Pasco graduate places third in steeplechase in Trials, qualifies for Paris Summer Olympics

Pasco High graduate Marisa (Vander Malle) Howard made the United States Olympics track and field team on Thursday night in Eugene, Ore., when she placed third in the women’s 3000 meters steeplechase final.

Howard crossed the finish line in 9 minutes, 7.14 seconds — a personal best time that was over 15 seconds faster than anything she had ever run.

She was asked by the media in the post-race press conference her feelings about qualifying for the Paris Summer Olympics — which runs from July 26 through August 11.

“Complete disbelief,” Howard said. “The Lord is good. I knew I had a big (race) in me. It was just a matter of putting it together.”

At 31, Howard is no stranger to major international competition.

After a successful collegiate career at Boise State University, Howard has represented the United States in the Pan American Games twice — once in 2019 and another in 2023.

She won a silver medal in the 2021 Games in Peru, placing second in the steeplechase.

But this will be her first Olympics.

Howard had the second-fastest time among the 30 competitors in the first round of the women’s steeplechase on Monday night in Eugene.

Not bad for a professional runner who doesn’t have a major contract like most of her competitors do.

“I’m with TrackSmith now,” the 2010 Pasco High grad told the media Thursday night. “They take care of housing, chiropractor and food. But I looked at every girl in the field, and outside of the college runners, they all have pro contracts.”

She said she essentially has not been paid since 2017.

Her husband Jeff is a teacher, and she gave birth to their son, Kai, two years ago.

“I was a school nurse but I stepped away in 2022 when I gave birth,” she told the media. “So since then I’ve been running and being a mom.”

In Thursday’s race, Howard was in fifth place after 1,000 meters. But she moved up into third by the 2,000-meter mark. And she held that spot until the end of the race.

Valerie Constien won the race in 9:03.22, and Courtney Wayment finished second at 9:06.50.

Those two and Howard will head to Paris next month.

Hockey

Former Tri-City American Riley Sawchuk had an outstanding season for the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL this past season.

The forward scored 25 goals and 27 assists in 50 games for the Walleye. Before he played with Toledo, he spent 12 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins, scoring a goal in 12 games.

On June 7th, the MacBeth Report announced Sawchuck, 25, signed a one-year deal plus an option with the KooKoo Kouvola of the Finland Liga.

Sawchuk spent three full seasons with the Ams during the 2016-19 campaigns.

Golf

Richland’s Davis Sheets will head to St. Martin’s University this fall, where he’ll play for the men’s golf team. His older brother, Carter Sheets, will be a senior on the team this fall.

Baseball

Southridge High grad Steven Meier had an outstanding season for Old Dominion University, which went 31-26.

Meier hit .246, but seemed to find a way to get on base to score.

He scored 47 runs, hit 6 home runs and drove in 25 more runs. The speedy junior also stole 28 bases in 29 attempts.

The number that really caught my eye on the ODU website was that he was hit by a pitch 24 times. He is the Ty France of ODU.

By Meier, who was a JC All-American the previous year while playing at Columbia Basin College, is looking to transfer for one final season.

He’s hoping to find a Division 1 school which can help him get set to be drafted by a Major League franchise.

Lacrosse

Drew Guerrero (Hermiston) and Cayden Hulquist (Hanford) were starters this spring for the Adams State men’s lacrosse team.

Despite the team’s 1-13 record, the two sophomores played some solid lacrosse.

Guerrero, playing at the Attack position, was fourth on the team in scoring, with 9 goals and 7 assists for 16 points.

Hulquist helped shore up the defensive unit while starting as a defender.

Signings

Last month, Chiawana High School celebrated 21 athletes who have signed letters of intent to continue playing sports at the next level.

Among those 21 are a contingent heading across town to Columbia Basin College. They include Isabel Anderson (women’s soccer), Jaxson Baxter (baseball), Humberto Cervantes (men’s soccer), Myah Giles (women’s soccer), Amelia Hoff (women’s golf), Alfredo Jimenez (men’s soccer), and Jason Schuler (baseball).

Headed to Whitworth University in Spokane is Rylen Blair, who will play for the baseball team. Also going to Whitworth will be Lane Hedrick to play football.

Pacific Northwest Christian College in Kennewick grabbed three Riverhawks: Matthew Del Campo for men’s soccer; and Samantha Quiroga and Haylee Trowbridge for women’s soccer.

Alysa Dunstan is headed to St. Martin’s University in Lacey, where she’ll be a member of the cheer team.

DJ Duran, who spent a large part of the football season last year sidelined with a foot injury, will head to Garden City Community College in Kansas to play quarterback.

Softball standout Leah North has signed with the College of Idaho, while softball teammate Amidie Ochoa will play at Yakima Valley Community College.

Georgia Sanchez will be a member of the Big Bend Community College women’s wrestling team in Moses Lake; while Cage Sommerville signed on the dotted line to play football this fall at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

Sydney Stenson will be playing women’s golf this fall for Spokane Community College; and Jordan Tobias has signed to wrestle for the Hastings College men’s team in Nebraska.

Finally, Justin Webber is headed to play football this fall for Montana Tech.

Jeff Morrow is former sports editor for the Herald.