Each month throughout the remainder of the school year, the WIAA and Les Schwab Tire Centers will recognize a varsity Team of the Month for each of the six classifications. Winning teams will be chosen based on performance, dedication in the classroom and service to the community. Each Team of the Month winner will receive the following, courtesy of Les Schwab:
- A Commemorative Trophy
- $100 Donated to Their Program
Team of the Month winners will be selected based on nominations. To nominate a team for consideration, please fill out the Team of the Month Nomination Form. Both athletic and activity teams are eligible:
2023-2024 WINNERS
DESALES BASEBALL (1B)
DeSales Baseball got off to a red-hot start in the month of March with a 6-0 record, outscoring their opponents 118-6. Four of the team’s wins have come against 2B schools and the other two were at the start of the league season. The hot start is also impressive because of all the other commitments these athletes have at a small school. Seven of the players started the season a week late due to making State Basketball. And one of the team’s senior starters has missed time due to participating in State Knowledgebowl. All 17 players members of the roster are multi-sport athletes, including 11 that play three sports. This is a well-rounded team that works hard all year round on the field and in the classroom.
CASCADE BOYS SOCCER (1A)
The Cascade (Leavenworth) boys soccer team is a premier soccer program in Washington State. Eager to build on a quarterfinal finish at the 2023 State Tournament, the Kodiaks have been on fire this season with an undefeated 6-0 record, making them the top-ranked 1A team in the state. The Kodiaks’ wins have not come without tough competitions, as they have faced top-ranked teams lke 10th-ranked Bridgeport. The Kodiaks also managed to give Caribou Trail League rival Quincy its first loss of the season. For Cascade, this season has featured 27 goals in favor and only 2 against. The team’s offensive attack is led by senior captain Angel Sandoval, who has totaled 9 goals and 2 hat tricks this season. On the defense, captain Ryan Denega has led the team to 4 shutout games so far. Off the pitch, the team is equally as impressive, prioritizing school and earning a cumulative 3.32 GPA. In addition to their efforts on the field and in the classroom, the Kodiaks care deeply about their community and can be found promoting youth and middle-level soccer in the valley.
WAHLUKE GIRLS TRACK & FIELD (1A)
On March 21, at Quincy High School, the Wahluke girls track and field team won the elusive title of “Best in the Basin” by defeating the Moses Lake, Ephrata, Royal City, Othello, and Quincy with a score of 151 points. This is the first time in its history that Wahluke has earned the title of “Best in the Basin.” It was also the first time Wahluke had ever won an invitational. The girls accomplished this goal on the track, from the thrower’s pit, on the vaults, and in the relays. The girls got top-8 finishes from athletes across the team, pulling off the victory with a balanced attack, highlighted by Stephany Elias’ first-place finish in the 3200m run and Jasmin Gil’s win in the pole vault, capped off by a dominant performance in the 4x400m run.
TUMWATER DANCE/DRILL (2A)
Coming off of their stunning victory for Small Varsity Kick at DTU Nationals in Orlando, the Tumwater High School dance team won two WIAA State Titles in 1A/2A Pom and 1A/2A Hip Hop. They also took second in the 1A/2A/3A Dance category, narrowly missing out on a “clean sweep”. The Thunderbirds are led by head coach Kim Griffin and assistant coach Cassidy Moyes, alongside team captains and lieutenants Ashley Lynch, Raylee Higgins, Bella Huld, Ashlyn Bowes, Nataleigh Moyes , Peyton Pierce, Olivia Rao, and Jaxsin Moreno. They currently have the most overall first-place finishes in dance/drill history.
GIG HARBOR DANCE/DRILL (3A)
Gig Harbor High School’s H2Whoa dance team has just wrapped up an outstanding season, clinching 1st place in hip-hop and 2nd place in pom at the State Championships. Their journey to these victories began back in July, with relentless dedication and determination propelling them forward. Dominating at the district level, the girls secured 1st place in both hip-hop and pom, a remarkable achievement, especially considering it was the team’s inaugural year competing in pom. Despite facing challenges such as limited gym space and the absence of designated dance facilities, the team persevered, often practicing in the school common area. Without the aid of dance mirrors, they honed their skills, ensuring flawless synchronization through their tight-knit camaraderie and unwavering teamwork. Their success is a testament to their resilience and unity. Throughout their journey, the girls of Gig Harbor High School’s H2Whoa dance team showcased their talent not only on the competition floor, but also within their own school community. They delighted their fellow students numerous times by performing at assemblies, captivating audiences with their electrifying routines. Additionally, they brought fresh energy to home football game nights, unveiling new dances that lit up the stadium with excitement and school spirit.
LEWIS & CLARK BOYS TRACK & FIELD (4A)
Lewis & Clark High School had an outstanding opening meet, hosting a 10-team invitational. Leading up to the meet, the integrity and quality of this program was proven in a way that is deserving of recognition. While the distance kids were training hill repeats at a nearby park, their coach had a cardiac emergency. The kids on the team provided CPR, ran to a neighboring house, called 911, and directed emergency services to their coach and ended up saving their coach’s life.
WELLPINIT BOYS BASKETBALL (1B)
The Wellpinit Redskins boys basketball team polished off a dominant 2023-24 season this past month, finishing off the 1B State Basketball Tournament with a first-place trophy for the second straight year. Trailing by 10 with just under six minutes remaining in the Title game, Wellpinit went on an 18-2 run to close out the contest and cut down the nets at Spokane Arena. They finished the season 24-2 overall with wins in their final 17 games, including a 26-point victory in the Championship game of the District 7 1B Boys Tournament.
TONASKET BOYS WRESTLING (2B)
Tonasket’s boys wrestling team repeated as 1B/2B State Champions in February, scoring 217 team points to win the Championship by an astounding 85 points. The Wildcats had seven finalists and ended the tournament with three individual State Champions. Another three athletes also finished in the top-six spots of their respective weight classes.
 WAPATO GIRLS BASKETBALL (1A)
Behind the strength of a young, up-and-coming roster, the Wapato girls basketball team continues to show promise in the 1A classification. In 2023-24, they repeated as SCAC West League Champs, going 6-0 in conference play and 19-1 overall. Four of the team’s five starters are on the league’s leading scorers chart (1st, 2nd, 5th, and 7th), including three underclassmen. The Wolves have also been putting up numbers in the classroom, with all 12 players currently maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher.
 LYNDEN GIRLS BASKETBALL (2A)
The Lynden girls basketball team recently won it’s fourth 2A State Basketball Title, breaking Ellensburg’s 75-game win streak and shot at a three-peat. The Lions finished the year 27-1, dominating both League and District Tournaments en route to their Title run at the Yakima Valley SunDome. This is the first time in school history that both Boys and Girls have won State Basketball Championships in the same year.
 FERRIS CHEERLEADING (3A)
For the first time in program history, the Ferrish High School cheer squad took home a first-place trophy at the State Tournament competition in Battle Ground, placing first in the Coed Game Day and second in the Coed Traditional category. They also placed fifth in USA Nationals Coed Crowdleader and seventh in USA Coed Show Cheer. The team consistently placed first all season at the WSCCA qualifying competitions in Traditional and in Game Day. They cheer on the Ferris sideline for football, volleyball, wrestling and basketball. The team was instrumental in our school taking back our rivalry game’s prize, The Rubber Chicken, in January 2024. The team of 22 has an average GPA of 3.373 and volunteers with classmates with special needs, as well as several elementary school events.
TAHOMA BOYS WRESTLING (4A)
For the fifth time in school history, the Tahoma Bears proudly stand as State Champions. However, the journey to the dome didn’t commence smoothly. Despite an organized send-off from the local Maple Valley police and fire departments, accompanied by a chorus of cheering parents, there was a significant hiccup – the bus they’d chartered went to Mount Tahoma instead. Fortunately, our Maple Valley Mayor, Sean Kelly, sprang into action, swiftly snagging another bus from the garage and driving the team himself to ensure a timely arrival at the Tacoma Dome. Once there, everyone weighed in for day one and immediately got down to business. This year marked a Tahoma record for State participants, as the Bears produced an impressive total of 19 wrestlers. The team’s primary competition and returning State Champions, the Chiawana Riverhawks, brought their A-game, placing 9 out of their 12 wrestlers in the tournament, but the Bears were more than ready to grapple. Throughout the two-day tournament, there were moments of nail-biting tension, as team scores remained closely contested until the final placing round before the finals. The turning point arrived when the Bears secured three consecutive wins, two of which were by fall within a remarkable 15-second span. With these victories, Tahoma effectively secured the team victory. The Bears didn’t stop there, shattering several records during the Tournament. Notably, they surpassed the State scoring record in the 4A classification with an impressive 193.5 points this year. Additionally, Tahoma broke the record for the number of State placers in the 4A tournament, with an outstanding 12 wrestlers making their mark. Crew Lambro emerged as the highest-placing Bear, clinching the state title at 106 pounds and further widening the gap in team scores with a decisive win against Chiawana. Freshman Owen Marshall also showcased his prowess, earning a spot in the Finals at 120 pounds. Other notable performances included Alex Othon, Isac Deonigi, and Cyrus Comia, all of whom took third place with outstanding displays of skill and determination. Though they fell short of reaching the finals, their resilience and tenacity were evident as they battled back to claim the next best thing. Rounding out an impressive list of placers were Colby Hill (5th), Jackson Stoops (8th), Carter Tughan (7th), Gavin Wells (5th), Joe Sullivan (5th), Adriano Perez (4th), and Kage Repenn (4th).
CHIEF LESCHI BOYS BASKETBALL (2B)
The Chief Leschi boys basketball team has survived a ton of adversity this season, suffering injuries to two starters, one of whom leads the team in scoring. They have persevered to climb out of an early season hole by banding together as brothers and having the ‘next-man-up’ mentality. That being said, they have strung together a 10-game winning streak to end the season. They have slowly crept up the RPI standings, having been ranked 24th when the injuries happened, and now have broken into the Top-10 after defeating league rival Ilwaco by 15pts. Their leading scorer comes back on February 1st just in time for the playoffs, and this team has become somebody that no other program wants to run into come tournament time. During the 10-game win streak they have a combined point-differential of 193, making them one of the hottest teams in boys basketball right now.
 NOOKSACK VALLEY GIRLS BASKETBALL (1A)
The Nooksack Valley girls basketball team has had a fantastic season so far. The Pioneers have played some tough competition, excelling at every step of the way. Starting off with wins against Kentwood and Archbishop Murphy, they continued their winning streak by beating top-ranked Lynden and top-ranked Mead, as well as Seattle Prep. Their only loss was to 5A Lake City Idaho in the championship game of the Glacier Peak Christmas Tournament. The Pioneers also defeated the Lyncs of Lynden Christian in the early parts of January. Nooksack is led by McDonald All American Nominee Devin Coopinger, who does some incredible work but shares the ball well. In addition to working hard on the court and in the weight room, the team works hard in the classroom. Currently, the girls maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.819, with most upperclassmen taking advanced courses. Additionally, the Pioneers volunteer their weekends, officiating community little league basketball games. They also were able to help raise money and shop for three families in our community for Christmas. These young women are exceptional on and off the court.
 PULLMAN BOYS SWIM & DIVE (2A)
The Pullman High School boys swim team finished its regular season undefeated in the 2A classification, racking up wins against every team in Eastern Washington, regardless of classification, and winning the Greater Spokane League Championship. They also broke the school records for the 200 Medley Relay, 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 500 Freestyle, 200 Free Realy, 100 Backstroke, 100 Breastroke, and the 400 Free Relay.
 KENNEWICK BOWLING (3A)
The Kennewick Lady Lions bowling team capped off a great season this past month en route to a decisive 3A State Championship victory. In Mid-Columbia Conference regular season play, they finished without a loss, going 14-0 against tough competition in both the 3A and 4A classifications. Juggling schedules between class work, band practice, volleyball, and volunteer work at freshman football games, the girls still managed to roll games of 820 or better throughout the season, capping it off with a other-worldly 1005-point game. Led by Kourtnie Foss, who bowled a season-high 265-pin game, alongside multiple 200-plus pin games from Calista Tippett, Kennewick bested all schools at the MCC 3A District Tournament at the end of January to earn a spot in the State Championships at Bowlero in Tukwila. These ladies represented their school at the State Championship with enthusiasm, dignity, and excellence on the lanes.
 
OAK HARBOR GIRLS WRESTLING (3A)
Oak Harbor Girls Wrestling continues to dominate the mat this season. The Wildcats finished first place in their last two tournaments of January, winning the inaugural Rock Island Rumble in Oak Harbor against fourteen teams before placing first this at the Borderite Blizzard in Blaine. The girls also finished first in another tournament at Kamiak, marking three tournament championships in the month of January. They won their first League Title in school history, as well as their 3A/4A sub-district championship, and will send 13 girls to Regionals.
LAKE STEVENS BOYS WRESTLINGÂ (4A)
Lake Stevens’ boys wrestling program has had a very productive season so far, taking seventh in Tri-State out of 60 teams from more than three states, as well as taking eighth out of 100 teams over six states. The team looks to achieve its 12th State Title this year, working hard on the mat while handling business in the classroom, with several wrestlers maintaining 4.0 GPAs. Lake Stevens currently has three guys ranked in first in state — Jacob Christanson, Koen Mattern, and Ahmad Banishamsa — with several others ranked in the top-10 overall.
RAINIER GIRLS BASKETBALL (2B)
The Rainier Girls’ Basketball Team has had an exhilarating first half of their season, including an 8-0 record in the month of December. The team shares remarkable chemistry, having played together since elementary school. Currently ranked number one in the WIAA RPI Rankings, they are coming out of the holiday break with a record of 13-0 after securing challenging victories against two schools from the east side of the mountains, Mabton and Brewster. They look forward to the remainder of the season, especially with the building anticipation for their upcoming tough central 2b matchups.
 ZILLAH BOYS BASKETBALL (1A)
The Zillah boys basketball team went a perfect 8-0 in the month of December. They currently sit at the top of the WIAA’s 1A RPI rankings, finishing off the 2023 calendar year with impressive victories over high-ranking opponents, including wins against teams from larger classifications. Throughout the month of December, Zillah knocked off third-ranked Grandview, fifth-ranked Quincy, and sixth-ranked Lynden, as well as Prosser and Selah, two top-20 schools in the 2A classification. The Tigers were led by their three top scorers, Dekker Van de Graaf (23 points per game), Nic Navarre (18 points per game), and Yizzy Sandoval (12 points per game).
 ELLENSBURG GIRLS BASKETBALL (2A)
The Ellensburg girls basketball team is STILL on a roll, pushing their current winning streak to a historic 61 games. They wrapped up the year with huge wins against Chiawana, W.F. West, Mt. Si, and two strong California teams, Yuca Valley and San Dimas, on a trip to Palm Springs. These athletes have represented their community extremely well, maintaining an impressive 3.799 Team GPA with a 97% attendance rate. The girls and Coach Ravet have gotten off to a hot start in league competition, taking down fourth-ranked Prosser. In their first 10 games of the season, they outscored opponents by an average of 64 points to just 37 per contest. To start the new year, the Bulldogs are preparing to host a Coaches vs. Cancer game on January 20th. This team is a great representation of the best of Ellensburg, and they continue to make their community proud with their ongoing accomplishments.Â
 NATHAN HALE BOWLING (3A)
Just three years into its existence, Nathan Hale bowling team is currently just a half-game out of first place in the Metro League standings. At 7-1, they sit right behind Holy Names Academy (8-1), each team having handed the other its only loss of the season. In the month of December, the Raiders took all the high scores and high series scores for team, individuals, and Baker competitions. They compiled the following results: Team Game-High – 721; Team Total Pins – 1647; Individual Game-High – 221 (Paige Rude); Series High – 390 (Paige Rude); Baker Two-Game – 286. Last year, Nathan Hale won the State Academic Champions award for bowling and are working hard in the classroom to repeat. The team also helps with concessions at basketball games and runs a booth at the Bite of Hale. They also work to support the University of Washington’s commencement ceremony in June.
 
SILAS BOYS WRESTLING (3A)
During the month of December, Silas High School’s boys wrestling team complied a 6-0 record against top-tier competition. They took down Stadium (60-21), Olympic (60-30), Wenatchee (57-21), Central Kitsap (42-27), North Kitsap (46-30), and second-ranked South Kitsap (39-36). The Rams have competed in five tournaments, taking first overall at the Auburn Invite, Olympic Duals, and The Doc Herren invite, taking fourth place at The Hammer Head Invite in a field of over 60 teams. Silas also traveled to Pac-Coast, where they placed fifth out of over 140 teams. Both The Hammer Head Invite and Pac-Coast are known to be highly competitive. Tacoma has not historically been known for wrestling, but Silas is slowly trying to turn that around, helping these students on and off the mat.
 SUMNER GYMNASTICS (4A)
The Sumner High School gymnastics program earned its highest total team score in school history in the first meet of the 2023-24 season, putting up 180.1 points. They have placed first as a team in 16 consecutive regular season meets, starting this year undefeated. Five or more gymnasts placed in the event top-10 in both of the first meets of December. In the classroom, the team maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.6, and Sumner gymnasts always make sure to help put away and move equipment at meets. Many of the athletes give back to the sport by coaching younger gymnasts at Ascend Gymnastics.
CROSSPOINT GIRLS SOCCER (1B)
The Crosspoint girls soccer team did it ALL this season, winning the League Title, District Title and Academic State Championship (3.87 GPA) en route to the 1B/2B Girls Soccer State Title, wrapping up the 2023 season with a perfect 19-0 record. The Warriors are one of only five 1B girls soccer teams in Washington state (enrollment under 105) and compete with the 2B schools (enrollment under 225). The Warriors were stingy on defense, allowing just seven goals while scoring 86. A lethal (and rare) combination of brains and talent, this team earned its third consecutive Academic State Championship. Boasting a young roster that includes the 2x League MVP in sophomore Brooke Berens and the 2x Coach of the Year in second-year coach Scean Pickering, this team is poised to accomplish many more great things in the future.
MANSON VOLLEYBALL (2B)
Manson’s volleyball team stands as a beacon of excellence. Their recent 2B State Championship victory is a historic milestone, marking the first in school history for any sport. Boasting an undefeated season with at 14-0 in their league and a flawless 24-0 overall, Manson showcased exceptional skill and resilience. Notable victories against La Conner and Chelan, both defending Champions, underscored the team’s ability to rise to the occasion. Beyond the regular season, the team’s commitment to year-round volleyball activities speaks to their dedication. Their unity, akin to a closely-knit family, is a driving force behind their success both on and off the court. The overwhelming community support witnessed throughout the season, especially during the State Championship Match, attests to Manson’s capacity to unite their community. Themed home games and gestures of appreciation boosted attendance throughout the season and cultivated a profound sense of community pride. Their exceptional achievements, unwavering team spirit, and positive impact on the community are a testament to the power of their collective effort.
CHELAN VOLLEYBALL (1A)
Despite a 1-2 start to the season, the Chelan Mountain Goats volleyball team orchestrated a stunning comeback, embarking on a triumphant journey that saw them clinch their fourth-consecutive 1A State Championship. Their remarkable turnaround included an awe-inspiring streak of 17 consecutive victories. Throughout the State Championship, they displayed dominance, securing four playoff matches with flawless straight-set sweeps, conceding only one set during the intense State Title game against Freeman, ultimately triumphing 3 to 1. Beyond their exceptional performance on the court, the team excelled academically, boasting a commendable team grade point average of 3.717. Both on and off the court, they embodied the spirit of Chelan, representing their community with pride and excellence.
ANACORTES FOOTBALL (2A)
The top-ranked Anacortes Seahawks won the Northwest Conference Championship for the first time in program history this past month, taking the Title game in a thrilling 15-8 victory over the two-time defending State Champions from Lynden, a team they hadn’t beaten in close to two decades. No less than four years ago, Anacortes was unable to field a varsity program, with its two seniors going to play for another school. The community and school have been energized by the program, resulting in one of the most successful two-year runs for Anacortes student-athletes as a whole. This past weekend, the Seahawks made history, capping a historic season by winning the 2A State Championship, the first in program history, with a 60-30 win over Tumwater.
CURTIS GIRLS SWIM & DIVE (4A)
The 2023 Curtis Girls Swim and Dive team redefined dominance, conquering every tier of competition to claim league, district, state, and academic state titles. Their journey was marked by an impressive roster of multiple relay state champions and a cohort of talented state placers. Of particular note was their historic feat in securing Curtis High School’s maiden WIAA 4A State Championship, alongside commanding victories in the WCDIII and SPSL Championships. Beyond their athletic prowess, the team exemplified academic excellence, earning the prestigious Academic State Champions title, underlined by an outstanding 3.79 GPA. Their triumphs not only in the pool but also in the classroom solidified their legacy as a powerhouse team, showcasing unwavering dedication and skill in all areas.
WENATCHEE VOLLEYBALLÂ (4A)
Wenatchee volleyball had a school history-making season, finishing the season 15-1 in regular season play. They won the Sundome Tournament and the Linda Sheridan Tournament at the beginning of the season without dropping a single set. The Panthers also clinched the Big 9 League Title and Big 9 District Title for the third year in a row. Then, on the biggest state, they went 4-0 at the State Tournament, ending their season with the 4A Championship Title. This is the first State Title and State trophy that Wenatchee has brought home to their school in 40 years. The Panthers had seven players receive First- and Second-Team All-League honors, including one athlete who was named Big 9 Player of the Year. The Panthers also broke eight individual schools records and four team school records. This season will forever be remembered as historic in the annals of Wenatchee High School.
PATEROS GIRLS SOCCER (1B)
The Pateros girls soccer team has had a great month of October, winning seven of their past eight games. A 1B school that opts up to play against 2B teams, the Billygoats have secured fourth place in a league that includes programs such as Okanagan, Tonasket, and Brewster. This season, Pateros, which started its girls soccer program in 2018, will make its first ever postseason appearance. They’ve also done a great job in the classroom, going the entire season without losing any students to academic ineligibility or ejections. They have been playing great soccer and have rallied our community to come out in support. Pateros will host its first ever district playoff game this week.
CLE ELUM-ROSLYN GIRLS SOCCER (2B)
The Cle Elum-Roslyn girls soccer team has gone undefeated through regular season play this fall, finishing with a 17-0 record to earn the title of EWAC 2B League Champions. Three of their wins have been against top-10 opponents. They have scored 113 goals as a team while allowing just four goals to opponents. Remarkably, 17 different players have scored this season. The Warriors have not only excelled on the field, but also in the classroom, where they earned the title of WIAA 2B Fall Academic State Champions. Many of the girls are stewards of service and are highly active in their community with involvement in several school clubs and extracurriculars.
TOPPENISH VOLLEYBALL (1A)
Throughout the month of October, the Toppenish volleyball team delivered an impeccable performance en route to a flawless 9-0 record in regular season matches, not to mention an astounding 11-0 including tournament play. This team’s dominance is evident in their remarkable statistics, having lost only four total sets during a month in which they displayed unrivaled consistency and determination. Their impressive 20-match winning streak speaks volumes about their commitment to excellence. This achievement has culminated in Toppenish’s best regular season finish in school history, as they wrapped up the season with an outstanding 15-1 overall record. The team also secured the SCAC West League Championship, marking a historic moment as they clinched their first League Title in 30 years.
SQUALICUM BOYS TENNIS (2A)
The Squalicum High School Boys Varsity Tennis team exemplifies all of the best characteristics we would hope for in student-athletes. This well-rounded squad defined season goals related not only to athletic excellence, but also to positive team culture and contributing to their community. The 12-member squad currently thrives academically, with five members enrolled in nine different AP courses, three full-time Running Start participants, and others whose academic load includes courses ranging from woodworking and videogame design to robotics and aerospace engineering. Six of them participate in other sports, and three are members of jazz band and orchestra. On the tennis court, we currently have nine individual athletes posting winning seasons; five of them have 71% or higher winning records. The most astonishing collective accomplishment of this squad is the number and win percentage of tie-breaks—the most difficult and stressful situation that tennis players face. As a team they’ve played 27 tie-breaks, winning 22 of them. That 82% tie-break win percentage is extraordinary in high school tennis (the top pro player has an 85% win rate). Ten of our 12 varsity athletes contributed to this effort, which includes eleven victories in 7-point tie-breaks, eight in 10-point super-tie-breaks and three third set wins. Finally, the squad demonstrated exceptional teamwork during a recent community service project. Together, the cooked and assembled 40 meals for unsheltered neighbors in downtown Bellingham. They cooked rice, beans, meat and vegetables for tasty burritos, baked brownies and assembled bags with drinks, grapes, chips and salsa containers. This nomination is in recognition of their gritty play in tough-clutch scenarios on the tennis courts, their academic excellence and their compassionate action toward caring for community members. The attached photo is of the team preparing food for Meal Train in Bellingham.
PRAIRIE BOYS CROSS COUNTRY (3A)
The Prairie Falcons boys cross country team just won the District 4 Championship, defeating rival Kelso 30-35 for the first time in three years. They were led by an outstanding student-athlete core that includes four 4.0 GPA student-athletes. Most impressively, three members of the championship squad could be seen playing in the high school pep band at the varsity football game later that evening. They look to qualify for the State Championships for the second time in school history this Saturday.
KENTWOOD GIRLS GOLFÂ (4A)
The Kentwood girls golf team had a great season, finishing the season with a 10-0 record and putting a medalist on the podium in each of those matches. Kentwood’s varsity team won the NPSL Cascade League Division, with all girls placing in top 15 individually, three of the six placing in the top five, and one being the highest points scorer in the league. Kentwood also won the Kent All-City Tournament at Riverbend as a team, with the overall individual winner being a girl from Kentwood. Five of the 10 girls total on Kentwood’s team had never touched a golf club before, but they still came to practices and had the willingness to learn. Outside of golf, many girls on the team are challenging themselves with AP classes, College in the High School classes, or running start. The co-captains of the team also volunteer with the First Tee golf program as well to give back to the community.
NORTHPORT VOLLEYBALL (1B)
Northport volleyball has only dropped five sets all year, going 10-1 in September with a 5-0 record in league play. Their hot start to the season has included non-league wins against bigger schools, including Davenport, St. George’s, Reardan and Colville. The Lady Mustangs boast a 3.88 GPA, with most team members also involving themselves in ASB leadership in some capacity. Just a little over a month into the school year, this team has already run their own fundraiser, supported the Lions Club at their Labor Day fundraiser, and begun planning the upcoming Homecoming spirit week and dance.
RIVER VIEW VOLLEYBALL (2B)
The River View volleyball team has become the pride of its community. Over the summer, head coach Allyson Stanley put together a local league to help her team and other programs save money by not having to travel for summer volleyball activities. She assembled an eight-team varsity and six-team junior varsity schedule, contacted the officials association to get them on board, and orchestrated the league from River View High School on Monday nights. Now, as of the end of September, her team is 9-0 and has only lost two sets in total, with multiple wins against schools in larger classifications. Perhaps even more impressive, the team has a combined GPA of 3.76, the highest in six years at RVHS. In addition to their success on and off the court, many of the girls have assisted with their school’s blood drive.
KING’S FOOTBALL (1A)
The King’s football team is off to a 5-0 record to start the season, including a thrilling 28-26 win against previously top-ranked ranked Nooksack Valley, alongside an impressive victory over Nisqually League juggernaut Cascade Christian. In their five games, King’s has outscored its opponents 187-68, racking up 2006 total yards while allowing just 894. When they’re not giving their fanbase something to root for on the field, the Knights are supporting their community, keeping the stadium clean and cheering on the elementary students at Carpool.
ROGERS (SPOKANE) FOOTBALL (2A)
The football team at Rogers High School in Spokane worked hard in September, persevering to earn the school’s first 4-0 record since 1968. These student-athletes are a testament to how hard hard work and belief in one other can translate into success. They have brought together the community, embodying their school motto “Familia Sumus (We are Family).” While relentless in their commitment to one other, requiring 100% classroom attendance and a minimum 2.3 GPA for playing eligibility, the Pirates are also generous in giving back to other communities. Following their first game of the season against Medical Lake, Rogers donated 100% of the game’s entry funds to the Medical Lake community, whose town was deeply impacted by wildfires over the summer.
SNOHOMISH BOYS TENNIS (3A)
The Snohomish boys tennis team, led by 2023 State competitor Cade Strickland and four other seniors, is off to a blistering 7-1 start to the season. Three of the matches have ended in nail-biting 4-3 victories for the Panthers, who’ve had different players step up to help clinch the win in each those tight matches. Earlier this month, Snohomish beat Monroe 5-2 in the first-ever ‘Wesco Night Match’, featuring the top two teams in Wesco North. Behind the leadership of their five seniors, Snohomish also has victories over Shorecrest, Edmonds-Woodway and cross-town rival Glacier Peak. Last year, this team received the highest award for scholarship from the WIAA and looks to do the same for the 2023-24 school year.
MOUNT SI GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY (4A)
The Mount Si girls cross country team has propelled the program to new heights, putting their drive and effort on display on a daily basis. They are always eager to do their best wherever and whenever in order to achieve the goal they’ve stablished for themselves: winning the 4A State Championship. They mentor younger and less experienced team members, inspiring them to stay with the sport, and they always strive for the best. As a result of their efforts, the girls program has grown dramatically — they are always together, improving day by day. As a result of their efforts, the Wildcats have a combined 3.7+ GPA, with all of their top five competitors owning 5k times of under 18:20.
