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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cheney’s Katie Kimball sets example


Cheney's Katie Kimball finishes first in the girls 300 low hurdles at the state 3A track and field meet in Pasco last year. 
 (File/ / The Spokesman-Review)
Mike Boyle Correspondent

In an age when athletes are often judged by how flashy they are, Cheney High School hurdler Katie Kimball is a throwback, an athlete whose achievements are outweighed only by her character.

“She’s just a good example to the other athletes – girls and boys – of what it really means to be a champion in every way, not just as a track athlete, but a human being,” said Cheney girls track coach Joan Hisaw. “She’s just a class act.

“She exemplifies what a scholar athlete should be. She’s so caring and so supportive of everyone on the team, and (has) a great sense of humor. She just blends in.

“You wouldn’t recognize her as a state champion if you came out to the track and looked at all the athletes. She’s just Katie. We all just enjoy being around her.”

Kimball is being counted on to lead the Blackhawks on and off the track in her final season at Cheney. The defending state 3A champion in the 300-meter hurdles still has vivid memories of her ultimate athletic achievement from last spring.

“That was probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever had – just complete relief, really,” Kimball said. ” I achieved the goal.

“It was a huge goal, and to actually achieve it was a huge relief and a triumph.”

The road to hurdling success began as unassumingly as Kimball’s demeanor during her freshman year at Cheney.

“I had never done track or anything, so we’re just in the hallway and I had a friend who was in the hurdles,” Kimball said. “I didn’t want to go by myself anywhere, so I just followed her.

“I did a couple of the drills my coaches gave to me, and they said I was a hurdler, so that’s what I did.”

Kimball’s success over the following three years can be traced to a never-ending work regimen, along with an innate ability to learn the art of hurdling quickly.

“She is kinetically pretty aware of where her body parts are and where they need to be,” said Kimball’s hurdle coach, Curt Hisaw. “She has the ability, probably better than any hurdler I’ve coached, boy or girl, to listen to what I’m asking her to do and try it a couple of times and say, ‘I’ve got it,’ and she does.”

Kimball, who is in her second year of the Running Start academic program, which allows her to take college courses while going to Cheney High School, shows her talent off the track as well, playing the piano.

“My mom played a little bit, and we had a piano at home,” Kimball said. “My grandma was teaching my older brother, and I thought, ‘Wait, I want to play too!’

“When I turned 7, she started teaching me. Then I moved up to some other teachers, and right now I have an artist teacher. I’ll know I’ll use it the rest of my life.

“Right now, I’m playing for my church, so I know that could continue longer.”

Not surprisingly, Kimball is not as motivated as she once was to defend her track crown.

“It’s actually hard to come out and again knowing I’m not chasing girls now; they’re chasing me now,” Kimball said. “I’m coming out at the top.

“Sometimes I feel I can’t do any better; I’ve done the best I’ve wanted to do. This year, I think my goal has changed from last year.

“Last year I really wanted to come out and win and be the best. I have goals. I want to defend my title and win again, but I don’t think it’s my first and foremost goal.

“The reason I’m out there on the track again is because I think God wants me there for the purpose of being a leader and helping the freshmen and sophomores achieve their goals.”