5 Super Athletes With Ties To Gig Harbor

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Gig Harbor area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

Barrett Christy (Snowboarding)

Barrett Christy was a member of the first U.S. Olympic Snowboarding Team in 1998 and became one of the most decorated female athletes in Winter X Games history. Known for her signature move, the "Barrett Roll," she helped pave the way for women in extreme sports. Christy currently resides in Gig Harbor and oversees the design of women’s snowboards for Gnu Snowboards.

Cory Procter (Football)

Gig Harbor-born Cory Procter played as an offensive lineman in the NFL, suiting up for the Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. A University of Montana standout, Procter started 42 consecutive games in college and contributed to Montana's Division I-AA National Championship. Following his football career, he transitioned into wealth management and public speaking, sharing insights from his time in professional sports.

Doris Heritage (Cross-Country)

One of the greatest American distance runners, Doris Heritage (née Brown) was a five-time International Cross Country Champion (1967–1971) and the first woman to run a sub-five-minute mile indoors. The Gig Harbor native faced gender barriers early in her career but went on to compete in two Olympic Games and set multiple national records. She later spent four decades coaching at Seattle Pacific University, helping to shape the future of women's distance running. She is a National Track and Field Hall of Fame inductee.

Stephanie Cox (Soccer)

Stephanie Cox (née Lopez) is a former Olympic gold medalist and World Cup finalist. She was a key defender for the U.S. Women’s National Team, playing in 89 international matches. Cox was University of Portland national champion in college and later played soccer professionally, including a stint with OL Reign in Seattle. Cox has stayed connected to the sport through coaching, leading Gig Harbor High School’s soccer team (2015–2019) before becoming head coach at the University of Puget Sound in 2022.

Tim Merritt (Soccer)

Tim Merritt, a Gig Harbor native, carved out a professional soccer career after winning an NCAA Championship with the University of North Carolina. Drafted by D.C. United in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, he later played in Germany before returning to the U.S. to compete for Miami FC. Post-retirement, Merritt continued his involvement in the game with USASA amateur team CASL Elite.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.