Some schools could use change of color, or name

Q: If you could rename some schools or some nicknames, which ones would be at the top of your list?

A: School changes first:

Eastlake High School would have been named Plateau High School because it is on the Sammamish Plateau. The only good thing about the name Eastlake is that it freed the word "plateau" for the school's informal nickname in its early years, "The Chateau on the Plateau."

Washington High School outside Tacoma would be named Truman High School. George already has the state named after him. If this school board couldn't come up with a better name than Washington High School, I'm afraid to think what is served in the cafeterias down there — potato sandwiches?

Give Washington High School credit for one thing, though — the school's colonial-style band uniforms are the coolest in the state.

Nickname changes:

• Ballard would be the Vikings instead of the Beavers. There must have been something funny in the lutefisk the year that this Scandinavian community didn't grab the nickname Vikings.

• Friday Harbor, in the splendor of the San Juans, would have a nickname such as Orcas or something more befitting the islands instead of Wolverines. I used to think Wolverines was a particularly stupid choice, but now wolverines have been discovered in the North Cascades, so at least it's an animal that lives in our state.

• Cedar Park Christian in Bothell would be named "Bill's Dairy Christian" because the school is on the property of a former dairy farm of that name. "Milkers" would replace the boring Eagles as nickname.

• West Seattle (Wildcats) and Issaquah (Eagles) still would have Indians as their nicknames and Meadowdale (Mavericks) still would be the Chiefs.

In other words, I consider a nickname to be a compliment, not a putdown, unless the nickname is particularly stupid, such as "Savages," which was once Eastern Washington University's nickname.

If you want to see the Indians nickname done correctly, visit North Central High School in Spokane. A few years ago an administrator asked Spokane tribal officials whether the nickname bothered them. They said it didn't but made it clear that they didn't want anyone in mascot attire portraying a caricature. Reasonable request.

The school has a wonderful display case near the main office showing a mannequin in native Spokane Indian attire where students can learn something about their region.

Color change:

• Redmond High School would have red as one of its colors instead of being a Roosevelt clone with green and gold ("Red"-mond — get it?) Brown University has brown as a color, Redmond should have red. But the train has left the station.

Q: Lynden has won the state 2A football and boys basketball titles this school year. Has any school won football, boys basketball and baseball in the same school year?

A: No. And no school has won a boys' track title either after winning football and hoop titles.

This is the third time Lynden has stood on the precipice of the trifecta.

The Lions won football and boys basketball state titles twice before in the same school year — 1980-81 and 1991-92.

Chances of Lynden winning the baseball title appear slim. Lynden was 4-7 at the end of last week. The track team isn't considered a state threat.

Centralia opened the 1980-81 school year by winning the AA (now 3A) football title and added the boys basketball in the winter with a team led by Detlef Schrempf, future Washington Husky and NBA player. Centralia didn't win the baseball title that spring but did capture it a year later.

Have a question about high-school sports? Craig Smith will find the answer every Tuesday in The Times. Ask your question in one of the following ways: Voice mail (206-464-8279), snail mail (Craig Smith, Seattle Times Sports, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111) or e-mail csmith@seattletimes.com