In the back of my mind, I always knew I wanted to come back to Washington state.
I was only gone for four years, and for one of them I was able to drive up almost every weekend.
But even then, I knew that Washington is where I wanted to be. I’m thrilled to be back in the state I grew up in, and I’m excited to get this sports season started here at The Chronicle.
Like most sports writers, I fell in love with sports at a young age. My brother and dad introduced me to football early, but my first love was baseball.
I had no idea what I was doing at my first South Hill Little League tryout, but I eventually tallied my first base hit, first strikeout, and first home run.
While my playing days eventually came to an end, I knew I wanted to do something in sports for a career and I was always told I was a good writer in school. The path became clear to me: Why not combine the two?
At Arizona State University, I was fortunate enough to cover a variety of events in the Phoenix area, including several ASU and Grand Canyon University sports, a PGA tour event, drag boat racing, a professional wiffle ball tournament and arena football.
I graduated in three years in 2022, and after a summer covering the Cape Cod Baseball League in Massachusetts, I got closer to home by joining the staff at the News-Register in McMinnville, Oregon, last September.
There, I was the leader of a one-man sports department, covering six high schools and Division III Linfield University.
While McMinnville had a school at the 6A level, the highest classification in Oregon, we also focused on smaller schools, some of which produced outstandings teams and individuals.
It was these smaller communities that also had some of the best coaches and teachers. Of course, they were interested in winning, but they were more so focused on setting their kids up for success off the field, as any high school coach should.
I’ve already spoken briefly with new Tenino football coach Darren Tinnerstet and Centralia College men’s soccer coach Noel Vazquez, and I am looking forward to meeting and speaking with other coaches in Lewis County who share that passion for leading student-athletes.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to do it here at The Chronicle. From what I have seen and heard, I know that there is a high standard here, one that people appreciate.
You expect in-depth insight, solid information and attention to detail. I will do my best to deliver that and more.
In addition to the traditional box scores, stats, and game write-ups, I also hope to take you beyond the box score by going deeper with coaches and athletes.
While the next week or so will likely be quiet, I know we’ll be rolling soon. Football camps start on Aug. 16, and Week 1 isn’t far behind. Boys tennis, girls soccer and volleyball are also set to start early next month.
We’ll be busy here, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
