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Robert Guenther, Tyee
Don McFarland, Ephrata
Bob Nolan, Toledo
Gordon Robertson, Tenino
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Russ Brantner, Omak
Harlan Jackson, Everett
Bob McKean, White River
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Arvin Blankers, Lynden Christian
Burt Wells, Curtis
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Bruce Hooper, Montesano
George Olsen, A.C. Davis
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Ernie Goshorn, Lynwood
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Hugh Tower, Lakeside
John Chaplin, Wapato
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Leo Genest-Blanchet
Ed Thenell-Blanchet
Ken Ruud-Issaquah
Dave Annonen-Tumwater
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Mike Hubbard-Inglemoor
Pete Steiner-East Valley Yakima
Pat Tyson-Shorecrest, Mead
Ed Santos-South Kitsap
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Mark Cullen-University Prep
Jim Berry-Shadle Park
Mike Evans-Lakewood
Bob Mathews-Seattle Lutheran
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Michele Mathay-Puyallup
John Payne-Curtis
Bob Barbero, University
Steve Llewellyn
2000
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Don graduated from Okanogan H.S. in 1961 where he participated in football, basketball, and track & field. At Washington State University he majored in History and graduated in 1965. He taught at Washougal H.S. and Ephrata H.S. He started the cross country program at Ephrata with no pay and went on to coach cross country for 26 years. His runners have won 10 League titles and 11 District titles. Don coached 17 state qualifying teams with 2 boys’ teams and 2 girls’ teams earning State titles. His 3-individual State Champions were Staci Hunter (twice) and Greg Metcalf. In 1989, he was voted Washington State Cross Country ‘Coach of the Year’.
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Bob coached at Lake Stevens, Bellevue, and Toledo for a total of 45 years. He had 10 state qualifying teams and coached individual state champion Patty Matava.
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Gordon started cross-country programs in Oregon, Sultan, and Tenino and coached for a total of 33 years. He coached 25 state-qualifying teams.
In the Fall of 1970, Gordy, who was an assistant coach in Football, took a side job and started the cross-country program at Tenino High School. He returned to Football for three seasons before switching to Cross Country full-time in the Fall of 1974. That year was highlighted by the 9th-place state finish of Gary Moyer. Gordy took on coaching THS Girls’ Cross Country in 1976.
Coach Robertson took seven boys teams to the state championships, with the highest finish being 10th place in both 1977 and 1979. Coachie would take nine girls teams to the state championships with the highest finish being 3rd place in 1989. The girls would finish in the Top Ten eight times and also finished 4th in 1988. Individually, he coached Kris Vickers to a 2nd place finish in 1980 (before she transferred to Eisenhower). Jessica Brathovd would have three top-five finishes at state, with her highest finish of 2nd place in the Fall of 1989. Coachie was very proud to have coached one individual state champion, Tanya Robinson, who accomplished her feat in 1991.
Gordon “Coachie” Robertson was behind all of the success of Tenino Cross Country. He started the program and state appearances for Tenino begin and end with him. Not a single Tenino Cross Country team has made it to state since his retirement in 1993 (the 2020 Tenino Boys qualified for state, but the meet was not held due to Covid). But Coachie was about more than winning. He was known for how much he cared for every one of his athletes and many of them considered him a father or grandfather figure. Many have told stories about how their lives were not going in the right direction until Coachie provided encouragement and direction toward better choices and a brighter future. Gordy was inducted into the Washington State Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Bob coached at Tyee for 33 years. His boys teams won consecutive state state titles in 1975 and 1976.
2001
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Russ graduated from Omak HS in 1965 where he ran on the track team. He went to CWU and graduated in 1969 with degrees in Math, Electronics, and Chemistry. He coached and taught math for 31 years back at his Omak High School. Russ’ teams captured 11 State Team Titles, 7 for the boys and 4 for the girls. His individual state champions were Shad James(1989) , Matt Harriman(1998-1999) & Emily Turner (1999). In addition to the 11 state titles, Russ’s teams won 28 trophies in 20 years . Russ was selected as Northwest US Boys Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1998 and Washington State CC Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
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Harlan attended Bellingham H.S. and graduated in 1961. He went to Western Washington University and graduated in 1966 with a degree in Physical Education. He taught over 30 years in the Everett School District and coached cross country for 28 years. His teams captured 6 League titles and qualified for State 11 times. The Everett girls’ team won the State Championship in 1981 and Harlan coached Molly O’Neil to the first official State title in 1975. Everett was the first high school in the state to run a girl in a boys’ cross country race, 2-years before cross country became a WIAA official girls sport.
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Bob coached 13 years at Thorp and White River. He coached 2 League Champions and 2 West Central District Champion teams. He got started in Cross Country after a group of distance runners in track asked him to help them in the distances. Bob coached Andy Maris to individual state titles in 1988 and 1999 and Doreen LeVander to a 2nd place finish at State in 1986. After retiring, Bob continued as a volunteer and announcer at the state meet through 2012. Bob also coached Track & Field for over 20 years.
Bob was born in Aberdeen, WA and lived in Hoquiam until he went to Central WA State College in Ellensburg, now Central WA University, where he graduated with a BA in Education in 1964. Bob achieved one of his goals in the education field when he acquired a Master’s in Education from WSU.
His first teaching job was in Pateros, WA in a 5th grade classroom in 1964. He moved to Cosmopolis, WA while studying to become a school administrator. He advanced his role in the education communities of Sifton, Benton City, Thorp, and finally Crescent School District in Joyce, WA where he was superintendent for 6 years. He then changed his focus and went back into the classroom as a teacher. He taught in Neah Bay, WA, White River in Buckley at the middle and high school levels, and finally at Chief Leschi in Puyallup before he retired.
Not only did he teach he also got involved with young people in service clubs, athletic events, and coaching. He was at various times a coach, a football official, a basketball official, volleyball and baseball got some attention from him as well. Track and field held his attention in the spring and cross country in the fall.
Bob was very active in the Buckley Kiwanis group and also held many administrative positions in that organization.
After he retired from teaching and coaching he decided to get his real estate license and that is what has kept him busy. Bob continued to officiate football at the high school level with the Western Washington Football Officials’ Association where he eventually was instrumental in the development of an evaluation system with this organization. He was the announcer known locally as the “Voice of the River” at home football and girls basketball games as well as track and field and cross-country events.
He married Barbara and they celebrated their 48th anniversary the 19th of December 2012. Bob had two sons (Scott & Jay) and four grandchildren. Bob passed away in January 2013.
2002
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Arvin graduated from Lynden H.S. in 1956. He attended Western Washington University and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Math. Arvin taught Algebra & Calculus at Lynden Christian H.S. and coached Cross Country at the school for 24 years. He sent both teams and individuals to State for 17 years of his career. His teams won 6 League titles and qualified for State on 9 occasions. His girls teams captured a 2nd and a 3rd place at state.
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Burt Wells coached for 18 years at Curtis. He won 15 League titles and had 14 state qualifying teams. His boys team won state titles in 1965, 1971, 1973, & 1974. Burt was a pioneer cross-country coach in the South Sound and the state of Washington. He was one of the first to realize that tough athletic kids don’t have to play football in the fall to show their toughness but can run cross country. Burt himself was an avid runner before the road racing days and was an advocate for cross-country courses that challenged the athlete physically…the more hills the better. He greeted all students who wanted to run with open arms and found a way to encourage each of his athletes to give their best effort, regardless of their ability. Burt enjoyed bonding with fellow coaches and was always willing to share training information. Opposing coaches knew facing a Curtis team was the toughest challenge on their cross-country schedule. His legacy of wearing the “Curtis Blue ” and its toughness lives on today.
2003
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Bruce graduated from Montesano in 1964 and coached cross country there for 14 years. His teams won 14 League titles and 6 District titles. He coached 13 top-8 team finishes at the state meet.
He also coached 2 Individual State Champions, 9 District Champions, and 13 League Champions.
His runners set and broke the league and district course records 6 times. One state champion Brent Hooper set the 1A State Course Record at 14:56 in 1988.
His fondest memory was being able to be part of coaching his two sons, Brad and Brent Hooper. “I was lucky to get a front-row seat to two individual state championships, 4 district championships, and 5 league championships, and over 20 course records of my two sons. It was an absolute blessing.” Bruce also stated, “My wife Pat and my two boys helped my success in coaching. The tireless work they all did set a tone for success of Montesano High School Cross Country. I couldn’t have done it without them. Lastly, the town of Montesano treated Cross Country like most small towns treat football–they valued it so much. We would get a car procession out of town as we left for the State Championships. The students in this town wanting to run and run at a high level was the crowning factor of Montesano being so good for so long in Cross Country and allowed me to be successful here. I love this place!”
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George Olsen grew up in Yakima, attending Eisenhower High School (’61). He ran track for the legendary coach Don Holder and was coached in his distance events by fellow WATFXC Hall of Fame member Art Hutton. The mile was the only distance event run in high school at that time and cross country was not yet an official high school sport. In the fall of his senior year, he heard from coach Hutton about an open cross-country race in Seattle at Green Lake. He entered it and finished 14th, his first foray into the sport. He recalled that the state started an official state cross-country meet the following fall, 1961.
George continued his education and running at Yakima Valley College (’63) and Central Washington University (’67), running the mile and 2-mile events. By that time Art Hutton had moved on from Eisenhower to CWU, so their paths crossed again.
George started coaching at A.C. Davis HS in 1969 and continued for 28 years until his retirement in 1997. His boys team placed 2nd in state in 1975 and 3rd in 1976. Athletes he mentioned that did well in his program at Davis and went on to have successful college careers include Jim Hennessy, Toby Suhm, Tom Hamel, Matt Knox, Jose Garcia, and Matt Humann.
Jose Garcia returned to Yakima after attending Occidental College and took over the cross-country program when George retired in 1996. After a successful running career at Central Washington University, Jim Hennessy followed in George’s footsteps and had a 25-year career coaching Cross Country at Franklin High School in Portland, Oregon.
In 1975, he teamed up with his former high school and Central Washington U. coach Art Hutton and Ferris High School coach Herm Caviness to start the Clear Lake X-Country camp. It was one of the first running camps of its kind at the time. George coached at the camp for 10 years. It continues today, 47 years later under the leadership of Eisenhower High School coach Phil English, as the Clear Lake/White Pass cross-country camp. It is the oldest continuously running cross-country camp in the Northwest.
When asked who where his inspirations for pursuing a career in teaching and coaching, George mentioned his junior high and high school track coach Don Holder, and his high school and CWU distance coach Art Hutton. He said, “I remember thinking at the time if I could influence even one athlete the way Don Holder influenced me, I’d feel like I’d been a successful coach.” It is safe to say that George Olsen influenced hundreds of athletes during his coaching career.
2004
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Ernie coached at Lynnwood for 34 years. His girls won state championships in 1988, 1989 & 1990. The boys won in 1993 & 1994. He was the Everett Herald’s Man Of The Year in 1996.
2005
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Hugh graduated from Narbonne HS in California in 1962, running CC and track his senior year. He attended Humboldt State and graduated from San Francisco State in 1968 with a degree in History. He taught for 30 years at Lakeside in Seattle and coached cross country for 20 years.
His boys captured 7 Metro League titles and his girls 13. Hugh had 27 state qualifying teams, 12 boys and 15 girls. Lakeside won the Boys State Title in 1980 and his girls earned their State Titles in 1982 and 1991. Hugh’s two individual state champions were Helen Wilburn in 1988 and Susanna Matson in 1990.
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John introduced cross country to the Yakima Valley League while at Wapato High. He coached at WSU where he was meet director of the Pac-10 Cross Country championships and the NCAA Cross Country Championships many times. His teams finished 9 times in the top 10 at the NCAA’s. He coached 17 NCAA individual Cross Country champions who went on to capture 37 gold medals.
2006
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Leo coached boys and girls CC at Blanchet. He qualified 22 boys teams and 9 girls teams to state. His boys captured state titles in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1991, 1992, and 2001.
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Ed started the CC program at Blanchet. He won 2 Western Conference Championships and had teams competing at state from 1964-1972.
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Ken grew up in Hillsboro, OR and later graduated from Pacific Lutheran University. He started coaching boys cross country in 1965 at Issaquah High School, where he was teaching math. He was the boys coach from 1965-2002 and the girls coach from 1975-2002. His boys overall record in the 38 years he coached was 260-141. They were Kingco champions for 4 years, qualified for state 11 times and had a state champion runner in 1979. The girls team had a record of 252-34 in the 28 years he coached them, including 11 unbeaten regular seasons. The girls team were Kingo champions 10 times, District champions 7 times and State qualifiers 19 times. They became a dominant force in the 80s and were State champions in 1985, 1986, & 1987. Ken also coached track and field for many years at Issaquah High School.
Ken coached at Issaquah from l965-2002. His boys qualified for state 11 times and his girls had 19 state appearances. The girls teams won state in 1985, 1986, and 1987.
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Dave coached 32 years at Tumwater. He had 13 boys and 14 girls teams qualifying for the state meet. His 1984 girls team captured 2nd at state.
2007
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A 1977 graduate of Washington High School, Ed Santos participated in track & cross-country. He continued his running at Tacoma Community College. Santos graduated from Western Washington University in 1983 with a degree in physical education. For the past twenty-five years, he has worked in the South Kitsap School District. While teaching elementary physical education, Santos started the South Kitsap School District Elementary School Cross-Country Championship, a meet which has been in existence for the past twenty-four years. Santos got his start as an assistant coach at South Kitsap High School under Lloyd Pugh. For the past sixteen years, he has served as head coach. During his tenure, South Kitsap High School claimed thirteen league titles. The girls’ team qualified for the state meet all sixteen years of his coaching career. The boys had thirteen state meet appearances. In 1997, Ed’s girls won the 4A state championship. They were ranked 19th in the U.S. by Harrier magazine. Under Santos, South Kitsap teams had twenty-seven Top 10 performances in the state meet. Kim Schmolka claimed the individual 3A state title in 1991 for South Kitsap. Presently, Ed Santos is the Director of Athletics for the South Kitsap School District. He is also the Athletic Director in charge of track & cross-country for the Narrows League. Ed has been married to his wife Becky for the past twenty-three years. They have two children – Ethan & Isaac & make their home in Olalla, Washington.
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A 1969 graduate of West Seattle High School, Mike Hubbard ran track & cross-country. He finished 29th in the ’64 University of Washington Invitational (Then the cross-country state meet). Hubbard continued his education at Washington State University where he majored in math. He was a member of the Cougar team which claimed fifth place in the NCAA meet in Lawrence, Kansas. Gerry Lindgren claimed the individual title. Hubbard started a cross-country program at Canyon Park Junior High School in 1970. His coaching career spans thirty years. During this time, Hubbard has coached at Bothell High School (1982) & Inglemoor High School (1983-2000). Hubbard’s boys’ teams qualified for the state meet in 1989, 1994 & 1995. Their best finish was seventh (1995). Hubbard coached such notable distance runners as John Quade, Lora & Brenda Funk, Valerie Wawrzycki, Stevie Roark, Mark David, Efrom Kidane & Adam Eggers. A math teacher his entire career, Hubbard said the highlight of his coaching career was “sharing his love of running with students, many of whom continued to run long after high school & college. Mike has been married these past thirty-eight years to his wife, Barbara. They have two children – Jon & Julie. Retired in 2001, Hubbard continues to work at the state track & cross-country championships. He is the author of the book “State: A History Of The Washington State Cross-Country Meet”.
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A 1968 graduate of Lincoln High School, Pat Tyson grew up in Tacoma, Washington where he participated in track & cross-country. He continued his running at the University of Oregon under the tutelage of legendary coach, Bill Bowerman. During this time, Pat was a close friend & roommate of Steve Prefontaine. After earning a B.A. degree in history in 1973, Pat began his teaching/coaching career. He spent his first seven years coaching at the junior high school level (Morgan & Kellogg) in the Shoreline School District. He quickly gained a reputation as the “pied piper” of distance running. Pat then spent three years at Shorecrest High School where his teams claimed two state cross-country titles. From there, Tyson traveled east of the mountains to Spokane, Washington. He spent the next twenty years developing a distance running dynasty at Mead High School. During this time, his boys’ teams claimed twelve state titles. They also garnered a couple #1 national rankings. Distance running greats such as Chris Lewis, Greg Kuntz, Matthew Davis, Nathan Davis, Micah Davis, Greg James, Rob Aubrey, Matt Lowe, Jesse Fayant, Laef Barnes, Evan Garber & Skiy DeTray were all coached by Pat Tyson. After a brief stint at the University of Kentucky, came back to take over the program at Gonzaga University.
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Pete Steiner grew up in Auburn, Washington. A 1975 graduate of Auburn High School, Pete played football, downhill ski racing, & track & field. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 1984 with a degree in Exercise Science. Steiner went on to earn his Masters in Health Education from Central Washington University in 1990. During his career as an educator, Pete Steiner has taught physical education, psychology, health & science. His cross-country coaching career began at Green River Community College with Mike Behrbaum. Behrbuam encouraged Pete to pursue a teaching degree & get involved in coaching. From 1983-1985, Steiner coached with Mark Cullen at Seattle’s University Prep. The next few years were spent at Utah’s Bountiful High School (1986) & Central Washington University (1988-1989). In 1992, Steiner landed the head coaching job at East Valley High School (Yakima). He remained at the helm until 2005. During his career, Pete Steiner’s boys’ claimed eight league titles. His girls’ claimed four. The boys’ & girls’ also combined for nine district titles. Both squads won three state titles apiece. Collectively, his boys’ & girls’ teams had twelve top four finishes in the state meet. Outstanding runners included Brandon Hauver (state runner-up), Matt Owen (2-time state cross country champion), Breanne Siebol (state cross country champion), Brett Murphy & Allison Gibson. In 1989, Pete Steiner lead the Central Washington University Women’s Cross Country team to their highest finish ever (15th) at the N.A.I.A. National Meet. In 2006, he was selected Section Coach of the Year. Asked about his most rewarding achievements as a coach, Steiner said – “The relationships I’ve made with athletes, parents & coaches.” Steiner continues to teach biology at East Valley High School. In his free time, he enjoys family, fishing & anxiously awaits the return of the Husky football team to its Pac-10 dominance. Married the past twenty years to his wife, Angie, the Steiner’s have two children – Laura (11) & Josh (7). They make their home in Yakima, Washington.
2008
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Jim Berry grew up in Spokane, Washington. He attended West Valley High School & graduated in 1948. During that time, he was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball & track). After high school, Berry attended the University of Washington for one year on a track scholarship. He then transferred to Eastern University where he earned an education degree in 1956. While at Eastern, he participated in track. His main event was the 2-mile.
Berry taught social studies & history for ten years. He got his start coaching cross country under Tracy Walters at Rogers High School (Spokane). When the cross-country job opened up at Shadle Park High School, Jim applied. He coached for ten years eventually giving it up to start a business in the medical field. During his coaching career, Jim Berry had four state-qualifying teams. They won two state titles, and placed second & third.
Berry’s fondest memories include the many great kids he had the privilege of coaching. He and his wife have three children (Katherine, Bruce & Luanne) & six grandchildren. Recalling his coaching days, Jim Berry had this to say – “Life was simpler when I was a coach. We didn’t travel much, & when we did, it was usually to somewhere like Moses Lake. The biggest worry was whether of not the van would make it there & back!”
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Mark Cullen was born in Boston, Massachusetts. Five weeks later, he moved. This set the tone for things to come. Cullen never went to the same school more than two years in a row. He attended a boarding school during high school & graduated from The Athenian School in Danville, California in 1970. After high school, Cullen attended Hampshire College in Amherst, Maine, for one year. He then transferred to the University of Oregon where he graduated with a degree in history in 1975.
Cullen began running in the fall of 1971 in Bill Bowerman’s “Hamburgers” beginning jogging class. He was a devoted runner for seven years until an injury brought his running career to an abrupt end. His two best performances included a 1:10:49 20K & 1:15:50 half marathon.
His professional career involved teaching history & geography for thirty-two years at Seattle’s University Prep. This included a twenty-one-year stint as athletic director. Cullen coached cross country from 1981 to 2006. During that time, he had five state-qualifying teams. His 1983 boys’ squad was the only “B” team to qualify for the A/B state meet. Cullen’s ’91 & ’92 teams placed 5th in the “B” boys’ state meet.
Cullen considers his most rewarding achievements as developing the cross country/track & field programs at University Prep. He also sites his relationship with his athletes & the profound long-term impact running has had on their lives, as well as his association & friendship with coaches across the state. Mark Cullen is the past president of the Washington State Cross Country Coaches’ Association (2000-2006).
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Mike Evans grew up in Marysville, Washington. He graduated from Marysville High School in 1967. From 1967-1970, her served in the navy. Evans began his teaching career in the Lakewood School District in 1974. He spent his entire thirty year career at Lakewood. Evans started the cross country program in 1981. He held the head coaching position until his retirement in 2004. During his career, Evans’ teams claimed four state titles. The boys won in 1989 & the girls won state titles in ’91, ’93 & ’94. Second in 1984, the boys’ team earned their first state meet appearance at Spokane’s Hangman Valley Golf Course. Since then, the boys have been back to state every year.
Mike Evans most rewarding achievements include his great family (Cindy, Lance & Devony), who have always supported him through the good & bad times. He also sights his ability to surround himself with great people, such as current Lakewood cross country/track & field coach Jeff Sowards & his family. Finally, Evans treasures the relationship that he still has with many of his former athletes.
Reflecting on his coaching career, Evans had this to say – “Wins & losses have never been my ‘guiding light’ in coaching. I just knew that if I studied hard, taught to the best of my abilities, surrounded myself with self-motivated people, tried hard to give each young athlete the tools they needed to be successful on & off the field, &, as a result, the wins would fall in line with the program.”
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Bob Matthews admits to growing up an “army brat”. He spent his early years jumping between California, Japan, Washington D.C., Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Bogota, Columbia, & Hong Kong. He graduated from Hong Kong’s LaSalle College (high school) in 1967. During that time, he participated in cross country, swimming & track & field.
Bob continued his running at the University of Tennessee (1967-1971) where he competed in the high hurdles. He was on winning relay teams at the Penn Relays & Florida Relays. His degree was in history.
After college, Bob taught history & coached cross country/track & field at Seattle Lutheran High School from 1981 to 2001. While the head coach of cross country/track & field, his teams claimed sixty-four league titles & three state championships (boys’ & girls’ cross country teams in 1992/boys’ track & field in 1989). After retirement, Bob came back and coached as a track and cross-country assistant for Peninsula High School.
2009
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Michele graduated from Lincoln H.S. (Seattle) in 1970. Unfortunately, there were no team sports offered for girls during her school years. However, she did study ballet at the Cornish School for the Arts for 9 years. She was a Para Educator for the Puyallup School District and coached both cross country and track & field at Puyallup H.S. Her boys teams were League Champs 11 times and her girls teams captured 4 League Titles. In addition, Michele qualified 10 boys teams to State and 8 girls teams. Her dual meet record was 125 – 15 for boys and 107 -31 for the girls.
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John grew up in Gig Harbor and graduated from Peninsula H.S. in 1968. He attended University of Puget Sound and graduated with a degree in History in l974. He coached at Curtis J.H. and Curtis H.S. John qualified both his boys’ and girls’ cross country teams to state during the l990’s and his boys’ and girls’ teams placed 3rd and 4th in 1992 and 1993 respectively. After retirement from coaching John stayed involved with the sport, working with the South Sound Cross Country Camp and as meet director for The Westside Classic (the multi-district cross country championships).
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Bob graduated from West Valley-Spokane H.S. in l970 where he ran Cross Country and Track & Field.
He graduated from Eastern Washington University in l974 with a degree in Math. Bob coached at Davenport H.S., University H.S., and finished his coaching career at Mt. Spokane H.S. His boys’ teams qualified for State 11 times and his girls’ teams twice. His boys’ teams won state titles in l997, 1998, and 1999. In addition, his Titans placed 2nd in 1989, 1990, 1996, and 2000. His individual state champions included Ian Johnson (1998) and Megan O’Reilly (Mt. Spokane) in track.
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Steve grew up in the Spokane Valley and graduated from East Valley H. S. in l964 where he lettered in Cross Country. He graduated from Washington State University in 1968 and Gonzaga Law School in 1975. He coached at West Valley High School and University High School. His girls’ teams had 9state qualifying teams and captured the State title in 1992. Steve also coached Junior Olympic Cross Country and Track& Field and was named the Washington State ‘Coach of the Year’ for Cross Country in 1992.