1) Seahawks are Super
The Lombardi Trophy came to Vancouver in 2014.
Go ahead, read that sentence again.
The symbol of excellence in the most popular team sport in America came to Clark County.
That is what NFL teams do when they win the Super Bowl. They go on a tour, with that trophy, and bring it to masses. NFL teams know that they represent more than just the city they play in but also the region.
Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and their teammates play in Seattle, but they play for the Seahawks. And they know that Washington is Seahawks country.
Last January, the Seahawks beat the Saints and then topped the 49ers and their “sorry” receiver in the NFC Championship Game. From there, they headed to the Super Bowl and beat up on the Broncos in a game that was a blowout from the start.
The win gave the franchise it’s first Super Bowl title. And it gave Clark County fans the opportunity to see the Lombardi Trophy.
2) Lillard’s shot for victory
“It took nine-tenths of a second to wipe away 14 years of postseason heartbreak. Damian Lillard’s 3-pointer did more than end the longest playoff series drought in the NBA. It sent a wave of elation and relief through a fanbase that has felt cursed.” — Micah Rice, The Columbian
The Blazers won a playoff series for the first time in what seemed like forever, and the way they won it made it even sweeter for Clark County fans.
The Blazers would lose the next series, but the Blazers are back. This season looks promising, and Lillard just keeps making big shot after big shot.
“Lillard picked up the public address microphone and yelled ‘Rip City.’ It was as if he channeled the feeling of an entire building.” — Erik Gundersen, The Columbian
3) Efraimson goes pro
She was in the headline in the winter. Then again in the spring. She kept running and winning in the summer, too. And late in the summer, she announced she had signed a professional contract.
Camas runner Alexa Efraimson, one of the best high school cross country and track runners in history, gave up her senior year of high school eligibility to sign with Nike.
At the end of her junior season, she set the American record by a high schooler in the 1,600-meter run.
In the summer, she won the U.S. Junior National championship in the 1,500. A few weeks later, she finished sixth in the world.
In July, she announced she would be done with high scool competition. In August, news spread that she had gone pro.
4) High school Heisman for Henry
Oregon’s Marcus Mariota (see below) might have won THE Heisman Trophy this year, but he was the second Northwest football player to win a Heisman Trophy.
The night before the announcement for the best college football player of the year was made, Union High School’s Nolan Henry was accepting the award for the Wendy’s High School Heisman for the nation.
This honor is geared more toward academics and off-the-field community leadership. No one is saying Henry is the best quarterback in the nation. But Wendy’s did determine Henry is the best example of what it means to be an excellent high school student, a strong athlete, and a positive influence to those around him.
5) Franks’ shot gets on ESPN
It might seem unfair. After all, Robert Franks is too good for most on the basketball court. Does he really need to get lucky, too?
Franks of Evergreen High School, made a blind, over-the-shoulder, behind-his-head shot, while falling out of bounds, as the buzzer sounded, sending an elimination playoff game into overtime.
Of course he did. He is Robert Franks!
The highlight went national, one of several Clark County high school highlights that have gone viral in recent years (shoutout to Ryan Sturdivan of Woodland!).
To continue his incredible 2014, Franks then signed a letter of intent to play basketball at Washington State University. So, yes, he was lucky that one day in February, but that Pac-12 scholarship is all skill and hard work.
6) Local QBs enjoy national success
Garrett Grayson, a Heritage grad, shined at Colorado State, where he was a Heisman Trophy candidate and the MVP of the Mountain West.
Austin Dodge, a Skyview graduate, led Southern Oregon to the NAIA national title.
Don’t be surprised if both are playing professional football next year.
7) Oregon’s Mariota wins Heisman
Marcus Mariota became the first Oregon Duck to win a Heisman Trophy after leading his team to the first Division I FBS college football playoff.
Then, in his acceptance speech for the trophy, he made a fan of anybody who had not heard of him.
The Humble Hawaiian Heisman.
8) Big Chinook run in Columbia River
Anglers set a new record for the catch of chinook salmon at Buoy 10 and lower Columbia River downstream of Bonneville Dam. The catch of spring, summer and fall chinook totaled 71,000, breaking the old mark by 9,000. Add to the 71,000 chinook, a good catch of 63,000 coho, and 16,000 steelhead and it made for a banner year.
9) Winterhawks win, lose coach
The Portland Winterhawks won their third consecutive Western Conference title, only to lose Game 7 of the WHL finals to Edmonton.
Then the Winterhawks lost again, but in a positive way: Their coach and GM, Mike Johnston, left the organization to become the head coach of the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
10) Riley surprises all, leaves OSU
For whatever reason, college athletic deparments are getting better with their secrets. Who saw Mike Riley leaving Oregon State for Nebraska before the day he left Corvallis? Riley coaches the Beavers, in two stints, for 14 seasons.
Then, Oregon State hired Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen.
Who saw that coming?
