On Sunday, the WSU track and field throwers were in the Bank of America parking lot mastering their “Wax on. Wax off” technique. Though Mr. Miyagi was not in attendance at the annual car wash, the throwers did have an excellent turnout of dusty cars. The car wash lasted from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. and, with a little elbow grease, the throwers were able to earn $2,100 as of Monday morning.

The money raised at this year’s event is going to injured WSU football player Cory Mackay. The defensive end was hurt after falling asleep at the wheel near Washtucna.

The accident occurred last May while Mackay was driving home after finals week. The throwers chose to donate their earnings to Mackay after the men’s and women’s throwing coach Debra Farwell heard a news report on him while painting her house. “We knew about Cory and his medical bills, and him being a Coug made it special to us to be able to help him,” she said. The annual car wash was first held in 2002 in order to raise money for former Eastern Washington University thrower Ty Weingard. Weingard needed a kidney transplant. At that time, the WSU throwers combined their suds and buckets with the University of Idaho throwers to earn the funds needed to help out their shot put brethren. Since then, the WSU team has branched off and made bubbles for other efforts to help out the Pullman community. Going into its eighth year, the WSU throwers have already given back more than $10,000 dollars to various local organizations. The list includes individual cancer patients, the Breast Cancer Support Group of the Palouse and the Whitman Country Community Action Center.

Sophomore shot put and javelin thrower Jennifer Hamilton was excited about the car wash, using a “Feelin’ Dirty?” sign at the corner of the parking lot to attract customers. The tactic must of worked, as there was always a steady stream of cars waiting in line.

Hamilton – who helped the team earn money for breast cancer last year – likes being able to lend a hand. “It’s good to get out and support the Pullman community, and to help someone in the WSU athletic community,” she said. The WSU track and field throwers charity car wash happens once and year, and Farwell is still accepting donations. To get in touch with Farwell, call 509-335-0260 or email her at debral@wsu.edu.