BEAVERTON, Ore. -- When Ricky Slade landed at Portland International Airport last week, it was his first time on the West Coast. And immediately, he could tell it was different.
The stifling humidity he grew up accustomed to in Northern Virginia gave way to crisp, cool mornings. The days at The Opening Finals featured cloudless afternoons and brilliant sunsets lining the horizon as drills and workouts stretched into the evenings.
"It's different from Virginia," Slade said last week. "It's a good different, though. I like it. I could stay out here. It's beautiful.