Sehome's Hanna Tarleton has enjoyed a strong career in both soccer and track in her time as a Mariner.

The senior led the soccer program to a Class 2A State Title in 2010, as well as a girls' track and field title.

For her work on the field, in the classroom and in the community, she has been recognized as a state finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award.

Of the 45,000 seniors who applied nationwide, 617 applicants came from Washington. Tarleton was selected as one of 20 state finalists.

A press release states finalists embody the Heisman spirit of hard work and dedication through their outstanding achievements in athletics, academics and community/school leadership.

Tarleton is now in the running to become a state winner - the next phase of the program before applicants advance to become national winners.

Of the state winners, 12 student athletes will be chosen as National Finalists and will compete for the National Winner title in New York on Friday, Dec. 7.

Tarleton has scored 11 goals this season and has tallied a Northwest Conference-best 13 assists. Sehome has clinched a spot in the Class 2A State Tournament and opens play with a home match on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

FORMER SEDRO-WOLLEY COACH/TEACHER SENTENCED

Former Sedro-Woolley High School teacher and football coach Bryan Alexander was sentenced Wednesday, Oct. 31, to 60 days in jail for sending sexually explicit text messages to a student in 2009 and 2010.

The 39-year-old Alexander pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation in Skagit County Superior Court.

Former students interviewed as part of the investigation reported Alexander rubbing girls' shoulders and looking down their shirts. They also said pretty girls and athletes benefitted from favoritism.

Alexander does not have to register as a sex offender, but is being forced to turn in his teaching license.

"When you signed on to be a teacher and a head football coach, you decided you were going to be a role model to the students at that school," Judge Dave Needy said during sentencing in a story by the Skagit Valley Herald. "You set a very poor example."

WIAA ANNOUNCES FALL ACADEMIC STATE CHAMPIONS

The list of 2012 fall sports academic team champions was released Tuesday, Oct. 30, and no Whatcom County schools were state title winners.

The highest GPA in boys' cross country went to Roosevelt High School, which had an accumulative grade point average of 3.94 on its 10-person team. Walla Walla High school earned top honors in girls' cross country. The eight-person team had a GPA of 3.979. Pullman won the award in girls' soccer with its GPA of 3.858, DeSales High School had the top football GPA with a 3.530, Hockinson won girls' swimming with its 3.860 GPA, and 1B school Tekoa-Oakesdale had the top volleyball GPA with a 3.935.

No Whatcom County school earned a fall state academic title in 2011, either.

Reach ANDREW LANG at andrew.lang@bellinghamherald.com or call ext. 862.