Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Jim Allen: Favorite stories of 2015

By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com

Here are my favorite stories from the past year. Some are more newsworthy than others, but all carry a special memory. Here they are, in chronological order:

1. Eastern Washington QB Vernon Adams headed to Oregon

Eastern QB Vernon Adams has decided to transfer to Oregon to play his final season of college football in the Pac-12. (Tyler Tjomsland)
Eastern QB Vernon Adams has decided to transfer to Oregon to play his final season of college football in the Pac-12. (Tyler Tjomsland)

I had covered quarterback Vernon Adams since he was a freshman at Eastern. When news surfaced that he was considering leaving to quarterback at high-profile Oregon, it was the biggest sports story in Cheney. At the time I thought it was a mistake, but the move worked out well for Adams. And for Eastern? Not so much.

2. Rogers High Pirates’ hard work, trust pay off on and off the court

Rogers head coach Joel Soter gives guard Asante Fields directions during practice Tuesday in the school gym. (Colin Mulvany)
Rogers head coach Joel Soter gives guard Asante Fields directions during practice Tuesday in the school gym. (Colin Mulvany) Buy this photo

Life isn’t easy in Hillyard, so seeing the Rogers High School boys basketball team beating the likes of Ferris, Central Valley and others was the most heartwarming story of the year for me. Winning was the payoff of hard work, trust and a coach who never stopped believing in his players.

3. Triathlon runners reach finish thanks to full support

Jim Allen, right, gets direction from course volunteers during the run portion of the Troika Triathlon.
Jim Allen, right, gets direction from course volunteers during the run portion of the Troika Triathlon.

Like most good ideas at the Allen house, this was my wife’s. Dannette suggested I train for a triathlon, and I took her up on it. It was hard work, and I even wrote a six-part series on my misadventures. Here’s the final installment in the series (entitled “Tri, tri again”) which takes me to the finish line.

4. Former EWU football players make tough decision to leave game because of concussions

EWU’s Jordan Tonani, left, and Jordan Talley, made the difficult decision to quit football because of concussions concerns. (Dan Pelle)
EWU’s Jordan Tonani, left, and Jordan Talley, made the difficult decision to quit football because of concussions concerns. (Dan Pelle)

The game of football can be hard to play, but sometimes it’s even tougher to walk away from the game you love. For two Eastern Washington players who each suffered multiple concussions, it was time to consider a future away from football. Jordan Talley and Jordan Tonani opened up about their struggles.

5. After dropping 175 pounds, Spokane woman readies for Ironman

Megan Steeber, of Spokane, who once weighed 345 pounds, lost 175 pounds and began training for endurance events. Steeber, 37, will compete in her first Ironman-length triathlon on Sunday in Coeur d’Alene, joining about 2,000 others. (Dan Pelle)
Megan Steeber, of Spokane, who once weighed 345 pounds, lost 175 pounds and began training for endurance events. Steeber, 37, will compete in her first Ironman-length triathlon on Sunday in Coeur d’Alene, joining about 2,000 others. (Dan Pelle) Buy this photo

Megan Steeber has come a long way. The Spokane woman once weighed 350 pounds, but lost half her weight. She didn’t quit there, and embarked on a life-changing journey into ulta-fitness. Fun runs led to half-marathons, then the Ironman on Coeur d’Alene. She didn’t finish, but inspired thousands of readers.

6. With rainy weather, a backup camping plan can be as good as original – and a lot drier

Elizabeth Lake seen through Ptarmigan Tunnel. (Jim Allen)
Elizabeth Lake seen through Ptarmigan Tunnel. (Jim Allen)

Nothing tests a friendship like a camping trip gone wrong. A broken-down car and buckets of rain were just two of the obstacles duuring a four-day odyssey in Glacier National Park, but the four of us came out better than OK. Will we do it again? Stay tuned.

7. Stocktons reunited in Gonzaga women’s 65-52 win over Montana State

Montana State guard Lindsay Stockton, left, hugs her sister, Gonzaga guard Laura Stockton. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review)
Montana State guard Lindsay Stockton, left, hugs her sister, Gonzaga guard Laura Stockton. (Colin Mulvany / The Spokesman-Review) Buy this photo

For four years, Lindsay Stockton has been playing basketball at far-off Montana State. This year, she got some additional coaching help from her father John, who watched from the stands as Lindsay and younger sister Laura took the court against each other at the McCarthey Athletic Center. “It wasn’t easy to watch,” John said.