Washington wins Allstate Big Ten women's championship
SEATTLE — The University of Washington women's sports programs combined efforts have led to them being recognized as the inaugural Allstate Big Ten Women's Championship Series. This award measured conference finishes across all Big Ten women's sports for the 2025-26 academic year, according to UW Athletics. "Winning is in the DNA of Washington," said Director of Athletics Pat Chun in an interview with the Big Ten Network. "Having success across the board is something that's critically important to us."
Cougars golfer reflects on overcoming hardships of WSU career
PULLMAN — After Hannah Harrison’s freshman season with Washington State Women's Golf, she asked herself one simple question: What am I doing here if I am not playing good golf? Harrison had to sit down and talk with her parents. She remembers telling them she does not want to play golf anymore. She could not go on with it for another three years. Harrison could not have seen this drift from the sport coming. Ever since she was in middle school, collegiate golf has been her goal. Yet being a division one golfer put a strain on her relationship with the sport. She did not perform as well as she hoped during the fall season and for the first time in her career, she felt performance anxiety on the course.
From Othello to Pocatello, McDonald finds her place with Bengals softball team
OTHELLO — Before Camryn McDonald became an everyday shortstop and leadoff hitter for Idaho State, she was an Othello kid playing in front of a crowd that had known her since childhood. Three seasons into her college softball career, McDonald said that support system still shapes how she views her success with the Bengals. "It has been nothing but awesome," McDonald said. "It's fun, I play with all my best friends, and it's just been a roller coaster of emotions. We have two championships now and a tournament win, it's been exciting."
Eastern Washington football to attend Big Sky Conference kickoff weekend
CHENEY — Eastern Washington football Head Coach Aaron Best, Isaiah Perez and Malik Dotson are slated to represent the Eagles at the Big Sky Conference Kickoff Weekend in Spokane, according to EWU Athletics.
Eagles optimistic ahead of 2026 season
SPOKANE — Aaron Best the head coach of Eastern Washington football, is heading into this season optimistic, he said at the Big Sky Conference Media Kickoff Weekend.
Jenkins, Perez earn preseason All-American, All-Big Sky from Phil Steele
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Make it three preseason All-American honors for Eastern Washington University’s Jaylon Jenkins (Safety) and Isaiah Perez (Defensive Tackle). Phil Steele, American sportswriter and analyst, released his preseason All-American teams, with Jenkins placing on the second team and Perez on the third. Steele also released his preseason All-Big Sky team, with eight players representing EWU.
Cougars’ Jackie Mudd promoted to swimming associate head coach
PULLMAN — Jackie Mudd was promoted to Washington State Swimming Associated Head Coach, Head Coach Russell Whitaker announced Saturday. “Jackie has quickly established herself as an amazing recruiter for our program,” Whitaker said. “Jackie’s ability to connect with young women, to find athletes who will build on our team culture and help us continue our excellence in and out of the pool is phenomenal.”
Jaeda Gonzalez continues multisport growth as Viking in sophomore season
MOSES LAKE — For Big Bend Community College sophomore and Ephrata native Jaeda Gonzalez, the work never ceased in the offseason as she prepares to return to volleyball and softball for the Vikings. With a strong athletic career behind her and a year of collegiate experience, the sophomore has her eyes set on improving alongside the BBCC programs. “As a team, we definitely want a winning season and also fun to watch,” said Gonzelez. “We want be fun to watch for everyone else and show that we can bring it.” Her athletic career began at home as she grew up in a family that has a strong passion for sports. Gonzalez said her early years of competing were on the pitch in soccer, the hardwood of basketball and the softball diamond.
From Maverick to Warrior
Paige Richardson rises to first year challenges
MOSES LAKE — When former Moses Lake Maverick Paige Richardson first arrived at Walla Walla Community College, she did not anticipate getting to play as much softball as she did in her freshman season, she said. “I didn't know what to expect just because it's a whole different world once you step into college softball compared to high school softball,” Richardson said. “I was used to playing, pitching a lot for the Mavericks. My coach pretty much depended on two of us pitchers, and it just worked out that way, and we worked really well as a pair, and we were able to back each other up in certain scenarios, so I wasn't expecting it, but I'm glad it worked out the way it did.”
Sushik comes full circle ahead of first season at BBCC
MOSES LAKE — The next step in Liana Sushik’s athletic journey has led her to play for the Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team this fall after a successful career with the Soap Lake Eagles. Joining the Vikings is something she feels has deepened her love for the sport, she said. “I fell in love with the fact that there’s more than just high school volleyball; there’s another level,” said Sushik. “It’s like a whole new chapter and I’m so excited to see what I have next because there’s a lot that I’ve been through to get here.” Despite her success on the court, Sushik said she didn’t initially start out as an athlete.
