All-Whatcom County Boys’ Athletes of the Year finalists as chosen by the Sports staff at The Bellingham Herald:

ANDREI LINTZ School: Meridian Year: Senior What he did: Named to the Class 1A all-state teams in both football (at defensive end and punter) and basketball this year … The Trojans’ football team finished 11-1 and advanced to the state quarterfinals … Meridian’s basketball team finished 16-7 overall, 10-3 in Northwest Conference play and advanced to the 1A district tournament … Lintz averaged 16.1 points and 5.7 rebounds … Helped lead the Trojans to the 2006 state championship in football; Meridian finished 14-0 for its third state title in nine years … Won the 1A state shot put championship and finished eighth in the 200-meter dash … Has signed to play football at Washington State University in the fall, but his first season for the Cougars will be delayed due to torn ligaments in his left ankle. Coach’s quote: “Anyone who has watched him compete in other sports knows the kind of athleticism he possesses. What everyone doesn’t necessarily see is the effort he puts forth in everything he does. Any time you find a kid with that kind of desire and work ethic — no matter how talented he or she is —they’ll find success in whatever he or she chooses. Andrei certainly has found it at Meridian.” — Meridian track coach Patrick Ames

BRADY BOMBER School: Lynden Year: Senior What he did: Led the Lions’ football team to a 10-3 record and a spot in the Class 2A state semifinals, where the defending champions fell to Prosser … Had 47 receptions for 551 yards and nine touchdowns, and was named all-state as a defensive back … A four-year starter and three-time all-conference selection and captain for the Lynden basketball team … Averaged 15.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 2.4 steals as the Lions finished 19-8 and took fourth in the state, a year after winning the state championship … Will play basketball at Saint Martin’s University next season .. Participated in sprints, relays and jumps for the Lynden track team … Helped set school records in the 4x100 and 4x400 relays … At the state meet, the Lions took sixth in the 4x100 relay (43.97) and second in the 4x400 relay (3:26.31). Coach’s quote: “He’s a coach on the floor. He’s a guy who can carry out a game plan. Brady’s been an exceptional role model for kids in our community, I really mean that. He never got a technical foul, he plays with a good attitude, he’s a good teammate, his sportsmanship is outstanding and off-court he lives a disciplined life.” — Lynden basketball coach Brian Roper

MASON MCHENRY School: Sehome Year: Senior What he did: Won the Class 2A state championship in the 800- meter run and set a meet record with a winning time of 1:52.53 … Finished second in the 1,600 this year behind teammate Colin Flynn … Holds the 2A state meet record with the winning mark of 4:15.70 in 2007 … Led the Sehome boys to their second straight state championship … Finished seventh at the state cross country meet in 2007; the Mariners finished second behind Burlington-Edison … Will run at Arizona State University next year ... Was named The Bellingham Herald’s All-Whatcom County Runner of the Year in cross country and track and field. Coach’s quote: “Mason is the most gifted athlete I have ever worked with. In his two seasons of track, he has established himself as not only one of the greatest middle distance runners in the state of Washington but one of the top in the country. His accomplishments and talents on the track, along with his positive attitude and fun-loving personality, will leave an incredible legacy.” — Sehome track coach Jen Leita

COLIN FLYNN School: Sehome Year: Senior What he did: The Bellingham Herald’s All-Whatcom County Boys’ Swimmer of the Year for the third straight year … Has been one of Whatcom County’s top swimmers for his entire prep career … Finished fourth at the Class 3A/2A state swimming meet in the 50 freestyle (21.9) and sixth in the 100 freestyle (48.14) as a senior … Holds the second-fastest time in Sehome history in the 50 and third best in the 100 … As a junior at the state meet, tied for third in the 50 and took fifth in the 100 … Took first place in the 1,600-meter run and third in the 800 at the Class 2A state track meet, helping the Mariners win their second consecutive state championship … Helped the Sehome cross country team to NWC and Northwest District titles and a second-place finish at state. Coach’s quote: “Colin Flynn has an uncanny ability to relax, stay focused, and run his own races. He has a great blend of speed, endurance and patience, along with a strong racing instinct that make him a very tough competitor. ” — Sehome track coach Jen Leita

NICK STACKHOUSE School: Squalicum Year: Senior What he did: Led the Storm to a 25-2 record and third place at the Class 3A state tournament … Averaged 17.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists as Squalicum’s only senior starter … Named to the all-state tournament first team, scoring 20 points against West Seattle, 23 against West Valley (Yakima) and 16 against eventual champion Rainier Beach … The Bellingham Herald’s All-Whatcom County Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year … Competed in jumps, relays and hurdles for the Squalicum track and field team … Finished seventh in the 300-meter hurdles (39.97) at the Class 3A state meet … Will play basketball at Pacific Lutheran University next year. Coach’s quote: “To captain such a young team to a 25-2 record is a noteworthy accomplishment. Nick showed his competitive greatness by playing his best games in the postseason. He has a big upside as a basketball player and as a human being; I’m excited to see what the future will bring for him.” — Squalicum basketball coach Dave Dickson