Readers react to The Herald’s Top 50 athletes list

  • Herald staff
  • Tuesday, August 2, 2005 9:00pm
  • Sports

On Sunday, The Herald completed its six-part series on the top 50 athletes in Snohomish County history.

As expected, the series produced quite a response.

Dozens of readers either called or e-mailed to share with us their reactions and opinions. Most were complimentary of the efforts of lead writer Scott M. Johnson and the rest of The Herald sports staff, although at least one caller was angry enough with our list to announce he would be canceling his subscription.

Several writers pointed out athletes they thought should have cracked the top 50, then proceeded to make strong arguments for their candidates.

Typical was Tom Bernethy, a lifelong Snohomish County resident, who said he agreed with almost all the selections, with “the exception of one individual who was omitted.”

“After reading (Sunday’s) paper I was shocked that Ron Blacken was not included in either the ‘just missed’ or ‘also considered’ category,” Bernethy wrote. “I only knew Blacken as a spectator and watched him through out his high school career at Lake Stevens, and his college (football) career at the University of Washington. He was probably one of the best or possibly the best athlete I ever had the opportunity to observe in high school. He also played basketball and baseball exceptionally well.”

John H. Stupey of Everett wrote to make a case for golfer Jeff Knudson.

“He was a four-time winner of the Snohomish County Amateur golf tourney,” Stupey wrote. “Jeff was one of the founders of the Everett Golf Charities and was one of the original developers of Harbour Pointe Golf Course. With all of these credentials, he should definitely be part of the list.”

Another athlete some felt we over looked was Keith Coleman, a two-time winner of the Washington State Open golf tournament. As reader Mark Rashell pointed out, Coleman wasn’t just an outstanding golfer, he also was an accomplished high school basketball player who “played in the all-state game.”

Shane Strimple of Arlington said we missed one of the area’s boxing greats. Bret Summers was an AAU national champion and at one point was 22-0 and ranked No. 14 in the world.

“Not to say the job of naming the top 50 was easy,” Strimple wrote, “I just think Summers should have made the list somewhere.”

Others readers felt the same way about mountain climber Ralph Mackey, former Cascade and University of Washington football player Jerry Jensen, ex-Kamiak High School track and volleyball standout Heather Hetzer and softball great Herb Mathis.

Do they belong on the list? Well, that’s up to you to decide.

The point of the series was not to create a definitive list, but rather to get people thinking and talking, while at the same time celebrating this community’s glorious athletic heritage.

Toward that end, we invited readers to share their lists of the top athletes in Snohomish County history. Several took us up on the offer. For their lists – along with a recap of The Herald’s Top 50 – check out the right-hand side of this page.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.