
Reporter Paul Valencia and sports administrators Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland talk about high school sports first from the perspective of our jobs, then our fandom comes out when we talk pro sports
Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com
It has been a minute since our last podcast.
Life gets in the way sometimes. But we promise, it is still free to listen to our podcast!
Anyway, today we look forward to 2026 in high school sports and talk about a number of WIAA amendments that will be voted on soon by member districts.
We also do a 2025 in review in high school sports.
Plus we must revisit Tony’s great story of the Wedge Jersey Sacrifice for the Mariners. Did it work? Let us know what you think with an email.
Plus, I give an additional minute at the end of the podcast for a special salute.
This latest episode was recorded on Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
Our podcast format is simple: A longtime sports reporter (Paul Valencia) discusses high school sports, and more, with longtime sports administrators and former coaches. Cale Piland is the former head football coach at Evergreen and Union and is now the athletic director for Evergreen Public Schools. Tony Liberatore is a former assistant coach and athletic director at Columbia River and is now an associate principal at Fort Vancouver.
We’re always interested in subject ideas for a future podcast. Email us a subject idea.
Send us your thoughts at: paul.v@clarkcountytoday.com.
Also read:
- The Study of Sports Podcast Jan. 15, 2026: We discuss some hot topics in high school sports across the state, plus we talk college and pro footballReporter Paul Valencia is joined by Tony Liberatore and Cale Piland to discuss current issues in high school sports, along with college and professional football topics.
- Opinion: Kindness is always welcome, even in places where one does not always find itPaul Valencia reflects on how a brief moment of kindness between a journalist and a football coach underscores the importance of respect in journalism and public life.
- The Study of Sports Podcast Dec. 30, 2025: A look ahead to 2026 with WIAA amendments, a year in review in high school sports, plus remembering the Mariners’ magical runThe latest Study of Sports Podcast looks ahead to proposed WIAA amendments, reviews high school sports in 2025, and reflects on the Seattle Mariners’ memorable run.
- Virginia Rodeman defies limits and wins No-Gi World Championship in Brazilian Jiu-JitsuBattle Ground athlete Virginia Rodeman won two divisions at the No-Gi World Championship in Las Vegas, continuing an eight-year rise in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition.
- High school sports: Pac Coast Wrestling to showcase some of the best in the Northwest and beyond Clark County will host major high school sports events next week, highlighted by the Pac Coast Wrestling Championships in Ridgefield and holiday basketball tournaments featuring local teams.






