• B, 2B  |  Gateway Sports Complex, Yakima                 
• 1A  |  Columbia Playfield, Richland                 
• 2A  |  Carlon Park, Selah              
• 3A  |  RAC, Lacey              
• 4A  |  Merkel Sports Complex, Spokane

The WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires State Softball Championships are taking place May 25-26, 2012 at five different locations. Each site has a unique tournament manager working hard to deliver an unforgettable state tournament for all participants.

Carol Finney is the 1B, 2B Tournament Manager at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima for the eighth consecutive year. Finney has also managed the 1B, 2B, 1A State Volleyball Tournament for thirteen years working with a similar team to her State Softball staff including Trudy Bray who handles results and works with scorekeepers and Louise Adams on announcing. The Gateway Sports Complex features four new state-of-the-art softball fields.

Mike Edwards is prepping for his first year as 1A Tournament Manager at the Columbia Playfield in Richland. Edwards is one of the tournament managers for State Baseball and Tennis also. Taking on three State events, he appreciates having numerous coaches, booster club members, and volunteers to help run each event.  He is a graduate of Cal State Northridge and Heritage University and understands the amount of hard work that it takes on the side of the staff as well as the participants at the state events.

“The best part for me is watching the athletes perform and show great sportsmanship,” Edwards said. “All these young people give all they can for a shot at being champions.”

The 2A Tournament Manager is Mike Lewis for the fifth consecutive year. A graduate of the University of Northern Colorado (Bachelor’s 1976; Masters 1979), he received his Administrative Certificate from Central Washington University (2002). He will manage the event at Carlon Park in Selah which is the home of Selah High School softball and the Greater Yakima Girls Softball Association.

Rich Yelenich is Tournament Manager for the second year in a row for the 3A site in Lacey. Yelenich grew up in Edmonds where he attended Edmonds HS. He continued his education at Everett C.C. (AA), Washington State University (BA English/PE/Education 1979), Seattle Pacific University (MA Athletic Administration 1985), and finally at Central Washington University (Admin. Cert. 1996).  He was also the manager for the 1B Regional Basketball Tournament and the 3A, 4A State Volleyball consolation games both hosted at Timberline HS. His group of field managers and the Lacey Parks and Recreation staff help out on site at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC). The RAC is one of the premier softball facilities in the state.

“All fields have an artificial surface and hold up to the weather very well.” Yelenich said of the RAC facilities. “Last year we had a few hard rains during the tournament, but within 15 minutes we were able to play again and did not lose a single game. It’s a great facility.”

Bill Ames, the 4A Tournament Manager at Merkel Sports Complex for the third consecutive year, is originally from Enumclaw, Wash. He spent 30 years at University High School as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He was also the Athletic Director there the last 13 years. Ames has been the manager for State Softball five times and State Cross Country and Golf twice each. He enjoys staying involved with the State Tournaments.

“I had the opportunity to play and coach in the State Tournament so I know what it means to kids to have a good experience.” Ames said. “The tournament should be one of the best events of the kids’ high school career.”

Indeed, it is a special time as 24 total trophies are going to be earned by Saturday night for the top four placers of each classification. Who will step up to the plate this year?

A live webcast will be available for the 4A Softball 3rd/4th place game and Championship game at: www.WIAANetwork.com


For more information visit www.wiaa.com and follow the event at: