Pasco grad Gutierrez is getting a chance with the Denver Broncos

The dream of playing in the National Football League is still alive for one Pasco High School graduate.

Congratulations goes out to Sebastian Gutierrez, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos.

Gutierrez’s story is interesting.

After graduating from Pasco, he went to Minot State University in North Dakota as a wide receiver. But coaches there moved him to tight end, where he played his first two seasons.

Gutierrez was then moved to the offensive line for his final few seasons, and finished his collegiate career by playing in 42 games for MSU.

At 6-foot-6, 300 pounds, he had a legitimate chance at being drafted during last week’s NFL Draft.

While his name did not get called over the three-day, seven-round event, the Broncos quickly made a move to sign him afterwards.

Broncos general manager George Paton told broncoswire.usatoday.com that this free agent class has plenty of talent.

“(This) free agent class will be a lot deeper,” said Paton. “Last year’s free agent class, I mean, we were done in about 5 minutes… It just wasn’t as deep.”

▪ Two Kennewick offensive linemen have made their future playing decisions public.

Ayden Knapik, a senior who graduates in June, announced a few weeks ago that he’ll be attending the University of Idaho.

Meanwhile Ashton Tripp, a junior who will graduate in June of 2023, has already committed to playing for head coach Jake Dickert at Washington State University.

▪ Chiawana grad Dre’Sonte Dorton has been trying to find a place to play football following his career as a wide receiver and kick returner at Eastern Washington University, which ended a few years ago.

Dorton finally found the opportunity this past weekend, playing for the Bay Area Panthers of the Indoor Football League.

Dorton rushed the football twice for 54 yards, including a 45-yard touchdown scamper. Alas, the Panthers (1-6) lost 65-34 to the Northern Arizona Wranglers (4-2).

But Dorton got a chance to show what he can do.

He Tweeted out after the game, “all I needed was an opportunity.”

Track and field

Kamiakin senior Isaac Teeples just continues to get better. Last Friday, the BYU-bound Teeples ran a 3:49.68 time in the 1500 meters at the Nike/Jesuit Twilight Relays in the Portland area.

And he did it in impressive fashion, passing about 10 runners on the final lap, according to his running coach, Matt Rexus.

When converted to a 1600 run (which is what is mainly used in Washington state), Teeples’ time is 4:04.13.

“That is the seventh-fastest athlete on the 1600 list in a state long known for great distance athletes,” said Rexus.

Teeples’ teammate, senior Grayson Wilcott (who will run next year at WSU), nearly broke the 9-minute barrier in the 3200 at the same event. Wilcott finished in 9:00.65.

Soccer

Hope Solo’s induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, which was to happen later this month, has been delayed a year because of a request from Solo.

The Richland High grad was arrested on March 31 in Winston-Salem, N.C., on charges of suspicion of driving while impaired, resisting a public office, and missed or child abuse.

Reports said Solo was passed out for about an hour in the driver’s seat of her vehicle in a store parking lot, with the engine running, and her 2-year-olds in the backseat.

Solo, considered one of the greatest all-time female goalies in the world, posted a message this week: “I have contacted the Hall of Fame and respectfully requested a postponement of my Hall of Fame induction ceremony to 2023. I will be voluntarily entering an in-patient alcohol treatment program to address my challenges with alcohol. At this time, my energies and focus are totally directed to my health, healing and taking care of my family. I want to thank the Hall of Fame for their support and for understanding my decision.”

The Hall has agreed to defer her induction.

Basketball

It’s always nice to see good people get rewarded.

Such is the case for the trio of Pasco High girls basketball seniors, who will all be playing at the next level this coming winter.

Guard Mya Groce announced last week that she has accepted a scholarship to play for Saint Martin’s University, where she’ll be teaming up with former Walla Walla High School star Rian Clear.

In addition, forward Taleya Maiden is headed to Walla Walla in the fall to play basketball for Whitman College.

And forward Taija Mackey, a virtual double-double machine her four seasons for the Bulldogs, will start her college career for Clark College in Vancouver.

▪ An area boys basketball team coached by Zillah’s Mario Mengarelli ended up winning the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (WIBCA) Showcase Tournament this past weekend over on the west side.

The Tri-Cities team defeated Yakima 85-83 to go 4-0 over the two days. The tournament featured 16 boys teams, and included four each from Seattle and Tacoma.

Among the players of the Tri-Cities roster were Chiawana’s Cash Callaway and Donovan Young; Kamiakin’s Peter Dress; Kennewick’s Jonah Gebers and Charles Tipke Henry; and Sunnyside’s Brent Maldonado and Noah McNair.

▪ Speaking of Chiawana’s Callaway, he announced this week that he has committed to playing basketball for Benedictine University out of Mesa, Ariz.

It’s an NCAA Division III school.

This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 12:55 PM.