Seeing the Camas High School cross country runners back on the track brought a twinkle to Mike Hickey’s eye.
It has been four months since the Camas girls team captured the Class 3A state championship trophy and the boys placed sixth in Pasco, but the coach still feels like it was yesterday.
“When we won state by two points, it was so humbling,” Hickey said. “The coolest part was seeing the looks on the kid’s faces. Until we all saw we could do it on that one day, I don’t think any of us thought we could do it until we did.”
After speaking at the Washington State Cross Country Coach’s Association Convention Jan. 13 and 14, in Everett, a humbled Hickey accepted the award for 3A Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year. He thanked his fellow coaches Chris Gragg and Karen Goritsky, and the Papermaker runners for pushing themselves and their teammates every day.
Hickey also took the opportunity to thank the mentors in his life. While attending Hudson’s Bay High School, Hickey was coached by Bob Lynn in cross country, wrestling and track.