As the Spokane Colleges track and field team gears up for the NWAC Championships, they are working hard to chase a legacy, community and personal growth.
Across sprints, hurdles, jumps and throws, Spokane Colleges athletes have not only pushed themselves to new personal records but built a tight-knit team culture that’s hard to find in the world of individual-focused sports.
From the very first practice, a championship mindset was locked in.
Peyton Fox, a multi-event athlete heading to Whitworth University in the fall, recalls how the team refused to cut corners even when offered a break.
“We were supposed to do 10 stadiums that first practice, and Larry said, ‘Just do eight,’ but we all looked at each other and said, ‘No, we’re doing 10,’” Fox said. “That’s just who we are. Everyone’s had that championship mindset since day one.”
That level of self-accountability has carried the team through months of training and competition.
Coach Larry Beatty, who has led the program since 1996, sees this year’s team as a special mix of talent and character.
“For the numbers we have, they get along really well,” Beaty said.. “We’ve got some really good kids with great character and morals. And when you’re working with 60-plus men and women across all these events, that’s not easy to find.”
For freshman sprinter Connor Harey, joining the team was initially about athletics, but it quickly became about much more.
“Once I really did it, it was like, oh, okay, this is actually something I really enjoy,” Harey said. “I need that outlet of being physical while also having a competitive side to it.”
He praised the team for being supportive and the coaching staff for striking the perfect balance between elite training and personal connection.
“I’ve had coaches before who were either great at training or good with people, not both,” said Harey. “But here, it’s the perfect mix.”
Though Harey won’t compete at NWAC this year, he said he’s excited to travel with the team as a photographer and experience the championship atmosphere firsthand.
Emily Kor, another freshman, is heading to NWAC for shot put, high jump, and javelin. She also participated in the heptathlon earlier this season.
Kor credits the coaching staff and her teammates for helping her improve since high school and said she feels prepared for the championships.
“I think we’ve done a really good job cheering each other on,” Kor said. “It helps keep the energy up. Track meets can be super long, so it means a lot to have that support.”
That emphasis on mutual encouragement is echoed across the board.
“Even at meets, we’ll run to each other’s events to cheer people on,” Harey said. . “Even with other teams, I’ll finish a race and go give a fist bump. It’s a really positive sport.”.
For some, this is their first time at championships. For others, it’s the final chapter of their SFCC career. But regardless of where they are in their journey, these athletes are united by a shared love for the sport, a respect for their teammates, and a commitment to doing things the right way.
“We’re college athletes,” Fox said. “We’re tired, we’re working, we’ve got classes. But we come here and we run, we jump, we compete, and we support each other. That’s what it’s all about.”
Coach Beatty leaves his athletes with a clear message before they step onto the biggest stage of the season.
“This is more than a meet,” he said. “ It’s a celebration of every hill you ran in the fall, every weight you lifted, every time you chose to stay and do one more rep. You’ve already proven who you are. Now it’s time to show everyone else.”
For any questions or comments on this story, please contact Alycia Love at sfcc.alycia.love@gmail.com.