Cash Stone’s journey in athletics began at Burlington-Edison High School, where he lettered three years in football and baseball and four years in wrestling under coach Francis Bacoka. From the start, he showed remarkable dominance on the mat—losing just one match as a freshman before going unbeaten the rest of his high school career.

From there, Cash continued his wrestling success at Skagit Valley Community College with coach Bo Campbell, where he once again went undefeated, competing at 137 and 147 pounds. His career then carried him to Washington State University, where he wrestled under Bill Tomaras. In 1958, he captured the 130-pound championship at the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate Tournament and was honored by his teammates with the Inspirational Wrestler Award.

After earning his teaching degree, Cash began shaping lives in the classroom and on the mat. In 1959, he became the head wrestling coach at Mead High School, a position he would hold for 38 years. His program became one of the most respected in the state, built on his energy, compassion, and tireless commitment to students and athletes. During his tenure, his teams compiled a dual meet record of 450-124-6, claimed 13 league championships, 15 district titles, 8 regional crowns, and two state championships in 1983 and 1993. Along the way, he coached 60 state placers, including 10 individual state champions, and guided Mead to 10 top-ten state finishes.

Cash’s success did not go unnoticed. He was recognized as the Washington State Wrestling Coach of the Year in 1983, the Inland Empire Coach of the Year in 1993, and received numerous other honors, including induction into the Washington Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. In 1997, he became the first Washington coach inducted into the National Federation of State High School Associations Coaches Hall of Fame, and in 1999, the first wrestling coach inducted into the Inland Empire Sports Hall of Fame. His Hall of Fame recognitions continued with the Washington Chapter of the National Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002.

Over nearly four decades at Mead, Cash Stone’s influence extended far beyond victories and championships. His energy, integrity, and genuine care for people left a lasting impact on generations of students, athletes, and colleagues, cementing his place as one of Washington’s legendary coaches.