AREA ROUNDUP

EUGENE, Ore. — Washington State’s Lee Walburn finished the first day of the NCAA national track and field meet on Wedesday at Hayward Field 11th in the decathlon with 3,976 points after posting three personal-bests.

He posted the career-bests in the 100 meters (10.85 seconds) and 400 (48.40) and shot put (40 feet, 1 1/2 inches).

Walburn’s performance on Wednesday was the best first day in his career.

The final six events in the decathlon start today at 11:30 a.m.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE SOCCER

Former Cougar soccer standout Sydney Studer will be making the jump to the fledgling USL Super League as a member of Carolina Ascent FC, it was announced Tuesday.

Studer played midfield for Washington State from 2021-22. She transferred to the Cougars in 2021 after playing her previous three years at Oregon State.

Studer was called up to the U23 national team twice in 2022 and was on the U18 national team in 2018 and 2019. During her time at Washington State, she started 39 games, scored five goals and assisted on seven more. She played over 7,900 minutes in her five-year career.

Studer played last season with the KC Current of the NWSL before signing with Carolina Ascent FC.

COLLEGE BASEBALLWSU hires Richards as assistant

The Cougars have hired former team infielder Tommy Richards as an assistant coach, it was announced on Tuesday.

Richards was previously the head coach at Bushnell, an NAIA school, for the past three seasons at Eugene, Ore., and oversaw the start of the program in 2022. Under Richards, Bushnell won the Cascade Conference championship and made the NAIA Opening Round this year, both for the first time in program history.

Richards played for Washington State from 2009-2012 and appeared in 155 games, which included the Cougars’ last two NCAA tournament teams in 2009 and 2010. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 24th round of the 2012 MLB draft.

“My family and I are very thankful for this opportunity,” Richards said in a news release. “As alumni, this place holds a special place in our hearts and we have always been amazed by the wonderful people on the Palouse. We are excited to follow coach (Nathan) Choate’s lead into a new era of Cougar baseball.”