Shultz with some of her family. From left to right, Rich Polkinghorn, Hannah Polkinghorn, Jessica Polkinghorn and Shultz. Rich and Heidi have two sons as well.
Heidi Shultz was inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Shultz, left, pictured here with her daughter, Hannah, who is currently on the track and field team at Western Washington University
Shultz with some of her family. From left to right, Rich Polkinghorn, Hannah Polkinghorn, Jessica Polkinghorn and Shultz. Rich and Heidi have two sons as well.
Contributed photo
Heidi Shultz coaches for the volleyball and track teams at Columbia High School in White Salmon.
Contributed photo
Heidi Shultz was inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Shultz, left, pictured here with her daughter, Hannah, who is currently on the track and field team at Western Washington University
WHITE SALMON — The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) announced its Class of 2024 Hall of Fame and among the inductees is White Salmon resident and Columbia High Bruins head volleyball coach Heidi Shultz. She was one of five coaches, administrators and contributors who were selected for their contributions to Washington state high school athletics.
“I was honored to be selected to the Hall of Fame as an athlete based on my accomplishments in high school and college,” Shultz said.
She was a consistent first team selection for the Bruins’ volleyball, basketball and track and field teams in high school. As a junior, she led the Bruin girls basketball team to a conference title and a playoff appearance while earning first team all-league and all-state tournament honors. In her senior season she was named the girls Trico player of the year.
She shined even more in track and field, as she remains the only girl in WIAA history to win four straight state championships in the 200-meter dash.
She attended Washington State University, competed in the heptathlon for the Cougar track and field team and she continued to improve. Her senior year, she earned a place in the NCAA national championships.
Today, she lives in White Salmon with her husband, Rich Polkinghorn, whom she met after college. Together they have two daughters, Hannah and Jessica, who are both members of the Western Washington University track and field team. Hannah, a junior, runs the 100, 200, long jump, and the 4x100 relay. Jessica, a freshman, competes in the shot put, javelin, and discus. They also have two sons.
“They’re both excelling, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch them grow as athletes and as people,” she said. “Outside of faith and family, sports have been the constant thread woven throughout my life. I believe I’m a better person because of them. My hope is that, as a coach, I’ve helped other athletes find the same positive experiences that shaped me.”
Shultz coaches volleyball and track and field at Columbia High in White Salmon.
The 2025 WIAA Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon is scheduled for May 7 at Lumen Field in Seattle. To purchase tickets and learn more about the 2024 class visit www.wiaa.com/hof.
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