2008 Athletes of the Year

Hannah Cunliffe

The Washington Games Female Athlete of the Year for 2008 is a 5-time AAU Track & Field All American, 4-time USATF Track & Field All American and reigning AAU National champion in the 100 and 200 meter.

All that, and she’s just 12 years old.

Federal Way’s Hannah Cunliffe, coached by her father, Michael, has only been running for 7 years.

But during her short career training with the Seattle Speed Track Club, she has sprinted and jumped her way into local, and national, record books.

In 2004, Hannah raced to the second fastest 100 meter time in the country for 8 year olds at the Track City International Classic in Eugene, Oregon, en route to claiming both the 100 meter and 200 meter championship.

In 2007, she became the AAU Junior Olympic Champion at 200 meters and finished in second in the 100 meter event.  She also took second place in the Long Jump.

At the USA Track & Field 2008 Indoor National Champion, Hannah blazed the competition again, setting the 60m meet record for 12 year old girls.  She went on to repeat as the AAU Champion in both the 100 and 200 meters.

Amazingly, Hannah’s winning times place her in the top 5 for Washington High School 3A and 4A state meets.  Her 100 meter championship time qualifies her as the fastest preteen girl in the world, and she’s only in sixth grade.

Hannah displayed her speed at the 2008 Washington Games, taking home gold in both the 100 and 200 meter events.  We are proud to announce Hannah Cunliffe as the Washington Games Female Athlete of the Year for 2008.

 

Timm Hines

The recipient of the 2008 Washington Games Male Athlete of the Year is Timm Hines, of Renton.  At the 2008 Games, Timm won the gold medal for his age division in archery.

Prior to the games, Timm was a member of the 2007 US National Archery Team, the 2007 NFAA National Outdoor Champion, and a participant at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Trials. 

Remarkably, he finished 24^th at the trials despite picking up tournament archery only six months prior.

Between 2004 and 2008, Timm set over 12 state records, won four state divisional championships, three national championships, and earned a team gold medal in a world ranking event in Puerto Rico.

Timm’s successes range far beyond archery, however.  A teacher at New Horizon School in Renton, he felt that students deserved an after school program of some form.  Timm developed an archery club and just six years after the program’s inception, over 50% of the student body were participating.  Some of his athletes have even gone on to win divisional, state and national championships.

Timm is truly dedicated to his students, his school, and his sport.  His commitment to the sport extends far beyond competition; his positive influence can be seen through his coaching, mentoring, teaching, and volunteering.  Timm Hines personifies the ideals of the Washington Games, and it is our honor to award him the 2008 Washington Games Male Athlete of the Year.