From World Cup call-ups to NCAA breakthroughs, local colleges make news
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 weeks, 2 days AGO
MOSES LAKE — Even when the academic calendar reaches its end, college athletics continue their work into the summer. See below some of the latest headlines from local Washington colleges.
University of Washington
Huskies soccer alumnus Cristian Roldan was named to the United States World Cup roster, according to a statement by UW Athletics.
“Obviously, very emotional,” Roldan said after the announcement. “I’ve been waiting for this decision for a very long time. It’s a dream come true. As kids, this is what you want to do. When you think of your idols, you think of the World Cup, and now to be able to be part of it, it’s seriously a dream-come-true.”
Roldan earned national and conference honors during two seasons with the Huskies before being selected by the Seattle Sounders in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
Now one of the club’s most decorated players, he has helped lead Seattle to multiple titles while becoming a mainstay on the U.S. Men’s National Team. His World Cup selection holds special meaning, with matches set to be played in both his hometown of Southern California and Seattle.
Eastern Washington University
In the Eagles Track and Field program, Cort Gebbers is exceeding expectations at the NCAA West First Round, according to a statement from EWU Athletics. Gebbers, who was originally ranked 47th regionally, has climbed to 11th which helped him qualify for the NCAA Championships.
He secured his spot with a personal-best throw of 56.86 meters (186-6) on his final attempt, then nervously waited as later competitors tried to surpass him. His breakthrough performance comes after missing regionals by one centimeter as a freshman and reflects significant mental growth, resilience, and a strong bond with coach Majesty Tutson.
“Coach Maj has been by my side every practice, every time I've been here, even out of practice,” Gebbers said. “A lot of times it's not about the throw. It's about the relationship. She's always been there for me.”
And for anyone facing adversity, his message is simple, the statement said.
“Believe in yourself,” Gebbers said. “Even on the days that you feel terrible, on the days and weeks where it just doesn't work, one day it will click. Keep going, don't give up. You're going to get there.”
Central Washington University
The Wildcats womens soccer program welcomes Hailey Still, a Washington native to their coaching staff, according to a statement by CWU Athletics.
“I'm beyond excited to have Hailey join our staff and come into the fold of what we're collectively building with the women's soccer program here at Central,” Head Coach John Hawks said. “The fact Hailey is a native of Washington, has playing experience at the highest level both collegiately and as a youth, and knows the landscape of the PNW soccer community as a player and coach will serve our group well.”
Still recently completed her collegiate playing career at the University of Portland and the University of Washington, where she totaled 18 goals and 38 points combined, according to the statement. A former standout at Thomas Jefferson High School in Auburn, Still brings both high-level playing experience and familiarity with the Pacific Northwest soccer landscape.
“Coming directly from my collegiate playing career, I recognize how unique it is to step into a coaching role at this stage of my journey, and I am humbled by the trust that has been placed in me,” Still said.
Hawks highlighted her character and ability to connect with players as key assets as the program builds toward the 2026 season.
“More importantly, who Hailey is as a human being, and the impact she'll have on our staff, the women within the locker room, and the program as a whole is undeniable; we will all be better for it on and off the field,” Hawks said.
Washington State University
According to a statement by WSU Athletics, sophomore distance runner Evans Kurui placed sixth in the men’s 10,000 meters at the 2026 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships. His performance earned him First-Team All-America honors for the second straight season.
Kurui clocked 28:10.73, running with the lead pack and briefly taking control in the final laps before finishing 10 seconds off the podium. His performance marks the first time a Cougar has earned back-to-back first-team honors in the event since Jeshua Anderson (2008–11).
The Cougars returned to the track Thursday for the opening day of the women's competition, WSU Athletics stated. Rosemary Longisa and Caroline Jepkorir will compete in the semifinals, looking to qualify for Saturday's finals. Longisa will compete in the 1,500-meter run beginning at 5:21 p.m., followed by Jepkorir at 5:38 p.m. in the 3,000-meter steeplechase.
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Correia reflects on making All-State team
COULEE CITY — Multiple basin athletes qualified to play in the All-State Baseball Series from June 27-28 in Yakima, with Almira/Coulee-Hartline graduate, Caden Correia being one of them. Correia said he was initially selected for a feeder game ahead of his state qualification. “I was at practice one day, and my head coach (Hunter Lee) came up to me and he’s like, ‘Hey, you got selected for an All State feeder game,’” said Correia. “I actually got invited to two, the Central Washington one and the Spokane one.” Correia said he decided to go with the Spokane feeder game since it was taking place at Avista Stadium and he had a desire to compete at that venue. Once he played there, Correia was informed that he was also selected to play for Team Baker in the All State games, an opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.
Quincy standout ‘Duckie’ Workinger returns home to lead Vikings womens wrestling
MOSES LAKE — Shannon “Duckie” Workinger was named the new head coach of women’s wrestling at Big Bend Community College on June 18, bringing one of the Basin’s own back to help build the next generation of women’s wrestlers. “I'm super excited,” Workinger said. “I spent some time wrestling at different places, and it feels really good to be able to come back to the community that I was born in and really establish more connections here and build on the ones that I already have, and just help grow our Basin into a great wrestling (community), even better than it already is, because we have some good wrestlers that come from here.”
ACH wrestlers earn All-American honors at women’s national duals
COULEE CITY — Karis Butler and Kyanna Garza from Almira/Coulee-Hartline earned All-American status after a strong showing in the 2026 Women’s National Duals in Westfield, Indiana that ran from June 16-20. “It feels really good,” Karis said. “It was very surprising last year when I got on here, and then this year they were like, ‘You can go to whatever weight class you want,’ and it made me feel very recognized for the hard work I've put in.” Wrestlers competed in freestyle wrestling and Greco-Roman throughout the four-day tournament. Karis competed in both earning a 7-1 record in freestyle and 4-3 in Greco-Roman. Throughout her path in the tournament, she noted a lot of growth as a wrestler came out of it.


