Anna Alsept keeps a running list of ideas on her computer — some practical, some ambitious, and all aimed at finding ways to grow the Spokane area’s sports scene.

One entry imagines a pole vault competition staged in the middle of Riverfront Park, or perhaps over the Spokane River, or even a pole vault competition inside River Park Square with clinics for small children included. Most ideas stay on the page, but the ones that do take flight have helped reshape the city’s reputation as a destination for athletes.

“I would say every week I have a new idea,” Alsept, 31, says with a laugh. “Sometimes I’ll transition them to talking with our team about how we could make it happen; sometimes, they’re still there from multiple years ago.”

Her enthusiasm and forward thinking has carried Alsept from intern to director of sports management at Spokane Sports. Alsept has grown into the role over a seven-year career, and the organization has recognized her talent and the opportunities created by new venues like The Podium.

For example, Alsept pushed for The Podium Powered by STCU’s indoor track to host high school meets. Her colleagues warned her against taking up the project, saying it was a logistical nightmare all around. But Alsept saw how much sense it made to include high school students, not just college and professional athletes, at the 200-meter, six-lane hydraulically banked track.

The first year, in December 2021, Alsept says she was nervous expecting 200 students to show up. Instead, 500 athletes came to Spokane to compete. Today, there are four annual track meets, with the largest events drawing upward of 1,700 high school athletes from across the country.

“It’s a lot of work, and everyone was saying, 'You’re crazy for doing this,'” Alsept recalls. “But it’s truly been so fruitful, and it’s been really cool to provide those opportunities for high schoolers.”

Ashley Blake, CEO of Spokane Sports, describes Alsept as the driving force behind the indoor track and field season at The Podium. When the organization's planned outdoor cross-country course, dubbed The Course Spokane Valley, is completed next year, Alsept will be the driving force there, too.

In addition to managing all the details and logistics involved with planning such large events, Alsept has also played a key role in securing some of the organization’s biggest events, including NCAA championships and nationally recognized running events, she says.

“Her dedication, attention to detail, and ability to deliver high-caliber events have raised the standards for sports tourism in our region,” Blake says in an email. “We are incredibly proud to see her recognition as a Rising Star.”

Alsept's internship at Spokane Sports began in 2018. Alsept had heard talk of a new indoor track and field venue called the Sportsplex — the original name for The Podium — that was set to break ground soon, and she decided to find a way to be involved in that work. She had never heard of Spokane Sports prior to becoming an intern there, but as an athlete herself, she realized she had actually participated in many events growing up that the organization had helped to create or bring to Spokane, she says.

As an intern, she lent a hand as needed and eventually “begged” for Spokane Sports to hire her. She started part-time at Spokane Sports while also working part-time at the Spokane Public Facilities District doing event management. Eventually, Spokane Sports hired her to work full-time and she has served in several roles since joining seven years ago.

When The Podium was completed in 2021, leaders at Spokane Sports saw a need to establish a new position that would be responsible to oversee the sales and event creation and management for all events that come to the city. 

Alsept has been in that role now for five years and manages about 12 indoor meets per season where she handles logistics and personnel. On the sales side, she works to attract new events to Spokane.

Alsept is a Spokane native and life-long runner. She attended Northwest Christian High School and ran cross country and track from childhood through her time in college at Grand Canyon University, in Phoenix, Arizona.  She earned a degree in exercise science and moved back to Eastern Washington to further her education by taking additional courses to enter the nutrition and dietetics field, unaware that such a role existed at Spokane Sports. 

Once she began interning at the organization and learning more about the work, she says she knew she had found the career path she wanted to build upon.

Next, Alsept says she’s looking forward to the opening of The Course Spokane Valley by fall 2026, which will operate in connection with The Podium.

“I’m really looking forward to launching that facility and ... giving it a name and making a place for it here in our community and nationwide,” Alsept says of the new venue.