MIKE MAYNARD

Knights cross country ready to work

ROYAL CITY – For the Knights cross country team, it’s about more than getting to the finish line. Head Coach Ben Orth said it's about becoming your best self. “It's a competition amongst other teams, but the challenge is to be the best version of ourselves as we can be, and that's just the beauty of what cross country really is,” he said. “Every kid has to realize that challenge and be consistent, be disciplined, and put in the work and feed their bodies with good nutrition and get good sleep and all those things that help us make those incremental improvements.”

Trainers, coaches, athletes discuss benefits of summer programs

MOSES LAKE – As high school sports kick off this weekend, that means summer athletics is officially coming to an end. Local athletes all over the Basin have spent their summer playing in leagues like the Central Washington Sixers program.

COLUMN: Huskies enter Big Ten strong

The first weekend of college football is in the books. Fans were treated to highly competitive matchups like Ohio State versus Texas, Miami versus Notre Dame or LSU versus Clemson. While each of those top matchups delivered on their hype, I was also paying attention to another situation.

‘Softball saved me’

Ciarrah Knoll discusses her unwavering love for softball

MOSES LAKE – Ciarrah Knoll’s journey through softball is full of twists and turns to say the least. However, her love for the sport was never lost. In fact, she said the sport has somewhat saved her. “Softball was definitely my escape,” she said. “It was my way to just put my mind at ease. I would always ask my dad, like, ‘Hey, can we just go to the fields? Even if it's just for two buckets of BP, like whatever it may be, can we just go to the fields?’ And he was always willing to do that with me.”

Memorial bench to honor local community members

MOSES LAKE – On Friday, a park bench will be unveiled to honor the memory and legacy of Don and Mary Cunnington. Event organizer Rich Victor is excited to celebrate two members of the Moses Lake community that had an impact on him, he said.

McGill earns offensive player of week after Rodeo Bowl win

ELLENSBURG – Wildcats quarterback Kennedy McGill was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week, according to a statement by the conference. This comes after he aided the Wildcats to a 41-14 win over Colorado Mesa in the Rodeo Bowl.

Mavericks slow pitch motivated to win this fall

MOSES LAKE – After a strong 17-6 slow pitch season last fall, the Mavericks are eager to top their semifinal appearance in states this year. As the school year has started, they have returned to the field for practice.

Wahluke ready to prove they belong

MATTAWA — When Wahluke Warriors Head Coach Anfernee Cortez looks back at last season, he sees a great learning opportunity. Though they went 2-7, the Warriors headed into the off-season motivated to make a change, he said. “I know we didn't have the season we wanted or expected, but that just gave us a better mindset of how we need to attack the off-season and the things we need to do to get better," Cortez said. “I think that has been helping us create a mentality of the type of work we need to be doing, and the type of commitment we need.”

Jacks ready for new chapter under new leadership

QUINCY — This season, the Jacks will be under a new leadership but led by a familiar face: Seth Longwill. Longwill takes over as the Jacks new head coach this season and is focused on taking a different approach to practice. “We're really going to focus on doing the practices the right way," Longwill said. “We've already talked about our mentality in the off-season as well in the weight room and everything."

Broncos looking to make memorable gallop onto the field

RITZVILLE – As the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos hit the gridiron for the first time this season, senior Jerod Harder hopes to leave an impact. When he thinks about what kind of impact, he said he wants it to be a memorable one. “I want coaches to remember me, the town to remember me. I do this for my family. My family loves football, I love football. I just want to have fun and play the game and leave a leave a statement,” Harder said.

ACH Warriors hoping to rebound this season

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors put together a strong 10-3 season last year, but left with a sour taste in their mouth after a close loss in the 1B state semifinals. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said he was proud of what the Warriors did last year, despite the outcome. “Last year was a really good year for us. We lost in the semifinals, which was a little disappointing, you don't have hopes and dreams of going to the championship and come up one step short... we're hoping to build on that,” Walsh said.

Mavs motivated for a state run this season

MOSES LAKE — As the start of the 2025 season hits, the Mavericks bring in an experienced roster that has stayed hungry for a state title opportunity. Head Coach Brett Jay said the team has homed in on player development in the offseason. “We're going to focus on our locker room and develop every player we have. It's a yearlong process, our offensive linemen are all bigger and stronger, our receivers are bigger and faster, our backfield (quarterback and running back) is bigger and faster, and so it's exciting,” Jay said.

Knights hungry for another state title

ROYAL CITY — The reigning 1A State Champions, the Royal Knights, are looking to continue their winning ways as the 2025 football season nears. Head Coach Wiley Allred said he wants his team always to feel challenged. “We take nothing for granted, and we've three returning starters on each side of the ball,” Allred said. “We've got a lot of new faces. They're learning, and they're going to grow all year, and we hope they improve as we go ... I think they're expecting to do well, but we take nothing for granted. It's always a challenge.”

Mavs girls soccer ready to make noise this season

MOSES LAKE – After going 9-6-1 and making a playoff appearance last season, the Mavericks girls soccer team is eager for the fall 2025 season to start. Head Coach Alysha Overland said the team is looking to carry last year's experiences into this year.

GALLERY: Basin football almost here

MOSES LAKE – The 2025 football season is almost a week away with local high school football teams hitting the gridiron and preparing for week one. Here’s another glimpse into their practices. Our annual Gridiron Guide publication is right around the corner. Pick up a copy of the Columbia Basin Herald on Friday, Aug. 29, for a look at the upcoming high school football season.

COLUMN: Supporting local athletics this fall

MOSES LAKE – The end of August might be one of my favorite times of the year. It signifies the best season, Fall. I’ll finally get to dust off my favorite cardigan and I won’t bore you with the pumpkin spice latte hype.

Generations of coaching

The Trammell-Haneberg family discusses coaching tradition in Moses Lake

MOSES LAKE – Three generations of the Trammell-Haneberg coaching family are ready for another season of Mavericks sports. For Mavericks Volleyball Head Coach Krystal Trammell, it all begins with her dad, Bob. “Dad was amazing at what he did, and he made each athlete feel important. He had that relationship with his athletes and his students, and I saw those athletes TP the house when we were young. Mom and dad would sit in the dark, watch his athlete's toilet paper the house and laugh,” she said. Krystal grew up in Warden, where her parents were teachers and Bob coached multiple sports for 40 years, she said. As she grew up, she played volleyball, basketball and softball. Eventually, she would go on to play volleyball at Big Bend Community College before heading to play for Eastern Oregon.

Mavs cross country ready for more this season

MOSES LAKE – After a storybook season, the Mavericks cross country team is ready to go farther this season, Head Coach Larry Dagnon said. “Last year was a monumental season. Honestly, not only was it monumental for how the team did, but just having sports was monumental,” he said.

Cougs set to start new chapter under Rogers

PULLMAN – This Saturday, the Washington State Cougars football team returns to the gridiron when they host FCS-opponent, Idaho Vandals. According to a statement by WSU athletics, Washington State is led by first-year head coach Jimmy Rogers, who coached South Dakota State the past two seasons, highlighted by an FCS National Championship in 2023.

GALLERY: Basin gridiron practices continue through the weekend

MOSES LAKE – Since Wednesday, local football teams have returned to the gridiron for their first practices of the 2025 season. Over the weekend, some of the teams have been able to put the pads on and get into full swing for the upcoming season. Our annual Gridiron Guide publication is right around the corner. Pick up a copy of the Columbia Basin Herald on Friday, August 29 for a look at the upcoming high school football season.

Knights girls soccer preview

ROYAL CITY – Last season for the Knights girls soccer team went better than expected, Head Coach Jens Jensen said. As the fall 2025 season approaches, he feels optimistic about the team's future. “I feel like this year we're starting at an even better position. We have a team that looks like it's going to be pretty solid. We've got girls coming up for the next several years that are going to really strengthen the program,” he said.

GALLERY: Basin gridiron action coming soon

MOSES LAKE – On Wednesday, local football teams returned to the gridiron for practice. As they prepare for the upcoming season, players hit the field to shake any rust off and dust off the pads.

Eagles men’s golf fifth in preseason poll

CHENEY – On Thursday, Eastern Washington’s men’s golf team was announced fifth in the Big Sky preseason poll, a statement by the conference said. For the first time since 2002, Eastern Washington men's golf is in the Big Sky preseason poll, EWU athletics said in a statement.

ESA holds annual charity golf tournament

SOAP LAKE – On Saturday, the Alpha Omega chapter of the Epsilon Sigma Alpha nonprofit organization held its annual charity golf tournament at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. According to President Abby Smith, the tournament was a success.

COLUMN: The state of the Seahawks running back room

There is a lot to discover with the Seahawks as the regular season nears. There’s a new quarterback in Sam Darnold, the receiver room has been revamped with the return of the hometown guy Cooper Kupp and, as always, seeing if the offensive line improves.

Othello youth soccer looking for volunteer coaches

OTHELLO – On Monday, the City of Othello announced it needs more volunteer coaches for Othello MLS GO, a local youth soccer group. According to Parks and Recreation Coordinator Valerie Hernandez, this is not an unusual need to have. Prior coaching experience is not required, she said.

Moses Lake Roundup final results

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo took place Aug. 14-16 at the Grant County Fairgrounds. Competitors from all over the country flocked to the Basin for the events. Below are the final results of the rodeo for each event.

Big Sky announced for future Vegas Kickoff games

MOSES LAKE — On Monday, ESPN Events announced Big Sky Conference’s Montana and Montana State for future matchups in the Vegas Kickoff Classic. The kickoff event takes place in Allegiant stadium in Las Vegas. “We’re thrilled to have Montana, Montana State and Big Sky football showcased on ESPN as part of the Vegas Kickoff Classic,” Big Sky Conference Commissioner Tom Wistrcill said. “Labor Day Weekend is one of college football’s great traditions, and these games will demonstrate that the FCS can deliver marquee matchups in world-class destinations like Las Vegas, while creating a one-of-a-kind experience for our fans.”

Eagles women's soccer earns first win

CHENEY – The Eastern Washington women’s soccer team picked up their first win of the season on Sunday with a final score of 2-1 over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, according to a statement by EWU athletics. “Two fantastic goals in the second half really put us in control,” said Eastern Head Coach Missy Strasburg. “Credit to Kam for a huge save at 2-0—that was a momentum-shifting moment. If that goes in, it's a completely different game with confidence swinging their way. That mindset, that grit in the final minutes of a tight game, says a lot.”

Local trainer: How student athletes can prep for fall sports

MOSES LAKE – Over the next few weeks, student athletes in the Basin will be making their return to their respective sports. As summer break ends, the trainer at Moses Lake High School, Lily Rodriguez, has some pointers athletes can use to be in the best shape possible.

Moses Lake Roundup brings excitement to the Grant County Fairgrounds

MOSES LAKE – In the last few days of the Grant County Fair, community members were treated to the annual Moses Lake Roundup. From Thursday to Saturday, the rodeo took center stage with several events like bareback riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and bull riding. “I just love being able to go around all the crowds and different people that you see and being able to put on a show for them and get on great bucking horses. It's awesome, and I love it,” Jay McAllister said.

GALLERY: Horse riding and demo derby’s at the fair

MOSES LAKE – At the Grant Country Fair, community members were treated to Demo Derbys full of dusty crashes and local horse-riding competitions put on by the Grant County Youth Equine Program.

Vikings volleyball season preview

MOSES LAKE – As the Vikings return to the court for practices, there is a lot of optimism in the air for head coach, Lindsey Linthicum. As they prepare for their first scrimmage game today at Centralia, she said the team is starting to gel. “That's been really fun to see the girls kind of making those connections,” Linthicum said. “It's just fun to see their personalities coming out, and the girls are recognizing those personalities, and every once in a while we get a good laugh out of each other.”

Plant clinic offers insights at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE — The Grant County Fair brings a lot of interactive experiences for the community to engage with. Sometimes these experiences can be educational, like the Master Gardeners’ clinic. “Our job here is to provide a plant clinic that is for anybody who comes in and asks a question about what’s what they need, either about watering, gardening or pruning,” said Barbara Guilland, a volunteer for Washington State University’s Master Gardener Program. WSU’s Master Gardener Program and the Columbia Basin Conservation District had educational booths in the Agriculture Building. WSU had a lot of information about plant care for this time of year.

ESA to hold charity golf tourney in Soap Lake

SOAP LAKE – On Saturday, August 16, the Alpha Omega chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha will be holding a charity golf tournament at Lakeview Golf and Country Club. ESA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and money for local charities and families in need, event organizer Abby Smith said.

Equitation takes center corral at Grant County Fair

MOSES LAKE – The Grant County Youth Equine Program is in the midst of its fourth year of hosting Equitation at the Grant County Fair. According to Becky Shay, president and founder of GCYEP, this is also the fourth year the program has existed.

COLUMN: Mariners ready to be tested

The Seattle Mariners have a big pairing of games coming up against the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies - two of the best teams in the National League. However, they are poised to prove they are better than both opponents.

Moses Lake middle schools looking for coaches

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District announced they are looking for coaches at Frontier and Endeavor Middle School. Loren Sandhop, the athletic director for the school district, said the most important aspect of a candidate they are looking for is good people. “We're teaching them lifelong lessons, and we're just using sport to do it,” Sandhop said.

Moses Lake Roundup events this week

MOSES LAKE – This week the Moses Lake Roundup returns with a lineup of events all week long. From Demo Derbies to the Rodeo, there will be plenty for the family to do this week.

Big Sky announces coaches poll and preseason MVP

CHENEY – After finishing third in the Big Sky last season, Eastern Washington women's soccer has been picked to finish second in the 2025 Big Sky preseason coaches' poll, according to a statement by the Big Sky Conference. The preseason poll and preseason All-Conference Team was voted on by the league's nine head coaches, who could not vote for their own team.

Parkway Fields getting upgrades

EPHRATA – Over the last week, the ballfields outside of Parkway Intermediate School have been undergoing some upgrades. According to Ephrata School District's Director of Communications, Sarah Morford, the fields needed repair.

Eagle women's golf wins academic awards

CHENEY – Eastern Washington Eagles women’s golf team has been collecting academic hardware as of late, according to statements by EWU athletics and the Big Sky Conference. This week, the Eagles were named academic champions in women’s golf for the 2024-25 season and the Big Sky’s team of the month.

Basin’s Alli Kay Tatum competes in Denmark BMX tourney

MOSES LAKE – Local BMX rider, Alli Kay Tatum, recently competed in the Union Cycliste Internationale BMX Racing World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark. For her first time traveling internationally for BMX, Tatum said it went smoothly. “Overall, it was super organized, my first time there it was a totally different experience, but they had (the track) laid out and really organized,” she said.

Quincy's Fancher ready for another year of sports

QUINCY – Entering his seventh year as the athletic director for Quincy schools, Brett Fancher is ready for a new season of sports. He said he feels athletics in Quincy serve as the front porch to community gathering, he said. “These events are places for people in the community to gather and support the kids and show community pride and see other people. Those are really important events, especially in small town communities like Quincy,” Fancher said. Fancher serves as an assistant principal in addition to his role as athletic director. He served in a similar role while at Oroville. He was an English and social studies teacher and was the athletic director for three years.

COLUMN: Welcome home Eugenio Suarez

On July 31, the Seattle Mariners went all in on their season by trading for Eugenio Suarez. The Mariners are having an impressive season. Currently, they’re fifth in the American League, and the game differential between the teams above them is not far apart. If a few games go their way, they could be sitting in the top three.

Meagan Karstetter ready to compete in senior season

MOSES LAKE — For Meagan Karstetter, the Carroll College 2025-26 women's basketball season will not be taken for granted. In her first three seasons with the Fighting Saints, she had to fight for her spot each year – but she would not change a thing. “I'm feeling like it's going to go fast," Karstetter said. “I got to make the most of it, but we brought some new transfers in. I think we'll end up back in Sioux City."

Washington athletes nominated for NCAA Woman of the Year award

MOSES LAKE – On July 30, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference announced eight conference athletes were nominated for the NCAA’s Woman of the Year award. Four nominees are from Washington schools, according to a statement by GNAC. One nominee being Sunny Huerta from Central Washington. “I'm so happy for Sunny to be nominated for the NCAA Woman of the Year,” Central Washington Head Women’s Basketball Coach Randi Richardson said. “During her time here at (Central Washington University) she has worked incredibly hard in the classroom and on the court to achieve all that she has been able to achieve. She has always embodied all the qualities of someone wearing a Wildcat uniform we could ever want.”

Basin athletes compete at Battle on the Columbia

KENNEWICK — On Saturday, students at Freewind Martial Arts Studio traveled to Kennewick for the Battle on the Columbia tournament. According to Brandi Guertin, manager and instructor at Freewind, tournaments like these help gauge progress. “Proud of everybody that showed up and competed,” Brandi said. “Martial arts is an ever-learning, evolving art and when we go to tournaments, we get to see what some of the other arts have to offer in their style of performance, and sometimes we can identify where a tool or a technique might work well with something that we do as well.”

Allison Stanley ready to be a Knight

MOSES LAKE – For Allison Stanley, sports have been a part of her life ever since she could walk, she said. She played every sport one could think of. Even dirt bike racing, but she wound up falling in love with softball, she said. “It was just the competitiveness, and you had to fight for everything. It wasn't just handed to you. You had to win every at-bat, and just that competitive edge that I always got from softball and how I'm always chasing to be better,” Stanley said.

BBCC volleyball coach starts tenure with tradition

MOSES LAKE – Last week, Vikings volleyball held an annual camp for local volleyball players ranging from third grade to the 12th grade. This year's camp was led by new head coach Lindsey Linthicum, who thought starting with tradition was a great way to kickstart a new era. “I knew that there was a camp that the previous coach and other previous coaches had always put on (camps) at the end of July. So, I just figured, ‘You know what? Let's just keep the tradition rolling.’ That's something that I'm big on. I came here 15 years ago to play and fell in love with this place,” Linthicum said.