Job 'logical choice' for Pacheco

COLUMBIA BASIN - There's going to be a new face on the sidelines of the Columbia Basin's athletic events.

Vancouver native Derrick Pacheco joined the staff of the Columbia Basin Herald Sunday as a sports writer.

"We have been in a rebuilding phase with our sports coverage," said Columbia Basin Herald Managing Editor Bill Stevenson. "Derrick is eager to become connected to the Columbia Basin and I am sure he will do a great job in providing the best local sports coverage possible."

Pacheco attended Central Washington University for three years, moved to Clark College and then transferred to Western Washington University, where he graduated in June 2007 with a degree in journalism.

In high school, Pacheco lettered in three sports: one year in track, two years in football and four in wrestling. He played rugby in college.

"My intermural team almost won the championship at Western, but we lost," he said.

Pacheco has always liked sports, from the days when he played soccer when he was little.

"I watch Sports Center all the time, I like reading ESPN, all of those Web sites," he said. "It just was the next logical choice that I like to write, so why not write about sports?"

Pacheco was familiar with Moses Lake prior to arriving in town.

"I knew about the wrestling tradition here," he said. "To be able to cover something that's that important to a community is special."

He is open to hearing from the community as he covers their sports, and welcomes feedback.

"I want people to feel free, if they have questions, concerns or anything, I will always answer the phone to talk to them," he said. "Their voice will be heard in the sense that I'll do my best to help them out."