The Columbian

Sports Columnists

Mick Hoffman, the executive director of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, has advocated for high school competition to return, but is limited by state health guidelines.

Martinez: WIAA, Hoffman navigate return to play in uncertain waters

February 2, 2021, 8:07pm Newsletter Subscriber Exclusive

Mick Hoffman discusses several topics related to the pandemic and working to get kids back on the fields and courts. Read story

Heritage's Alex Newberry, left, wrestles at the Pacific Coast Championships in Dec. 2019. An amendment proposed by Heritage wrestling coach Erik Gonzalez would make such two-day tournaments count as one of a wrestling team's 16 allowed team events.

Martinez: Local administrators propose rule changes to WIAA

January 26, 2021, 6:00pm Newsletter

Ten proposed amendments for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association handbook were presented Monday at the WIAA’s Winter Coalition. Read story

While low-risk sports like cross country, golf and tennis will begin Feb. 1, it remains uncertain when traditional fall sports like volleyball, football and girls soccer will start under the "Healthy Washington" reopening plan.

Martinez: Balancing excitement and realism as prep sports return

January 19, 2021, 7:33pm Newsletter

Often, as a journalist, you find yourself right in the middle of issues, even if people on one side or the other don’t think so. Take the recent announcements regarding return-to-play plans for high school sports. Read story

Fall sports, including football, would be allowed to start on Feb. 1 under current WIAA guidelines. But that doesn't mean chinstraps will be buckled next month. Much of that depends on the region's COVID-19 metrics and the decisions of local leagues and schools.

Martinez: Coaches, ADs in scramble mode with fall sports first

January 12, 2021, 6:37pm Prep Sports Subscriber Exclusive

The announcement last week from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association has put everyone into scramble mode — high school athletes, coaches and especially, athletic directors. Read story

For high school basketball players in Clark County, the waiting is the hardest part. It remains uncertain when Washington will allow games, which are happening in other states.

Martinez: As athletes wait, how are other states handling prep hoops?

January 5, 2021, 7:28pm Newsletter

Tom Petty once sang “The waiting is the hardest part.” High school athletes in Washington are learning that the hard way. Read story

One potential plan for resuming high school sports would see football and other traditional fall sports be played first, followed by traditional spring and then winter sports.

Martinez: Look north for clues on how prep sports might resume

December 29, 2020, 4:54pm Prep Sports Subscriber Exclusive

The Executive Board of the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association is set to make a decision on the start of high school sports in the state next week. Read story

Jerry Kotsovos of Camas, pictured on his daily run Wednesday afternoon, December 23, 2020, has been running for 46 years.

Martinez: Camas runner Jerry Kotsovos approaching milestone of 130,000 miles logged

December 25, 2020, 6:00am Community Sports

74-year-old man first took up running 46 years ago and rarely misses a day Read story