The story of former Washington State lineman Riley Sorenson took a positive turn on Wednesday.
Sorenson was a three-year starter at center for the Cougars and was an honorable mention all-Pac-12 selection in 2016 as a senior. But between his junior and senior seasons, Sorenson dealt with a terrible stretch of personal turmoil. Sorenson’s father died of a heart attack in January 2016, days after he suffered a heart attack before arriving at WSU’s bowl game. Less than five months later, Sorenson’s mother died from cancer.
Not long after, Sorenson was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After surgery, Sorenson was able to play his senior season, but the cancer returned over the summer “in the form of a tumor in the back of his abdomen.”
But here’s the good news: after months of chemotherapy, Sorenson’s girlfriend Elisabeth Haffner announced Wednesday Sorenson is in remission.
Happy to announce that @RileySorenson IS OFFICIALLY IN REMISSION!!!!! Thank you all for the love and support ❤️
— Elisabeth Haffner (@e_haff) October 4, 2017
Riley and I currently: pic.twitter.com/Jf0ycCjnFH
— Elisabeth Haffner (@e_haff) October 4, 2017
Couldn't have done it without everyone's support! #GoCougs https://t.co/roa4MRdPfz
— The Wizard (@RileySorenson) October 4, 2017
Per the Daily Evergreen, Sorenson and Haffner spent the summer in Pullman while Sorenson underwent chemo treatment in nearby Lewiston, Idaho.
LAST DAY OF CHEMO!!! #IronWiz #WizardStrong pic.twitter.com/ROzjuaKGfY
— Elisabeth Haffner (@e_haff) September 1, 2017
He completed treatment in September just before Wazzu’s season opener against Montana State. He raised the WSU flag before the game.
One day after completing chemotherapy in his 2nd bout with cancer @RileySorenson raises the WSU flag before the Cougs season opener. pic.twitter.com/9nwjgo7u8D
— Darnay Tripp (@DarnayTripp) September 3, 2017
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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
