Spring 2026 Gifford Gazette
Quarterly Athletics Newsletter
Rangers Stack Honors and Highlights at NWAC Championships with 14 All-Conference Honors and 2 All-Americans
by Coach Jakan Austin | Gresham, Oregon
Olympic College athletes stepped up in a huge way at the NWAC Track & Field Championships, finishing the weekend with a total of 14 All-Conference honors and 2 All-Americans. The Rangers competed with heart, toughness, and determination against some of the top junior college athletes in the Northwest.
Leading the way for Olympic College were our two All-Americans:
Shay-Lah Squally earned All-America honors in the high jump, placing 3rd overall with an outstanding performance on the biggest stage.
Reece Rheinschmidt delivered a massive performance in the long jump, placing 2nd overall and earning All-America honors with a jump of 6.68m (21'11").
The championships were also filled with major personal records and breakthrough performances from Ranger athletes.
Bobby Dunn-Smith had an outstanding meet in the high jump, clearing 1.94m (6'4"), 5th overall against a highly competitive field.
Alex Bullman stepped up in the javelin, throwing 50.70m (166'4") and battling among the top throwers in the conference.
One of the highlights of the meet was Aaron Culler in the triple jump. Aaron put together an incredible series, recording four personal records in a row during finals competition. Each jump got better as he rose to the moment on the biggest stage of the season.
Aaron finished 5th overall with a huge jump of 13.71m (44'11.75"), showing tremendous composure, competitiveness, and growth throughout the competition.
Throughout the championships, Olympic College athletes continued to prove what Ranger Track & Field is all about — hard work, resilience, and stepping up when it matters most. From personal records to podium finishes, the Rangers represented Olympic College with pride all weekend long.
Meet Michael Johnson: Olympic College Trainer
Who inspired you to get into AT?
I always wanted my career to remain in the world of athletics. I didn't consider athletic training until my sophomore year of undergrad at WSU. My advisor at the time was a former athletic trainer and encouraged me to try out the field when I came to her attempting to change my degree path. However, the inspiration was mostly internal due to an injury I sustained during athletics in high school. I wanted to be the person there to help those athletes.
How did you find OC?
Being from the area I knew of OC and its athletic programs. However, when looking for jobs near my family I came across a posting for Pro Sport. Seeing that it was tied to Olympic College Athletics I applied immediately. It's been a really great fit! I'm working at the level of athletics that I enjoy, learning how to work in a clinic as a new skill set, and I get to be near my family.
What do you like about working at OC?
OC really provides a family atmosphere. My first-born loves coming to OC with me in the afternoons and watching me work on the athletes and being a fan at home games. My wife and I are expecting our second child in August, and a lot of the athletics staff have recently welcomed kids around the same age. My wife also works at OC, so it's basically our 2nd home right now.
Daughter Felicity
Share your philosophy for keeping our athletes healthy and ready to compete.
My philosophy in keeping athletes healthy is ever changing. The cool thing about this profession is the constant evolution. I pride myself in my rehabilitation exercise knowledge and utilizing that knowledge to help prevent injuries. "Prehab" is a great way to avoid having to rehab post-injury.
What else should we know about you?
I am a huge sports fan, even outside of work. I'm a big supporter of my hometown teams (Mariners, Seahawks, etc.), and my college squads (Cougars, Red Raiders), and of course the OC Rangers! I love spending all my time outside of work with my family.
NWAC Recognizes OC Academic All-Stars
Olympic College proudly recognizes student-athletes honored by the NWAC for their excellence in the classroom, meeting rigorous academic standards of either a 3.5 GPA with 60 credits earned or a 3.25 GPA with 60 credits earned. These achievements reflect the Rangers' commitment to success both academically and athletically.
Eli Kraft, Natalie Brierly, Alex Moore, Yuji Imai, Landon Nicholson, Andrew Ahn, Seamus Brown, Dominic Hecker, Ethan Crowley, Seamus Gallagher, Kyle Bardwell, Aiden Smith, Logan Bouck, Khi-Tall Bull, Jordan Clark, Grace Mosco, Trian Clark, Macayla Stark, Kanzas Mills, Naveah Thew, Daniel Almaraz
Congratulations NEXT LEVEL RANGERS
These Sophomores have committed to continuing their sports careers at the next level!
Kanzas Mills – Benedictine College (NAIA)
Shady Mayer – Florida National (NAIA)
Silas Stenerson – Freed Hardeman University (D3)
Seamus Brown – Saint Martins' University (D2)
Yuji Imai – Tabor College (NAIA)
Evan Solomon – Northwestern Polytechnic University (NAIA)
Alex Moore – Liberty (Club)
Olympic College Athletics Celebrates 2025–26 Year-End Award Winners
As the 2025–26 athletic season came to a close, Olympic College Athletics proudly recognizes the outstanding individuals who have defined excellence across competition, the classroom, and the campus community. These annual awards are determined through a collaborative process, with nominations submitted by the Athlete Council and final selections made by athletic administrators—ensuring each honoree represents the very best of Ranger Athletics.
Leading the way academically, Logan Bouck (Cross Country & Track & Field) earns Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. Bouck's consistent commitment to academic success, paired with high-level athletic performance, embodies the true meaning of the student-athlete experience at Olympic College.
The Women's and Men's Leadership Awards highlight those who elevate their teams through character, accountability, and influence. This year's recipients, MaCayla Stark (Women's Basketball) and Seamus Brown (Baseball), have each played vital roles in shaping team culture and leading by example both in competition and within the campus community.
On the sidelines, Jakan Austin is recognized as Coach of the Year for Track & Field. Austin's dedication to athlete development, program growth, competitive excellence, and legacy has set a standard across the department.
Olympic College Athletics also celebrates those who support student-athletes beyond the field of play. Jessica Soper, from Financial Services, is this year's One Campus – One Team Award recipient. Her unwavering support and willingness to go above and beyond have made a remarkable difference for the department.
The top athletic performances are honored with the Female and Male Athletes of the Year awards. Shay-Lah Squally (Track & Field) earns the distinction (again!) after an All-American season that showcased dominance and consistency at the highest level. On the men's side, Reece Rheinschmidt is recognized for his remarkable dual-sport success, excelling as a standout in men's basketball while also achieving All-American honors in Track & Field.
Together, these award winners represent the drive, excellence, and pride that define Olympic College Athletics. Congratulations to all on an incredible year.
Rangers Golf and Baseball Show Growth, Grit, and Championship Potential in 2025–26
Olympic College Golf took meaningful strides forward this season, showing steady improvement in team scoring and consistency across events. The Rangers were led by strong individual performances, including standout sophomore campaigns from Alex Moore and Kiyomi McKenzie, both of whom advanced to the NWAC Golf Championships. Their appearances on the conference's biggest stage underscored the program's development and ability to produce high-level competitors. As the season progressed, the team's depth and continued improvement positioned the Rangers as a program on the rise.
On the diamond, Olympic College Baseball proved it can compete with any program in the NWAC. The Rangers battled throughout conference play, consistently challenging top opponents and showcasing a balanced attack both offensively and on the mound. Their resilience and competitiveness kept them in the playoff race until the end, ultimately falling just short in a near-miss postseason push. Despite that outcome, the season made a clear statement about the program's trajectory and ability to contend moving forward.
Together, both teams demonstrated the determination, progress, and competitive spirit that continue to define Ranger Athletics.