|
Dusty Lane became one of the most honored and successful track and field athletes in the history of Washington state. At Cashmere High School, Lane won six individual state titles in track, including the 300m intermediate hurdles three years in row. Lane found immediate success at the collegiate level in 1997 when he was the NWAACC Champion in the decathlon, the 110m hurdles, and the 400m hurdles, setting a conference record in the latter. He was also a member of the winning 400m relay team. Lane was voted Male Athlete of the Meet as he led the Community Colleges of Spokane to the team title. In 1999, Lane garnered national attention in the decathlon when he broke Dan O'Brien's school record at the Mt. Sac Relays. His point total of 7370 was also the third best junior college mark at that time. He went on to win the NWAACC decathlon in early May. At the NWAACC Conference Championships, Lane culminated his great career in Spokane by winning three individual events, including the 100m and 200m, in which he set school and conference records. He was also a member of two winning relay teams and was once again named Male Athlete of the Meet.
Lane accepted a full scholarship for track and field at the University of Alabama in the spring of 1999 and was looking forward to continuing his career in track. In June of 1999, Dusty tragically lost his life in a rafting accident on the Spokane River. CCS renamed The Bigfoot Open, The Dusty Lane Open, to honor Lane and keep his name and memory alive.
|