• Home
• Roster
• Schedule \ Results
• News
• Archives

May 26, 2009

PULLMAN, Wash. -- The Washington State University track and field teams are taking orders for the sale of wristbands to support freshman high jumper Shawn Swartz who is undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Swartz, from Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, was the 2007 B.C. Junior Champion and is one of a trio of Cougars to clear 7-feet in the high jump this year. He cleared 7-0 1/2 at the Husky Classic Indoor meet in Seattle, Feb. 14, and had qualified for the NCAA West Regional meet next week in Eugene with his high jump of 6-10 3/4 at the Vandal Jamboree May 9. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia just prior to the Pacific-10 Track & Field Championships and is currently undergoing treatment in British Columbia.

The wristbands are crimson in color with the saying, "Pride gives us the inner strength to persevere" in white lettering along with his initials, S.S./A.C., using his first and last name and his nickname, Air Canada. The cost is $5 per wristband and they come in sizes medium and large. Those wishing to order a wristband should contact WSU jumps coach Matt McGee AFTER MAY 31, at 509-335-0288 or by emailing mdmcgee@wsu.edu.

This isn't the first time the Cougars track and field teams have sold wristbands to support a teammate fighting cancer. In 2006 the team supported intermediate hurdler Eric Nygard who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in October 2005. Nygard is currently completing his post-graduate studies on his way to a career as a dentist and was a volunteer track coach at Eastern Washington University this past year.

Those wishing to send cards to Shawn Swartz can use this address:
3332 Oxford St.
Port Coquitlam, B.C. V3B 4C8
Canada