This geocache is dedicated to Lauren Jackson, a Naismith basketball hall of famer and Seattle Storm (and Australian) legend.
Lauren Jackson was a rising star in Australia when she declared for the WNBA Draft. She became the first player drafted by the inaugural Seattle Storm franchise in 2001. We drafted Sue Bird the same way in 2002 and that dynamic duo would lead us to two championships and many good seasons. Lauren Jackson was a great inside and outside playmaker whether it was tough layups, mid range jumpers, three pointers, great free throw percentage, blocks, rebounds and overall great defense. She helped lead the Storm to championships in 2004 and 2010. She has played many seasons for her Australian national team, also the WNBL Canberra Opals and many years in Russia and some in Korea. She would be introduced with an "Aussie Aussie Aussie" followed by "Oy Oy Oy" chants. She retired with a 18.9 points per game average over 12 seasons with the Seattle Storm. I had the pleasure of playing her one on one in a game of HORSE after winning a charity auction for that fun, I have it on DVD.
Here are some of her accolades listed out.
1. 2004 and 2010 Seattle Storm WNBA Champion
2. 3x WNBA MVP (2003, 2007, 2010)
3. 7x WNBA All Star
4. 2007 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year
5. 2010 WNBA Finals MVP
6. 7x WNBL Champion with Canberra Opals and 4x WNBL MVP
7. 2x Russian League Champion (2007, 2008)
8. 3x Euroleague Champion (2007, 2008, 2012)
9. 5x Olympian Medal winner for Australia (2000 silver, 2004 silver, 2008 silver, 2012 bronze and 2024 bronze)
10. 4x World Cup Medal winner for Australia (1998 bronze, 2002 bronze, 2006 gold, 2022 bronze)
11. Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2011.
Cache is in the Meadowdale Beach trail system, its not on the path to the beach. Go to Sue Bird cache and keep going to find Lauren. She is taller than Sue so she is placed at a higher elevation. Cache is off trail with a small scramble at the end. Tree is very easily noticed from trail.