ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
CHERISH MORRISON
School: Blaine
Year: Senior
Event: Sprints
What she did: Won Class 2A state titles in the 100 meters (12.36 seconds), 200 meters (24.92 seconds) and 400 meters (state meet-record 56.09 seconds) and was part of Blaine's state title-winning and state meet record-breaking 4x400 relay. ... Finished her career with 14 state gold medals - 11 individual and three relay. ... Also won 2A Northwest District titles in all four events and the Northwest Conference title in the 100.
Coach's quote: "I don't think Cherish Morrison's potential has been tapped yet. When we got her at the start of this year, she had nine months of no running, so she was starting in the hole. Our big picture was 'Can we get her ready for the end of the season?' She lost some early races, but we kept seeing her get better and better in workouts and in races. ... She's a special athlete, and it's been special to watch her the past four years." - Mike Grambo
COACHES OF THE YEAR
KEVIN RYAN AND TIM CARLSON
School: Sehome
What they did: Despite suffering a number of losses due to injury and other factors, directed the Mariners to a second-place showing at the 2A State Championships. ... Led girls' 4x200 relay team to a state title and a new state meet record (1:41.79). ... Mariners grabbed 12 state girls' medals. ... Also coached Sehome boys' team to a fourth-place finish and Riley Fraser to a state high jump title. ... Led Mariners to Northwest Conference and 2A Northwest District titles.
FIRST TEAM
MADDIE CATTLE
School: Sehome
Year: Senior
Event: Shot put
What she did: Placed fifth in the shot put at the 2A State Championships with a personal-best throw of 36 feet, 7 inches. ... Also finished 15th at state in the discus with a throw of 95-9. ... Finished third in the shot put (35-103/4) and discus (personal-best 110-11) at the 2A Northwest District meet. ... Was second in the shot put and fourth in the discus at the Northwest Conference Championships.
Coach's quote: "Maddie is a great kid that brings a positive energy to the team. She really came into her own this year. She put in a lot of hard work in the weight room this past winter to prepare for the season. All the hard work paid off with a 'PR' performance and a fifth-place finish at state." - Tim Carlson
SHANNON DEBACKER
School: Sehome
Year: Senior
Event: Long jump
What she did: Placed fourth in the long jump at the 2A State Championships with a leap of 16 feet, 103/4 inches. ...Finished 10th in the triple jump at state with a leap of 34-31/4. ... Also was part of the Mariners' state championship and meet record-breaking 4x200 relay and second-place 4x100 relay at state. ... Finished second in the long jump (16-13/4) and fourth in the triple jump (33-7) at the 2A Northwest District meet and won the Northwest Conference title in the triple.
Coach's quote: "Has tremendous passion for the sport. Puts her heart and soul into it every day, almost to the point I have to tell her to back off because I know she will run or jump until her legs would fall off. A great leader the younger girls look up to. Having her around was like having a second coach. An outstanding four years in the long jump and relays. Leaves Sehome as a member of two school record relays. Will be greatly missed by this program." - Nic Castona
SARAH DOLESE
School: Sehome
Year: Sophomore
Event: 200 meters
What she did: Placed third in the 200 at the 2A State Championships with a time of 25.37 seconds. ... Also was part of the Mariners' state championship and meet record-breaking 4x200 relay and second-place 4x100 relay and placed fifth in the 100 (12.72 seconds) at state. ... Placed second in the 200 (personal-best 25.12 seconds) at the 2A Northwest District meet and 100 (12.32 seconds). ... Won the Northwest Conference title in the 200 and set school records in the 100 and 200.
Coach's quote: "An absolute pleasure to coach. She is fast, which is always nice, but her character and attitude is what makes having her around such a joy. Does everything a coach asks of her and more. Works extremely hard. Brings a great attitude every day to practice and meets. A great teammate who is always there to cheer others up when needed and provides a great example - day in and day out - for others to follow." - Nic Castona
MARY DYRLAND
School: Bellingham
Year: Sophomore
Event: Relays
What she did: Was part of Bellingham's 4x100 relay team that won the Class 2A state title and broke the state meet record with a time of 48.33 seconds. ... Also a part of the Red Raiders' second-place 4x200 relay team at state. ... Finished seventh in the 200 meters at the 2A Northwest District meet with a personal-best time of 27.67 seconds.
Coach's quote: "Injuries kept Mary away from the track last year. She sure made up for it in her 2012 season. Mary became an exciting new addition to the 4x1 state team. She bonded with her teammates due to her strong work ethic. Mary is a quick study and understands the concepts of the 4x1 passes. (I'm) excited that Mary will join us for two more track seasons." - Dena Birade
LAUREL ERDMAN
School: Ferndale
Year: Senior
Event: Javelin
What she did: Finished 11th at the 3A State Championships with a throw of 115 feet, 11 inches. ... Also competed in the shot put, with a personal-best throw of 38-61/4, and ran on the 4x100 and 4x200 relays for the Golden Eagles. ... Placed second in the javelin at the 3A Northwest District Meet with a personal-best 124-5 and was fifth at the Northwest Conference Championships (103-5).
Coach's quote: "As far as our end of the season awards, she won our most valuable athlete, won our most inspirational athlete and won our Jeremy Scully Award, named after our former pole vault coach. Basically, she carried our entire girls' team. ... As far as her sheer athletic ability and sheer strength, nobody can touch her at Ferndale High School. She's off the charts as far as athletic ability." - Ted Genger
GINA FLINT
School: Squalicum
Year: Junior
Event: Discus
What she did: Won the 2A state title in the discus with a personal-best throw of 143 feet, 9 inches. ... Also won the 2A state title in the shot put with a throw of 42-111/4. ... Won the 2A Northwest District titles in the shot put (personal-best 45-73/4) and discus (141-0). ... Holds the school records in both events and also won both at the Northwest Conference Championships and at all but one regular-season meet.
Coach's quote: "I saw the perfect combination of everything. She's talented physically. She's got the size. She's got the strength. She got the fast-twitch muscles and also the competitiveness and mental side to go with it. She's just an overall great thrower. It's hard to get that combination in one person." - Chris Benson
TORI FRANZEN
School: Squalicum
Year: Senior
Event: Pole vault
What she did: Finished second to teammate Kirsten Webber on jumps in the pole vault at the 2A State Championships, matching her personal-best by clearing 11 feet, 9 inches. ... Finished second at the 2A Northwest District meet (11-0). ... Won the Northwest Conference title (11-0) and finished among the top three every time she entered the event.
Coach's quote: "Tori finished fourth last year with a 10-foot jump. She spent the entire offseason preparing herself for this. She worked really hard. She had a 21-inch improvement. She did a tremendous job all through the season. An extremely hard worker, too." - Rod Kammenga
BRITTANY GAPPA
School: Squalicum
Year: Junior
Event: 3,200 meters
What she did: Finished second in the 3,200 at the 2A State Championships with a personal-best time of 10 minutes, 51.07 seconds. ... Also placed second at state in the 1,600 in 5:03.50. ... Won every other race she entered in both events, including the 2A Northwest District meet (10:59.82 and 5:07.03) and the Northwest Conference Championships 3,200 (11:02.00). ... Rebounded from a difficult sophomore season, in which a foot injury kept her from competing at state.
Coach's quote: "She was pretty focused and pretty competitive. She had goals in mind since wasn't able to compete at state last year with a foot injury. She was especially focused and motivated this year." - Katrina Henry
OLIVIA HALVERSON
School: Bellingham
Year: Junior
Event: High jump
What she did: Placed fourth in the high jump at the 2A State Championships by clearing 5 feet, 2 inches. ... Won the 2A Northwest District title in the event (5-2) and the Northwest Conference title (5-0). ... Also placed sixth at the district meet in the triple jump (32-71/2) and seventh in the long jump (15-4).
Coach's quote: "Olivia has made a name for herself as one of the most consistent, reliable and versatile athletes in the BHS jumps program. She is the only person in Bellingham High School's history to achieve the 'Hall of Fame' standards in four field events: high jump (5-4), long jump (16-01/2), triple jump (33-4) and javelin (106-11). This year she shifted some of her focus to learning the 100 hurdles and still managed to claim a district championship in high jump and place fourth at state." - Jon Knutsen
MADISON HEILMANN
School: Sehome
Year: Senior
Event: Middle distance
What she did: Placed fourth in the 800 meters with a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 17.10 seconds at the 2A State Championships. ... Also was part of the Mariners' second-place 4x400 relay team at state. ... Finished fourth in the 800 at the 2A Northwest District meet in 2:18.71 and was in the top four every time she ran in the event except one.
Coach's quote: "Madison's competitiveness showed down the stretch, as she overcame some minor injuries to have a great post season. Inspirational leader of the 4x400. A four time state placer in the 800 and the 4x400." - Kevin Ryan
MIA HODGES
School: Bellingham
Year: Freshman
Event: 800 meters
What she did: Placed third in the 800 at the 2A State Championships with a personal-best time of 2 minutes, 16.80 seconds. ... Also part of the Red Raiders' seventh-place 4x400 relay team at state. ... Placed third in the 800 at the 2A Northwest District meet (2:18.38) and seventh at the Northwest Conference Championships. ... Also was fifth at the district meet in the 1,600 (5:21.92).
Coach's quote: "Mia is a very talented middle distance runner and a great teammate to other runners, too. Her 2:16 800 meters and third at state might not have been predicted, but Mia is unfazed by competition. Mia also is an excellent student. Overall, Mia has the respect of all her teammates and coaches and has plenty of talent to develop." - Bill McClement
BEKAH JENSEN
School: Bellingham
Year: Junior
Event: Middle distance
What she did: Placed fifth in 800 at the 2A State Championships with a time of 2:18.10 and was 12th in the 1,600 meters in 5:21.60. ... Also a part of the Red Raiders' seventh-place 4x400 relay at state. ... Had personal-best runs in the 800 (2:17.81) and 1,600 (5:15.90) to finish second and fourth, respectively, at the 2A Northwest District meet and won the 800 at the Northwest Conference Championships.
Coach's quote: "Bekah is a team leader among our middle distance runners, and, as importantly, made those organizational decisions in her life this year that have allowed her best efforts to come out. So Bekah leads by example. As a result, Bekah had a wonderful season: 59 seconds (split) in the 4x400, 2:17 in the 800, 5:15 in the 1,600. Although this was a breakout season, this might be just the beginning, as Bekah really begins to apply what she has learned this year about herself and training and racing." - Bill McClement
ALLIE KOHR
School: Squalicum
Year: Sophomore
Event: 100 hurdles
What she did: Placed fifth in the 100 hurdles at the 2A State Championships with a time of 16.14 seconds. ... Also won the 2A Northwest District title in the event with a personal-best time of 15.44 seconds. ... Finished fifth at the Northwest Conference Championships (16.94 seconds), but was second at the Bedlington Twilight (17.54) and finished first at the 2A Sub-District meet (16.00 seconds).
Coach's quote: "She really struggled with an injury for half the season. Even though that was discouraging, she worked incredibly hard and paid attention to what her physical therapist said. It got better. She really only competed for five weeks of the season. ... She just kept asking, 'What do I need to do?' and she did it. I can't believe how fast she could have run if she actually had a full training season. I'm so proud of how well she did during the season." - Jan Flint
ZOE PETERSON
School: Squalicum
Year: Junior
Event: Triple jump
What she did: Finished 13th in the triple jump at the 2A State Championships with a leap of 33 feet, 11 inches. ... Won the 2A Northwest District title in the event with a personal-best leap of 35-61/2. ... Also ran on Squalicum's fifth-place 4x400 relay team and finished ninth in the 300 hurdles and 12th in the 100 hurdles at the Northwest Conference Championships.
Coach's quote: "This year one of the things we mentioned was her indomitable spirit. She always seemed to overcome the odds. For example, at the district meet ... she had done five of her jumps and her longest was 34-113/4 inches, which was already her PR. And there was another jumper that had jumped 35-even ... She came up to me before her last jump and said 'I'm not going to lose by a quarter inch.' ... She was never satisfied with doing her personal best. She could always do better, and she often overcame tremendous odds to do so." - Ryan Moore
EMILY PITTIS
School: Sehome
Year: Freshman
Event: 1,600 meters
What she did: Placed third in the 1,600 at the 2A State Championships with a time of 5 minutes, 5.90 seconds. ... Also placed fifth in the 3,200 at state in 11:12.20 and was part of the Mariners' second-place 4x400 relay. ... Finished second in the 1,600 (5:11.36) and 3,200 (11:13.42) at the 2A Northwest District meet and won the Northwest Conference crown in the 1,600 (5:15.00).
Coach's quote: "Emily is extremely coachable and willing to learn. She gained valuable race experience throughout the season. This along with her tenacity and team focus led to her coming up big when we needed it most at the state meet." - Kevin Ryan
ALYSSA PORTER
School: Bellingham
Year: Sophomore
Events: 100 meters
What she did: Placed second in the 100 at the 2A State Championships with a time of 12.41 seconds, and won the event at the BorderDuel in 12.21 seconds. ... Also placed fourth at state in the 200 (25.86) and was part of the Red Raiders' state title-winning and meet record-setting 4x100 relay. ... Placed third at the 2A Northwest District meet in the 100 (12.37 seconds) and 200 (25.72 seconds).
Coach's quote: "Alyssa elevated herself to a new level in the sprints by running 11.96 in the 100. She has incredible speed and power, which make her a top-notch sprinter. Specifically in the 100, Alyssa is excellent at maintaining her top speed. She is very competitive and has a relentless commitment to training. Alyssa is a competitor who performs well under extreme pressure. Looking forward to continued improvement and success in 2013." - Dena Birade
HOLLY SCHROCK
School: Bellingham
Year: Senior
Event: Relays
What she did: Was part of Bellingham's 4x100 relay team that won the Class 2A state title and broke the meet record with a time of 48.44 seconds. ... Also a part of the Red Raiders' second-place 4x200 relay team at state. ... Finished sixth in the 100 meters at the 2A Northwest District meet in 13.17 seconds and was eighth in the event at the Northwest Conference Championships. ... Finished seventh in the 200 at the NWC meet.
Coach's quote: "I consider Holly my relay specialist. Holly was so effective and efficient at the start (when) she led off on both 4x1 and 4x2 state teams. Holly is my only senior sprinter and gave a sense of calm confidence to her teammates. We will miss Holly's energy and leadership." - Dena Birade
KIERSTEN SIGFUSSON
School: Blaine
Year: Senior
Event: 400 meters
What she did: Placed second in the 400 at the 2A State Championships with a personal best time of 57.50 seconds. ... Also helped Blaine win the state title and set a state meet record in the 4x400 relay ... Ended standout career with nine state medals, including three golds. ... Finished second in the 400 (59.42 seconds ) at the 2A Northwest District meet and won the event at the Northwest Conference Championships (59.95). ... Also finished sixth in the 200 at the district meet (26.56 seconds). ... Planning to compete for Western Washington next year.
Coach's quote: "I was real pleased with Kiersten. It's a coach's dream to go 1-2 in 400. She's placed in the 400 all four years. To have two girls go 56 and 57, that's great. Then she ran a solid leg in the 4x4 to help us set the state record by three seconds. That's unheard of. A couple tenths, maybe, but three seconds? I still shake my head at that one. Plus she's just a sweet, kind kid. She had quite a career here at Blaine." - Mike Grambo
HANNA TARLETON
School: Sehome
Year: Junior
Event: 300 hurdles
What she did: Placed second in the 300 hurdles at the 2A State Championships with a time of 45.14 seconds. ... Also was part of the Mariners' state championship and meet record-breaking 4x200 relay team and their second-place 4x100 and 4x400 relays. ... Won the 2A Northwest District title in the 300 hurdles (45.73) and the Northwest Conference title in the event (46.17). ... Placed in the top three every time she ran the event.
Coach's quote: "Hanna is an athlete that gives it her all in every practice and every meet. She is always striving to be the best she can be and is always looking to improve. Every race, she doesn't stop until she crosses the finish line and pushes herself until the very end. She had some awesome races this season, and it was exciting to watch her become such a strong hurdler. She is a tremendous athlete, and it will great to see her hurdle next year." - Janelle Allison
KENDRA THOMAS
School: Sehome
Year: Sophomore
Event: Relays
What she did: Was part of the Mariners' 4x200 relay, which won the 2A state title and broke the meet record with a time of 1 minute, 43.50 seconds. ... Also part of Sehome's 4x100 relay, which placed second at state in 48.74 seconds. ... Just missed qualifying for state individually in the 100 meters, finishing fifth at the 2A Northwest District meet with a personal-best time of 12.80 seconds.
Coach's quote: "Absolutely fearless and sets the tone for us every race. She is our lead-off on both relays and always has us in contention, no matter the competition. Her positive attitude and competitiveness is second to none. We can always count on her to be in the right frame of mind every day. Whether the result is good or bad, Kendra's attitude never changes." - Nic Castona
CHANTAL TRAN
School: Bellingham
Year: Junior
Event: Sprints
What she did: Placed fourth in the 100 meters at the 2A State Championships with a time of 12.94 seconds and sixth in the 200 meters in 26.16 seconds. ... Also part of the Red Raiders' state title-winning and meet record-breaking 4x100 relay. ... Went on to place fifth in the 100 at the BorderDuel in 12.67 seconds. ... Placed fourth in the 100 and 200 at the 2A Northwest District meet and second at the Northwest Conference Championships.
Coach's quote: "Chantal was hands-down one of the leaders of the sprint team. She sets her goals high and put in the time to achieve them. No one prepares like Chantal, and the results show on the track. She is a consistent sprinter and now one of the top sprinters in the state. Chantal also is an excellent student, and I'm excited for her senior-year performances." - Dena Birade
KIRSTEN WEBBER
School: Squalicum
Year: Freshman
Event: Pole vault
What she did: Won the 2A state title in the pole vault by clearing 11 feet, 9 inches, matching her personal best. ... Went on to place fourth at the BorderDuel (11-9). ... Won the 2A Northwest District title by clearing 11 feet. ... Was second at the Northwest Conference Championships (10-6). ... Finished among the top three every time she entered the event during the regular season.
Coach's quote: "She's a very rare talent. Hard working and a very coachable gal. She has a lot of potential on the upside of her ability. She's got just a super attitude. She came in last year as an eighth grader with 10-6 jump and improved 15 inches. I thought it was a very productive year for her in competition and obviously being a state champion." Rod Kammenga
HONORABLE MENTION
Athlete School
Olivia Adams Blaine
Katie Alvord Squalicum
Madison Burke Lynden Christian
Trinell Carpenter Meridian
Aurelia Carrillo Bellingham
Jessa Clark Sehome
Kelsea Clark Meridian
Crystal Cochrane Bellingham
Shannon DeLappe Lynden
Julia DeVere Squalicum
Hosanna Diacogiannis Lynden
Randi Donahue Meridian
Sara Dougan Meridian
Jayna Edmonds Meridian
Kylie Garrison Squalicum
Lauren Gibb Squalicum
Sydney Gray Meridian
Kendra Hack Lynden
Kate Hannah Sehome
Marissa Hielkema Lynden Christian
Maddi Hommes Lynden
Shelby Jacob Lynden
Brianna Keane Sehome
Madi Krussow Squalicum
Makayla Lancaster Lynden Christian
Katie Linton Bellingham
Ashley Loreen Nooksack Valley
Emily Lucke Sehome
Taylor Lunde Meridian
Leyla Marino Meridian
Lexi McKinnon Meridian
Sofia Milstead Lynden
Bodie Medler Sehome
Janessa Murphy Meridian
Kira Nelson Meridian
Josie Newman Lynden
Olivia Olason Blaine
Alex Parson Nooksack Valley
Jessica Pauls Squalicum
Molly Rider Squalicum
Izzi Roberts Bellingham
Elsa Sandeno Sehome
Alexa Smiley Lynden
Amber Stokes Lynden
Sydney Swanson Meridian
Emily Sytsma Lynden Christian
Taylor V'Dovec Blaine
Brooke Van Dalen Lynden Christian
Alexa Vander Meulen Lynden Christian
Kieya Villars Blaine
Taryn Vis Lynden
Emily Visser Lynden Christian
Nicholia Walker-Kenison Bellingham
Madison Weg Lynden Christian
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
