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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On Monday in Olympia, I will have the honor of introducing a House resolution recognizing the Colfax High School boys basketball team for its undefeated season and WIAA State 2B championship. Their success on the court is something the entire Colfax community can be proud of, and I wanted to make sure their accomplishment is recognized by the Washington State House of Representatives.
This season meant something more than wins and trophies. The Bulldogs carried forward the legacy of their longtime coach, Reece Jenkin, whose leadership shaped the program and the lives of countless young athletes. As small communities so often do in difficult times, Colfax and the surrounding region rallied around the team and the Jenkin family. This resolution recognizes not only a championship season, but also the strength, resilience, and community spirit that defined it.
Please join me in honoring and celebrating both the team and Coach Jenkin’s legacy. The resolution I will introduce on Monday reads as follows:
House Resolution honoring Colfax High School boys basketball team for winning the WIAA State 2B Championship
WHEREAS, The Colfax High School Bulldogs boys basketball team completed a remarkable season by winning the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association State 2B Championship with an undefeated record, demonstrating exceptional skill, discipline, and teamwork throughout the season; and
WHEREAS, The Bulldogs represented the Colfax community with pride and sportsmanship while competing against the best teams in the state and earning their place as champions through perseverance and dedication; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax boys basketball program has long been a model of excellence under the leadership of Coach Reece Jenkin, who led the Bulldogs to more than 300 victories, numerous state tournament appearances, and multiple state championships while mentoring generations of young athletes; and
WHEREAS, Coach Jenkin, a former standout player at Reardan High School, Big Bend Community College, and Whitworth University, devoted nearly two decades to coaching in Colfax and building a program known not only for winning but for humility, character, and teamwork; and
WHEREAS, During the 2025-26 season, Coach Jenkin courageously battled pancreatic cancer and ultimately passed away, leaving behind his wife, Breanne, and their three children, including Colfax senior and team leader Adrik Jenkin; and
WHEREAS, In the midst of grief and adversity, the Colfax players honored their coach’s legacy by competing with resilience, unity, and determination, carrying forward the standards he instilled in them and dedicating their efforts to the coach who shaped their lives both on and off the court; and
WHEREAS, The Colfax community, the Northeast Washington basketball community, and even rival teams rallied around the Bulldogs and the Jenkin family, showing their support through acts of kindness, “purple nights,” and countless messages of encouragement that demonstrated the power of sports to unite people during difficult times; and
WHEREAS, The Jenkin family’s strength and character inspired many throughout the state, including Adrik Jenkin’s sister, Allie Jenkin, a member of the Colfax girls basketball team, whose determination and courage during this difficult time reflected the same spirit of perseverance that defined the Bulldogs’ championship run; and
WHEREAS, The Bulldogs’ undefeated championship season stands not only as an extraordinary athletic accomplishment but also as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of leadership, family, faith, and community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor and congratulate the Colfax High School boys basketball team for winning the WIAA State 2B Championship and completing an undefeated season; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House recognize and honor the life and legacy of Coach Reece Jenkin, whose dedication to his players, his school, and his community left a lasting imprint on the Colfax Bulldogs basketball program and on the many young people he mentored throughout his career; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House acknowledge the remarkable strength of the Jenkin family and the Colfax community, whose compassion, faith, and unwavering support during a time of loss demonstrated the very best of small-town Washington – where neighbors rally together, rivals stand shoulder to shoulder in support, and communities lift one another up in moments that matter most; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Colfax High School boys basketball team, the Colfax School District, and the Jenkin family.
Sincerely,
Joe Schmick
