Notebook -- Olson Leaves UPS Shy Of Record

The college football career of Jason Olson has come to an end.

Olson, a three-year starter at quarterback for the University of Puget Sound, has decided not to return for his senior season, Coach Ross Hjelseth said.

"Jason Olson let us know of his decision not to return to school," Hjelseth told the Tacoma News Tribune.

Olson, a 1990 graduate of Monroe High School, left UPS for academic reasons, said Robin Hamilton, UPS sports information director.

Olson was just 32 yards shy of breaking Ivy Iverson's school record for career passing yards of 4,554.

Olson is 11th on the Columbia Football Association's all-time total offense chart with 4,862 yards. He could've moved into the top five this season.

Olson was a honorable mention all-Mount Rainier League selection last year when the Loggers finished 3-6. He completed 145 of 290 passes for 1,709 yards, 10 interceptions and 12 touchdowns last season.

He also was an outfielder for the Loggers in baseball. He hit .248 last season.

With Olson's departure, sophomore Chris Schlecht, a Kent-Meridian graduate, is listed No. 1 on the UPS depth chart.

NOT GUILTY

Tim Mead pleads not guilty.

The charge: Does Mead feel guilty for having such nice athletic facilities at Kamiak High School?

"I think I feel not as much guilty as I am appreciative," said Mead, the football coach at Kamiak, which will open next month.

Kamiak is the new high school in the Mukilteo School District. The population is made up of students who would've or did attend Mariner High School.

The school, 10801 Harbour Point Blvd., is located in one of the nicest neighborhoods in Snohomish County, mixed amongst the condos, townhouses and housing developments.

Just a punt away, across the street is the new Columbia Elementary School. Down the street to the left is Harbour Pointe Middle School, and to the right, Harbour Pointe Golf Course.

The outdoor basketball courts have chain nets. Signs for each room in the gym also is marked in Braille.

But Kamiak's calling card is the weight room.

The 2,700-square foot room, just a few feet from the gym's lobby, is impressive. There are two exercise cycles in the corner, but they are overshadowed by the heavy metal (lifting) gear.

There are four bench press stations, and there are plenty of free weights spread throughout the room.

There are about two dozen other machines designed to strengthen the pecs and abs, delts and quads.

"We're pretty excited about the weight room," Mead said. "It's been a blast. It's been hard work, but it's been gratifying to see the kids put on the purple and silver and white for the first time."

Kamiak, which does not have a senior class this year, will play in the Western AA Conference but will probably join WesCo AAA in two years.

There is one athletic facility Kamiak is missing - a football stadium. All the team's home games will be played at Goddard Stadium on the Mariner campus.