Sports - Sports News

POSTED: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008

TOP 10 SPORTS STORIES FOR 2008

1. Sehome's success

The Sehome athletic programs have been no stranger to success over the years, but it's hard to imagine the Mariners duplicating the near perfect finish they had to the spring sports season in 2008.

In one amazing week that began on May 19, Sehome's sports teams collected four state championships including the girls' Class 2A state golf title, Class 2A boys' track title, a Class 2A boys' soccer championships and its second Class 2A baseball title in as many seasons. Those titles came on top of the girls' cross country and girls' swimming championships the school won in the fall.

"It was amazing that every team did as well as they did," Sehome athletic director Colin Cushman said in a story in a Bellingham Herald in July.

Not only were the four state titles in a week unprecedented for Sehome, it was also unprecedented for Whatcom County and likely the state. And as well as the Mariners did that week at the state tournament, what's even more amazing is that they were very close to a fifth title as well. The Sehome girls' track team placed second at state, coming up just 11 points shy of adding to Sehome's bounty.

It was a week that packed the Sehome trophy cases with hardware - the boys' soccer title was the second in the school's history, while the baseball title was the third - and Whatcom County with pride for its high school athletic programs.

2. Lynden wins state football title

Call it improbable. Call it amazing. Call it unbelievable.

Whatever you choose to call Lynden's come-from-behind upset win over top-ranked Prosser in the Class 2A state football championship game, it is one of the top sports stories in Whatcom County in 2008.

The Lions appeared to be headed for a loss in the Tacoma Dome on December 6, trailing the Mustangs 21-6 with a little more than two minutes to play in the game. That's when the magic happened.

The Lions rallied for two quick touchdowns in the final two minutes to force overtime and then stopped Prosser on a two-point conversion in the second overtime to claim their second title in three seasons with a 35-34 win.

Some folks in Whatcom County are already calling it the best high school football game in recent history and maybe the best ever for a local team. It certainly ranks right up there for Lynden. Not only were the Lions underdogs to the No. 1 team in the state, but the finish was as exciting as anyone could have imagined.

The game was an instant classic, showing fans and players alike that nothing is over until it's over. It also stuck another feather in the cap of the Northwest Conference, proving once again that some of the best football in the state is played in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

3. Lynden Christian is perfect

The Lynden Christian girls' basketball team spent most of the 2007-2008 season chasing perfection. On Saturday, March 1, they caught it and captured a Class 1A state title in the process.

The Lyncs wrapped up an undefeated season with a 46-35 win over Burbank Columbia at the Yakima SunDome to win their ninth state title in school history. Jill Elgersma shot the lights out from 3-point range to lift the Lyncs to a 29-0 record and a place in Whatcom County sports history.

4. Ski to Sea race day cancellations

The cancellation of the canoe leg in Ski to Sea was believed to be the first time in the 35-year race history. High and fast water on the Nooksack River led to the cancellation for Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday, May 25, strong winds up to 15 miles per hour shortened the kayak leg on Bellingham Bay from five miles to three miles.

Some dubbed the 2008 Ski to Sea as the "Ski to Plan B." Still, 445 teams participated in Whatcom County's biggest race.

The cancellation of the canoe leg also resulted in confusion at the finish line. With mountain bikers starting their leg exactly two hours after the canoeists. But improper spacing between riders on the course which led to officials having to retreive and review times from wristband chips.

The Bagelry team ended up the Open Division and overall winner.

5. Locker's season over

University of Washington football fans around Whatcom County and around the state let out a collective groan when former Ferndale standout Jake Locker's season ended with a broken right thumb.

The injury occurred on September 27 in a game against Stanford while Locker, a quarterback, was attempting to block for a teammate on a running play.

The injury was a disappointing end to Locker's sophomore season and doomed the Huskies to a 0-12 season. It also freed up a few hours on Saturday's for Whatcom County football fans to do other things.

6. WWU becomes a powerhouse

By now most of Whatcom County is familiar with the success of the Western Washington women's rowing program, but in 2008 many of the Vikings' other sports programs also shined.

The crowning moment for Western's success came on June 1 when the women's rowing program won its fourth straight NCAA Division II National title. But the women's soccer team and men's and women's cross country teams also reached their respective national tournaments.

The football program also won the Dixie Rotary Bowl to finish with a winning record for the first time since 2004, and the volleyball team was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation at one point this season.

7. Wrestling

In the second year of state-sanctioned high school girls' wrestling, Mount Baker won the Class 2A girls' state title at Mat Classic XX, on Saturday, Feb. 16.

Senior Ashley Phy's first-round pin of Skyline's Alexis Wilcher at 145-pounds, lifted the Mountaineers to the title. It was the second state championship for the Mount Baker wrestling program in eight years.

The Blaine boys' wrestling team took second at the Class 2A standings of Mat Classic, as they had 12 participants, nine of which were underclassmen. The Borderites had seven placers, led by Shane Hicks' 285-pound championship. Jacob Humphrey earned his third state medal after he placed second at 119.

Blaine's impressive season began with just two returning state qualifiers.

8. Division I signings

Quite a few Whatcom County athletes will continue their careers at Division I schools. Among the list was Meridian's Andrei Lintz, who signed his letter of intent on February 6 to play football for Washington State University. Lynden's Will Holdridge signed with New Mexico State to play golf and Matt Rawitzer from Squalicum signed with the University of Idaho.

Sehome's Mason McHenry signed with Arizona State University for track and cross country and Lynden Christian's Kenzie De Boer is headed to the University of Montana for basketball. Also playing basketball, Courtney VanBrocklin from Mount Baker went to Boise State University and Brianne Ryan is playing for Eastern Washington University.

Ferndale's Casey Locker committed to Washington State University for football while Lynden's Mackie Watt also committed to the University of Idaho for golf. Also, Lynden's Jessi Roberts signed with Oregon State University for volleyball.

9. Minor league sports

The Bellingham Slam had a highlight season. Tyler Amaya had 20 points, six assists and 13 rebounds to lead the Slam to a 118-111 win over the Elkhart Express for the International Basketball League championship on Friday, July 18.

Elkhart was the two-time defending IBL champions.

Lynden Christian product Paul Hafford scored 30 points for the Slam.

On Saturday, Aug. 2, the Whatcom Raiders won their second consecutive Cascade Football Championship with a 22-12 win over the Tacoma Invaders. The Raiders finished 10-0.

On the baseball field, Ferndale star and University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, played in 10 games for the Bellingham Bells.

Locker's time on the field was noticed as he was selected a top prospect for the West Coast Collegiate Baseball League in September.

The Bells also hired a new vice president/general manager and part-owner in Derrel Ebert on Thursday, Sept. 11.

10. Lynden girls' tennis

The Lynden girls' tennis team had the program's best finish in school history in 2007 when they tied for the Class 2A state title. But this year the Lions claimed the title all their own, as they won again for the second straight year.

Brandi Benner and Jill Toronchuk won the doubles title and finished with a 21-0 record, while Erica Bosman took second at singles for the Lions.