Governor Gary Locke’s Remarks
Welcoming of the 2004 Washington State Olympians
December 22, 2004

Good morning. Thank you all for joining us.

I’d like to welcome all of our Washington state Olympic athletes who are with us today. And, former Governor Rosellini, it’s always good to see you. Gov. Rosellini is chair of the Washington State United States Olympic Committee.

We’re here today to honor our state’s Olympic athletes for representing Washington state and our country, with honor and dignity during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. You are role models to our children, and, indeed, an inspiration to us all.

I know that some of our state’s Olympians couldn’t join us today. Many of them are attending school elsewhere around the country.

I’d like to tell you a little bit about each of the athletes who are with us today. As I acknowledge each of you, I’d like to have you “wave” as you are introduced:

Track and Field:

Jarred Rome, a graduate of Marysville-Pilchuck High School, won his first-ever national title with his victory at the 2004 Olympic Trials, which qualified him for the Olympic Games in Athens. Jarred qualified 14th in Athens and narrowly missed competing in the Olympic final. Jarred is now working on his master’s degree, and an additional degree in business education, so one day he can teach business courses.

Congratulations, Jarred!

Canoeing or Kayaking:

Jordan Malloch and Nate Johnson, both of Seattle, placed eighth in the men’s 1,000-meter canoe sprint doubles semifinal in Athens. The two also finished eighth in the same event over 500 meters.

Jordan is a 2003 graduate of the University of Washington. This was his second Olympic games. Jordon and Nate both attended Nathan Hale High School in Seattle.

Dave Fort, of the Seattle Canoe and Kayak Club, is also here today. He coached Jordon and Nathan at the Athens Olympics.

Congratulations to all three of you!

Swimming

Tara Kirk of Bremerton won a silver medal in the women’s 400-medley relay in Athens! In the 100-meter breaststroke final, she finished sixth overall. Tara’s sister, Dana, also competed in the Athens Olympics. Dana is now living in Palo Alto, California, where she attends Stanford. Congratulations, Tara, and please extend our congratulations to Dana!

Shooting

Morgan Hicks of Roy finished 12th overall in women’s three-position small bore rifle. Congratulations, Morgan!

Rowing

Next, we have a representative from the gold-medal winning U.S. men’s eight-oared crew. The gold medal was the first in 40 years in men’s eight-oared for the U.S.

Michael Callahan of Seattle was a spare on the team. The 1996 University of Washington graduate is the coach of the UW men’s freshman crew.

Mary Whipple, who helped the University of Washington to three NCAA rowing titles, won a silver medal as the coxswain of the U.S. “women's eight.” The silver was the first Olympic medal for a U.S. women’s “eight-oared” crew in 20 years. Mary is helping to coach the UW women’s crew.

Anna Mickelson, a 2002 UW graduate who lives in Bellevue, won a silver medal rowing in the No. 5 seat with the women’ s eight. A four-time national team member, she helped UW win national titles in 2001 and 2002.

Dr. Jennifer Devine of Seattle’s Pocock Rowing Center, was third in the women’s single sculls “B” final for a ninth-place finish overall. In her second Olympic Games, Jennifer held the third spot the entire way down the course. Jennifer was undefeated through the U.S. National Selection Regatta, Olympic Trials and Olympic Qualification regatta to earn a spot in Athens. She began her medical residency at the University of Washington this fall.

Sarah Jones of Stanwood paired with Kate MacKenzie of Michigan to finish third in women’s rowing pairs “B” final, finishing ninth overall. Sarah is a former Pacific Lutheran University rower.

Sarah Hirst of Seattle’s Pocock Rowing Center was a spare on the U.S. women’s rowing team. She was a member of the 2004 U.S. women’s world championships rowing team and silver and bronze medalist at the 2003 Pan American Games.

And, last but certainly not least:

Emil Kossev of Seattle’s Pocock Rowing Center, is with us today. Emil was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Rowing Team coaching staff.

Congratulations to all of you! Let’s give all of our athletes another round of applause!

Now, I’d like to turn it over to Gov. Rosellini to say a few words. Gov. Rosellini was appointed Washington State Chair of the United States Olympic Committee in 1969, following the 1968 Olympics.

He is the longest serving chairman of the Washington State United States Olympic Committee and, at this time, the only state chairman to be appointed to this post.

Thank you, Gov. Rosellini.

Thank you to our athletes and other distinguished guests for being here today. It’s a special day to honor your outstanding achievements.