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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Most likely to succeed


Freeman High's Bryan Riggs will compete in the individual 400 meters and the 4x400 relay at the state State 1A track meet Friday and Saturday at Eastern Washington University's Woodward Stadium in Cheney.
 (Liz Kishimoto / The Spokesman-Review)
Steve Christilaw Correspondent

They are the most successful class in the history of Freeman High School boys track and field.

Five seniors are headed to their final State 1A track meet Friday and Saturday at Eastern Washington University’s Woodward Stadium in Cheney.

Kevin Hatch, Bryan Riggs, Jake Richardson, Conor Sayres and Malcolm Soelberg each has had a hand in helping the Scotties to a top-three finish in each of the past three state meets, including a state championship in 2003 and a runner-up finish last year. In fact, with the exception of Soelberg, who did not turn out for track last year, the seniors are all four-year letter winners.

“Kevin is the most accomplished track athlete in school history,” coach John Hays said. “And this group is the most accomplished class in school history.

“They’re the five horsemen. It’s hard to keep seniors involved with track, especially when they’re multisport athletes. These guys have been so successful and have been great leaders for the program.”

Hays said he’s not looking past this weekend.

“It’s going to be tough to lose these five guys,” he said. “We’ll still have some good athletes, but you don’t lose a group like this one without feeling it. We had a big class of senior girls last year. Without them the girls aren’t as strong. It will be that way with the boys next year.”

Hatch, a two-event champion in each of the past two state meets, is the state’s leader in both the high jump and pole vault – an event he’s won the past two seasons. The Inland Empire Junior Athlete of the Year following a football season in which he helped the Scotties reach the state championship game, Hatch also helped the basketball team reach the state tournament.

Hatch will attempt to walk-on with the Eastern Washington University football team in the fall and will run track in the spring for the Eagles.

Soelberg qualified for state as a jumper as a freshman and sophomore before taking off last year to concentrate on basketball.

Sayres finished second to Hatch in the pole vault and third in the high jump at last year’s state meet, but will miss this weekend’s finale with an injury.

Riggs, a standout tight end and forward/guard for basketball, will run the 400 and take part in the 4x400 relay.

“Football is king at Freeman,” said Riggs, who will attempt to walk-on at the University of Montana as a football player. “The success we’ve had in football has just carried over to each new sport.”

Success at the state track breeds more success.

“We have a lot more confidence and experience going in,” Riggs said. “We’ve been there, and we know what we have to do to be successful. That helps.

“Hopefully we can pull together and put together some team points and do it one more time for Coach Hays.”