My photos were featured throughout the season on both the SPU athletics web site and in The Falcon newspaper.

Nathanael Measures Success in Hundredths

For the sixth time in six seasons, Nathanael came up big when it counted to qualify for the GNAC Championships, this time in the 800m run.

At the last chance to beat the GNAC provisional qualifying standard of 1:58.13, the Ken Foreman/Ken Shannon Invitational on May 8th at Husky Stadium, Nathanael ran a personal best 1:57.90.  He finished third in his heat, beating Western Washington star, junior Bennett Grimes. 

His time put him 22nd on the GNAC qualifying list, but only the top 16 would race at Western Oregon University.  Providentially, five runners, who had qualified in multiple events, opted to drop the 800m and Nate was in as the last available qualifier, at #16.  His time in Oregon of 1:58.15 was 13th in the preliminary heats, so he did not make the finals, but his time would have placed him 6th had he run in the finals.  He did run the first leg of the 4x400m relay and SPU took 7th in 3:29.53. The Central Washington team took 3rd in 3:18.37 and Nate ran opposite his BCS teammate Kyle Fremd.  

Bits and Pieces

  Annie spent May student teaching at Jackson High School and trying to wrap up her big honors project.

  Don and Judy took Grandma Jean on a two week vacation to the Oregon Coast and stayed in WorldMark condos.

  Dad continued to have ups and downs, and Randy's leave was extended to allow him to care for dad.

  My weight got down to a low of 187.  This followed six  hours of Diabetes Education classes that Nancy and I took.  The key takeaway was that I was to limit my carbohydrates to 60g per meal.  It seems to be working.

BCS Girls Repeat as Track & Field State Champions

Again this May I traveled with BCS to the State 1B, 2B, 1A Track & Field Championships in Cheney.  And again I was sponsored by the Bellevue Reporter newspaper, and they printed my shot of junior Mackenzie Altig winning the Triple Jump for BCS.

With only four event to go, BCS was sitting in third place in the team standings.  But we had three girls running in the 300m low hurdles, including sophomore Bree Oldham who had finished 3rd behind her sister Terra in 2009.

When Bree (below) took 1st, Mackenzie Altig took 2nd, and newcomer junior Bridget Ralston took 5th, the State title was assured. We had freshman Noelle Crosby (7th) coming up in the 800m, sophomore Meredith Lampe (6th) in the 200m, and our 4x400m relay team (5th).  Nobody could catch us for the team title. 

The coaches had gifted me with a netbook, which they had asked me to pick out.  They agreed that it would be a great thank you gift since it would allow me to work on my photographs on all the long bus rides to meets.  I picked out the Toshiba 115D-S1125 Satellite for $438.  They paid for it and threw in $150 to fund the Bellevue1.net web domain.  I was able to post photos on Thursday, Friday, Saturday from my hotel room (paid for by BCS) and Sunday night from home.

On our return to BCS, someone asked if the coaches wanted to get in the picture with the girls.  They didn't but I sure did!

Cal Krebs Goes Home

May began with the death of yet another long time member of the Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study.  Our most quick witted member, Arizona snowbird in recent years, a lawyer and down to earth theologian, Cal was universally loved.  He could play the curmudgeon and take any side of an argument just to keep it going or test his opponent.  But he will be best remembered for his lightning wit.  One recent meeting when he was back from Arizona, I mentioned that the church had suggested that Bible studies which rotated their leadership, often fared better.  Cal quickly spoke up and said, "OK Dick, stand up and turn around!"  I did and the room was left in stitches.

Calvin John KREBS
Calvin John Krebs of Surprise, AZ and Redmond, WA entered eternal life on May 1, 2010 after a year long battle with cancer. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Marilyn, his son Peter (Kristen) and grandsons Ethan and Chase of Bothell, WA, his brothers Ronald (Elizabeth) of St. Paul, MN, Donald (Lois) of Big Lake, MN, his sister Kathleen Miller (James) of Surprise, AZ and numerous nieces and nephews. Cal was born on August 16, 1934 in St. Paul, MN to Rev. Dr. Jacob C. Krebs and Anne De Beer Krebs. He graduated from Monroe High School, Macalaster College, University of Iowa and William Mitchell College of Law. He worked for Cargill Corporation as a labor negotiator for 18 years in Minnetonka, MN and was chief labor negotiator, attorney and director of employee relations for Univar, Inc. in Seattle for 22 years. He was a man of integrity; highly respected by management and labor, a witty gregarious person who loved people and was loved in return. His deep faith sustained him throughout his life and especially during his last illness. He enjoyed traveling abroad as a member of church choirs both in WA & AZ and was an avid sports fan (except for his golf game). He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, WA and an associate member of Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church of Surprise, AZ where a memorial service will be held. A memorial service will also be held at First Presbyterian Church at a later date where internment will take place. Gifts in his memory may be given to First Presbyterian Local Missions Fund, Spirit of Grace Music Ministry, or the charity of your choice.

Published in The Seattle Times on May 5, 2010