Broadcaster leads 2020 class in county sports hall of fame

Tom Lafferty annually serves as the emcee for the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet. Now he’s joining the ranks of the enshrined.

Lafferty is one of eight individuals and one team that make up the 2020 Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame induction class.

“From the feedback I’m getting from the ambassadors, the inductees are really excited,” Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame committee chairman Frank Foster said. “Many of them have used the expression, ‘Honored to be selected.’ That’s the hallmark of our Hall of Fame, selecting a very outstanding group of individuals.”

Lafferty, who is being inducted as a sports contributor, has been a fixture in the Snohomish County sports realm for 35 years. He’s the sports director at KRKO radio, where he also serves as sportscaster for football and basketball. He’s also been the public address voice of the Everett AquaSox since the franchise began play in 1984.

The athletes being inducted:

Krista Colburn, softball. The 2004 Kamiak High School graduate was an All-Wesco and All-State shortstop before playing collegiately at UCLA. With the Bruins she was a four-year starter in the outfield, earning Easton first-team All-American honors, National Softball Coaches Association second-team All-American honors, and Softball World Series All-Tournament Team honors.

Everett “Ev” Conley, boxing. The 1947 Everett High School graduate won a Washington State Senior Golden Gloves Championship at the age of 16, won NCAA championships in 1950 and 1951 while at Washington State College (now Washington State University), and received the John S. LaRowe Trophy in 1951 as the nation’s outstanding boxer.

Sean Henderson, soccer. The 1990 Cascade High School graduate was a two-time Parade All-American, helping the Bruins win two state championships. He went on to play at UCLA, where he won a national title in 1990 and twice received All-American recognition. He played 11 seasons professionally, including two seasons with the Colorado Rapids of MLS.

Jill Mayer, multi-sports. The Everett High School graduate has participated in Special Olympics activities since she was 12. In 2003 she won a gold medal and four bronze medals in rhythmic gymnastics at the Special Olympics World Championships, in 2011 she won a silver in golf skills at the World Championships, and in 2017 she won gold at the North American International Invitational Golf Tournament.

Sherrie Chambers-Wilson, judo. The Snohomish High School graduate was a staple of U.S. national teams, winning a silver medal at the 1995 Pan American Games, a gold medal at the Austrian Open, a bronze medal at the World University Championships, and was an alternate for the 1996 Olympics. She has served as captain of the U.S. Olympic Training Center Judo Team.

The coach inductees:

Kim Hammons, baseball. The Snohomish High School graduate coached at his alma mater for 25 years, compiling a 385-209 record. His teams won state championships in 1998 and 2008 and finished second in 2007. He is a member of the Washington State Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.

Duane Lewis, track and field. Lewis coached in the Edmonds School District for 51 years, including 46 at Lynnwood High School. During his time at Lynnwood the boys won nine Wesco, eight district and one state championships, and the girls won seven Wesco, seven district and two state titles. He is a member of the Washington State Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

The team inductee:

Meadowdale High School football, 1972-73: The then-Chiefs finished the season 10-0, outscoring their opponents 248-66 and beating Blanchet 14-0 for the Wesco championship. This was the year prior to the WIAA implementing the state championship playoffs, and Meadowdale was ranked behind 9-1 Wenatchee in the final poll. Meadowdale was the only undefeated team among the 10 teams in the final rankings.

The status of the Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, where inductees are officially honored, is yet to be determined. The banquet is typically held in September at the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at Angel of the Winds Arena. Also honored at the banquet are the Herald’s Man and Woman of the Year in Sports, the KRKO Russ & Hill High School Male and Female Athlete of the Year, and the Collegiate Male and Female Athlete of the Year.

This story has been modified to correct Sherrie Chambers-Wilson’s name.