Letters To The Editor

Another story on Davis’ grit

I enjoyed reading John Blanchette’s article about Matt Davis (Nov. 27, “Injury can’t keep Davis from shining”). If ever a young athlete deserved some space in the sports section, it is Matt.

You mentioned how Matt overcame the stress fracture to compete in the NCAA Cross Country Championships and went on to place fifth and was the second American. This is just business as usual for Matt, it seems. He has been overcoming the odds at least since he was a freshman in high school.

Let me tell you another story about Matt’s grit.

The summer before his freshman year, he attended a cross country camp at White Pass along with many other local runners - Ryan Cross, Stephen Barbieri and Ty Whitten, among others. The day before the camp ended, the runners ran up the ski slope and planned to catch the chair lift, running for the tourist season, down.

The chairlift operator overloaded the lift and the result was a runaway lift. Some of the runners were able to jump off before the chair slammed into the lodge wall (some chairs actually came off the cable and slammed into the wall) and escaped injury. Several other athletes were not so lucky and were injured as the chairs whipped them against the wall. Matt was one of the unlucky ones and suffered a broken leg.

The injury knocked Matt out of the upcoming season or, very likely, he would have placed and possibly won the state championship that year as he did for the next three. Instead, Matt trained with a bicycle until he was able to to run again, then came back his sophomore year to begin his unbelievable run as top runner in Washington.

I don’t know Matt well personally. I do know he was held in the highest esteem by my son, who had the privilege to compete against him and considered him a friend. Since Ryan can’t tell this story, I thought I would.

Editor’s note: Cross’ son, Ryan, was a cross country standout at University High School, who drowned last February in an ice-covered irrigation canal near Missoula, where he was attending the University of Montana. Barry C. Cross Spokane

Playfair needs our support

I would like to congratulate Playfair Race Course on being awarded winter racing dates. This is a wonderful track with a lot of potential. It needs us as much as we need it.

I plan to patronize the facilities during its winter season. Without us, it won’t succeed. For a few dollars per person, Playfair provides an afternoon or evening of entertainment. That is a great deal when you compare it to some other activities.

If you want to keep Playfair, take a few hours and go to the track. See what it has to offer. Chances are you won’t be disappointed.

The track is part of our history, so please don’t let Playfair die. Angela D. Renzi Spokane

Montanans don’t need the money

It is with much disgust I write this after reading the article “Illegal pheasants run up a bill” in the Nov. 17 Outdoors and Travel.

The article explained that two Washington hunters had been caught with 59 pheasants over the limit, but one of the hunters felt the $2,875 in fines was a bad rap because he and his group spend upward of $10,000 in Montana every year. He suggested most Montanans would prefer to get the revenue rather than limit the number of birds killed.

Let me assure you, being a bird hunter and a former 30-year resident of Montana, most Montanans do not prefer the revenue. On the contrary, most Montanans would prefer these two clowns, who feel because they have to pay to hunt they have the right to break the law, stay home. Montana does not want you or your money. Montana, like Idaho, feels natural resources are far too valuable to be abused by out-of-state money. Keep your money, and your attitude, where they both belong - in Washington. Henry Hamill Coeur d’Alene

MEMO: We welcome letters of up to 300 words on all sports and outdoors topics. All letters are subject to editing. Writers are limited to one letter a month. Please include your signature, street address and telephone number where you can be reached for verification. Send to Letters to the Sports Editor, The Spokesman-Review, 999 W. Riverside, Spokane 99201, or fax to (509) 459-5098, or e-mail to sports@spokesman.com. To dictate a letter by telephone, call 458-8800 and enter the four-digit code, 4855. S-R sports staff Sports editor: Jeff Jordan Assistant sports editor: Joe Palmquist Outdoors editor: Rich Landers Columnist: John Blanchette Reporters: Steve Bergum, Chris Derrick, Hilary Kraus, Greg Lee, Jim Meehan, Mike Sando, Dave Trimmer, Mike Vlahovich, Dan Weaver Copy desk: Gil Hulse, David Oriard, Geoff Pinnock, Ralph Walter Stats desk: Kory Boatman, Katharine Kumangai Contributors: Paul Delaney, Jim Price, Fenton Roskelley, Chuck Stewart