The Crimson and Gray Newswire

COUGARS OF THE PAST, present and future have been making headlines of late, both locally and nationally. The list of newsmakers includes a Major League pitcher who's off to a torrid start; a high school hurler who's throwing more strikes than a Teamster's boss; and a legendary running back who once scorched Oregon for an NCAA record 357 yards in one game. And that's just the start

Here's a summary of recent Cougar news, along with the links to the full stories ...

 

MIAMI -- Mark Hendrickson has a simple explanation for why he has suddenly found the success that largely eluded him during his season and a half with the Dodgers, for why he already has won as many games (four) in six starts for the Florida Marlins as he won all of last year for Los Angeles.

Former Dodger Hendrickson can see success clearly now

 

Rueben Mayes, from North Battleford, Saskatchewan, was an All-American for the Cougars. He held the WSU season rushing record of 1,632 yards that stood from 1984 until Jerome Harrison rushed for 1,900 yards in 2005. Mayes set an NCAA record for most rushing yards in a game when he ran for 357 yards against Oregon in 1984.

Washington State's Rueben Mayes elected to College Football HOF

 

Even if June Daugherty wanted to gloat over the problems experienced by her replacement at Washington, one gets the feeling Daugherty is having too much fun at Washington State to waste time focusing on anything but the future of the Cougars.

Daugherty looks ahead with smile on her face
 

Future Cougar Rusty Shellhorn set a state record by striking out 21 batters in a seven-inning game, but there's more to him than just getting people out.

Shellhorn focuses on school work and strikeouts

 

35-year-old Chad DeGrenier, the former Washington State QB, hadn't played ball in four years and was making a name for himself as a standout high school head coach. Now he leads the league in passing yards per game and completion percentage, is second in touchdown passes and has yet to throw an interception.

Adrenaline's power trio

 

"I think Jason Hill will be a solid receiver. Last year, we got him in our lineup on three occasions and all three times he was injured in the games."

Mike Nolan on Jason Hill

 

Jim Dodd died from a heart attack two weeks ago and it didn't make sense, yet it did. At Roosevelt High School, this sturdy, confident guy was the starting quarterback, kicker, pitcher, and briefly a varsity basketball player just to prove he could make the team, separating himself as the school's best athlete for the class of 1970 and parlaying it into a Washington State football scholarship. 
Dodd adored to the end