WSU Inducts Six into Athletic Hall of Fame

PULLMAN, Wash. - Washington State University inducted six individuals into its Athletic Hall of Fame Friday Night in ceremonies at the Davenport Grand in Spokane. The group will also be recognized at halftime of Saturday's Washington State-Northern Colorado football game at Martin Stadium.

"The 2019 WSU Athletic Hall of Fame class is an outstanding group of student-athletes and contributors who have brought tremendous pride and recognition to Washington State University," said Chun.

The honorees joined the current 217 individuals and teams in the WSU Athletic Hall of Fame.

The list of six inductees comprising the 2019 class include:

Josephat Kapkory (track and field/cross country, 1991-94): Member of the Pac-12 All-Century Cross Country team…three-time NCAA All-American in cross country (1991-93)…1993 NCAA Cross Country champion…captured the 1992 and 1993 Pac-10 cross country titles…two-time NCAA Indoor All-American…won the 1992 NCAA Indoor 3000m title…two-time NCAA Outdoor All-American…in 1994, won the steeplechase, 5,000m and 10,000m Pac-10 titles, the only person to accomplish that feat.

Ryan Leaf (football, 1994-97): One of the greatest football players in WSU history…led the Cougars to the 1998 Rose Bowl and a No. 9 final ranking…1997 Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and named to The Sport News' All-American First Team…finished third in the 1997 Heisman Trophy race…set numerous Pac-10 and WSU single-season and career records…selected No. 2 overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 1998 NFL Draft…spent four seasons in the NFL…currently serves as President and CEO of RAM Consultant Inc.

Stephanie Papke (volleyball, 1994-97): A four-year letterwinner at WSU…finished career third in school history with 3,839 assists…competed on four NCAA teams and was a three-time All-Pac-10 honoree...junior year was the first Cougar volleyball player to be voted by coaches to All-Pac-10 team and earn Pac-10 All-Academic first team honors…that same year was named AVCA Second-Team All-America and was an All-District 8 selection…1998 Pac-10 Conference Medal Winner and was WSU's nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year.

Ellannee (Richardson) Rajewsky (track & field, 1999-2003): Five-time All-American at WSU…four-time All-America heptathlete, finishing second at the NCAA Championships in 2002 and 2003…also earned All-America honors as part of WSU's 1600m relay team at 2003 NCAA Indoors…three-time Pac-10 heptathlon champion…in 2003 was WSU's Pac-12 Medal Winner, Pac-10 and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient and Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-America second team selection…following graduation, spent 12 years as a member of WSU's coaching staff.

Lisa Roman (rowing, 2010-12): Lettered all three years as a Cougar…named to the Pac-12 All-Century Rowing Team…member of varsity eight boat all three seasons…Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) All-Region 5 first team as a senior…two-time all-conference first team selection…helped WSU to NCAA appearances in 2010 and 2011…member of Canada's 2016 Olympic team in Rio de Janeiro, finishing fifth…captured silver medal at 2017 and 2018 World Championships as part of Canada's women's eight boat…ranked No. 14 rower in the world in fall of 2018.

Rod Commons (administration, 1976-2007): Spent 32 years managing public relations efforts for WSU Athletics, teams and student-athletes as sports information director…managed public relations campaigns for six top 10 finishers in the Heisman Trophy balloting…served as President of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) in 2004-05, was inducted into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 2007 and received that organization's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010…continues to be involved in WSU Athletics, photographing every home WSU sporting event and assisting as department historian.

The hall of fame was chartered in 1978, at the directive of then-WSU President Glenn Terrell and WSU Athletic Director Sam Jankovich.

Washington State University Athletics

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