Wednesday night at CV.

A year from now, Phillip Puccino will be jumping out of airplanes. Perhaps the exhilaration will match his final track and field season at Eastern Washington, but it’s no sure bet. “I’m exhausted, but it was a blast, I couldn’t ask for a better way to go out,” Puccino said as he walked off the podium Saturday afternoon with a third-place medal in the triple jump at the Big Sky Conference Track and Field Championships at Roos Field.

So what’s tougher: rising to expectations, or exceeding them? Two Eastern Washington athletes handled both situations with remarkable success Friday at the Big Sky Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Cheney.

Months ago, the Lewis and Clark soccer players had a hunch that this could be a special season. On Thursday night at Joe Albi Stadium, LC goalkeeper Jeremy Ratcliff had another hunch – one that put the Tigers a win away from the state tournament.

The Mt. Spokane boys soccer team showed a lot of character Tuesday night. No surprise there: The Wildcats have been building character all season long, one loss at a time.

For different reasons, a trio of Greater Spokane League boys soccer teams have cause to be optimistic going into this week’s 4A regional matches. • For Central Valley, it’s the confidence borne of a 15-0 record as the Bears play at Pasco tonight for a berth at state.

It was almost surreal what the Spokane Shadow accomplished last soccer season. After a nine-year absence, coach Chad Brown and his players not only brought a league trophy back to Spokane, they also brought fans back into the stands.

It was almost surreal what the Spokane Shadow soccer team accomplished last season. By the end of the inaugural Evergreen Premier League (EPLWA) season, the Shadow went unbeaten in their last 12 matches and took the championship and also led the EPLWA in attendance.