G-Prep thrower Erica Chaney competes even in off-season

The essence of high school competitive athletics is, of course, competition, but an examination of the Gonzaga Prep career of senior Erica Chaney shows that there’s still a place for love of the game.

There is a diminishing number of three-sport athletes at the 4A prep level, and the number is smaller still when one counts how many of those participate not necessarily because they excel at all three, but instead just for the fun of it.

Make no mistake about it – Chaney is a truly outstanding thrower in the field events, finishing second last spring in the 4A state meet with a personal best of 41 feet, 4 inches. And that’s not even her best event, according to G-Prep coach Joe Feryn, who says she would have qualified in the discus if not for a bad day in the district meet.

So what does Chaney do in the off-season? Well, there is no off-season, because besides competing in Junior Olympics track and field events, she plays basketball in the winter and, last fall, competed in cross country for the first time in high school.

“At the time, I thought I was doing cross country because my dad made me,” she said, “but as it turned out, I would have done it anyway. It helped me gain speed, which I also worked on during basketball season.

“The main thing is that it turned out to be fun. I just like doing sports. I got to meet a lot of different people even though I wasn’t really good at it. I finished last in all but two of my meets, but I got better at it.”

And continued to earn the admiration of Feryn, who coaches boys cross country and was overjoyed to see Chaney turn out for the girls team.

“It meant so much to me to see someone who wouldn’t ordinarily be out there, just because she loves to compete and get better at everything she does.”

Chaney, who also will throw the javelin occasionally this spring, came to Gonzaga from Cheney Middle School, and has consistently developed over the past four seasons. Her father, Donald, was a shot-putter in his younger days and is a part-time assistant coach for the girls team.

She, her Air Force dad and two older brothers moved to Spokane from Panama City, Fla., several years ago. Chaney’s mother died when Erica was 8 years old.

“My dad and I have a pretty good relationship,” she said. “At times when it gets real intense, it’s hard to have your dad for a coach, and then you’d just rather have him be your dad. But he’s helped me out a lot.”

Her dad chose Gonzaga, Chaney says, because he felt she needed both academic and athletic challenges. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing during the last four years, she says, but she has enjoyed her experience and has worked hard for her grades, “even if they’re not always the best-looking.”

Feryn describes Chaney as “one of the kindest, friendliest and most easygoing people I know.

“She’s quiet at first,” he said, “and comes across as introverted. But I’ve seen her blossom over the last four years. And I think she’s really begun to see what it means to leave a legacy in our program.

“Gonzaga Prep has been successful athletically for a long time, but in track we’ve often struggled to be competitive. What I see in Erica is a focus on the team, a willingness to do whatever it takes to help out and a desire to help the younger girls have a good experience.

“Erica’s a real track kid. She loves to be part of the experience. It’s exciting for her to be there and to enjoy the competition.”

He and Chaney agree that her focus and competitiveness helped her rebound from her discus disappointment last spring to earn a medal in the shot put at state. She’s hoping for a return trip this spring, in both events, and plans to continue her career in college, either at Eastern Washington University or the University of Redlands.

Where, without a doubt, she’ll compete like a champion, but never forget that it’s also about having fun.