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Thurston Colts Baseball Makes History With Back-to-Back State Titles

Thurston Colts Baseball Makes History With Back-to-Back State Titles
Allison McGowan

The Thurston Colts baseball team clinched their second-straight 5A state title Saturday, June 3, shutting out West Albany 2-0.

This state title goes down in the history books as the Colts become the first team to win back-to-back 5A state titles since the six classifications were introduced in 2007. The 2024 championship game was also a rematch with West Albany, the team the Colts defeated to take the title in 2023. 

"I could not be more proud of our baseball team and their coaches," said Thurston High School Athletic Director Justin Starck. "Repeating as State Champions is one of the most difficult things to do in high school sports because every team you play gives you their best shot. Following their spring break tournament, our team won 25 straight games and now reigns as the back to back State Champions. This is an incredible accomplishment for our school and our community."

The win caps a 28-3 overall season for the Colts. 

"I could not be more proud of our guys, they put in the time in the off season to get better," said head coach Dennis Minium. "They show up every day to work hard and are bought in. They are a prime example of  playing for each other. They are a close knit group of guys and hang out together year round."

Senior outfielder Adam Elliott, a 3-time 1st team All-State outfielder, on the team's legacy: “This team has well exceeded all of the standards and has left a lasting impression for many years to come. To say that it was a special run and a well-rounded group of guys is an understatement. We are winners when we step in between the lines and have proved that we can’t be counted out.” 

Senior infielder Eli Crist, a 3-time 1st team All-State infielder and 2024 5A player of the year, notes that this year's championship run could be just the beginning: “I couldn’t be more honored to be apart of such a special group of guys for my senior year. Many hours were spent in the off season grinding away to be able to accomplish one shared goal, another state championship. We put in the work and proved everyone wrong. Look out for this group again next year, the boys that are returning are still hungry for another championship.”

Photos courtesy Pat Edmison, Pat's Action Shots