JANUARY
Eagles grapplers cruise to win on senior night
Senior night went according to plan for the Issaquah Eagles wrestling team against the Eastlake Wolves. The Eagles kept their undefeated streak intact courtesy of a 63-15 victory against the Wolves on Jan. 19. The Eagles improved their KingCo record to 5-0 while Eastlake dropped to 1-4. Issaquah grapplers capturing victories via pins were Cal Saper (145), Kaleb Solusod (160), Tobin Lewis (195) and Terry Zaragoza (220).
FEBRUARY
Eastlake girls basketball team defeats rival Skyline
Eastlake Wolves freshman Keeli Burton dominated the action in the paint against the Skyline Spartans girls basketball team in the regular season finale. Burton, who finished with a team-high 20 points, led the Wolves to a convincing 64-50 win against the Spartans on Feb. 3 in Sammamish. Eastlake clinched the No. 3 seed to the Class 4A KingCo playoffs with the victory.
Skyline boys swim squad earns second place at Class 4A state meet
“Record-setting” and “landmark” were two descriptions Skyline coach Susan Simpkins used when describing her boys swim and dive team’s showing at the Class 4A state championship finals. Her Spartans certainly did their part to deliver a special finish. Skyline placed second overall at the state meet on Feb. 18 at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way. The second-place showing was a program best for the Spartans.
“We have never, ever, ever been on the podium before, so getting second is absolutely a big deal,” Simpkins said.
Marxen named MVP of KingCo 4A division
Eastlake Wolves point guard Gina Marxen was named the KingCo 4A girls basketball co-MVP for her performance during the 2016-17 season. Marxen and Bothell senior Taya Corosdale were named all-KingCo co-MVPs after a meeting with KingCo 4A coaches took place on Feb. 13.
MARCH
Eastside Catholic softball team scores 24 runs against Ingraham
The Eastside Catholic Crusaders put together an impressive 24-9 win against Ingraham on March 17. Eastside Catholic improved their overall record to 2-1.
Eagles, Spartans battle to stalemate on the soccer pitch
A showdown between two evenly matched rival high school soccer squads ended in a stalemate.
The Skyline Spartans and Issaquah Eagles battled to a 0-0 draw despite 80 minutes of regulation and two five-minute overtime sessions in front of a sizable crowd on March 24 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah. Through five games Skyline possessed an overall record of 2-1-2 while Issaquah had a record of 1-2-2.
APRIL
Eastlake registers comeback win against Spartans
Things looked bleak for the Eastlake Wolves baseball team after six innings of play against the Skyline Spartans.Skyline, who won the Class 4A state title in May 2016, had a solid 4-2 lead going into the final inning of play. The Spartans lead was short-lived. Eastlake scored three runs in the top of the seventh, en route to a comeback 5-4 win against Skyline on April 13 at Skyline High School in Sammamish. The Wolves improved to 7-5 with the win while the Spartans dropped to 7-3 overall.
Skyline conquers Issaquah in rivalry showdown on the pitch
The Skyline Spartans earned a 2-0 win against the Issaquah Eagles on April 18 in a battle between rival schools. Skyline improved its overall record to 7-3-2 with the win. Issaquah dropped to 5-4-3 overall.
MAY
Eastlake defeats Mount Si in overtime thriller in playoff contest
Not even 90 minutes of soccer could determine a winner in a KingCo 4A loser-out playoff game between the Eastlake Wolves and Mount Si Wildcats boys soccer teams.The two rival squads were tied at 1-1 after 80 minutes of play and two five-minute overtime sessions. The outcome of this playoff tilt came down to an overtime shootout. Eastlake outscored Mount Si 4-3 in the shootout, earning a 2-1 win in a loser-out contest on May 6 at Eastlake High School in Sammamish. Eastlake forward Blake Miller connected on the fourth and final goal of the shootout to lift his team to a victory. Miller’s shot was perfectly placed in the upper left corner of the net just out of the reach of Mount Si goalie Griffin Popp.
Schlepp sets school record in the 1600-meter run
Skyline Spartans junior Geneva Schlepp, right, experienced tears of joy after capturing first place in the girls 1600-meter run at the KingCo 4A meet on May 10, clocking a time of 4:56.07. Schlepp broke the Skyline school record which was set by Alexis Daugherty’s time of 5:00.75 in 2014.
Crusaders girls lacrosse squad wins state championship
For the second year in a row, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders girls lacrosse team hoisted the state championship trophy.
The Eastside Catholic Crusaders, who were ranked No. 3 in the state prior to the title game, registered a 16-11 victory against the previously No. 1-ranked Bainbridge Island Spartans in the Washington girls lacrosse state championship game on May 19 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila. The Crusaders, who led the Spartans 9-7 at halftime, outscored Bainbridge 7-4 in the second half to seal their second consecutive state title.
Crusaders boys lacrosse team wins title
The Eastside Catholic Crusaders boys lacrosse team was simply not going to be denied in the Washington High School Boys Lacrosse private school championship game against their fiercest rival. The Crusaders put together one of their most impressive performances of the season when it counted the most, cruising to a convincing 18-2 victory against the O’Dea Fighting Irish on May 27 at the Starfire Athletic Complex in Tukwila. It was the first time the Eastside Catholic boys lacrosse program had won a state title in school history.
Skyline wins 4A state lacrosse championship
Pure joy was evident along the sideline of the Skyline Spartans boys lacrosse team as the final seconds trickled off the clock against the rival Eastlake Wolves. Spartans registered a 9-7 victory against the Wolves in the Washington High School boys lacrosse 4A state championship game on May 27 in Tukwila. Skyline senior Conner Hoke, who scored two goals against the Wolves in the second quarter, believed attaining a state crown was the result of hard work and dedication.
“It has been a long four years. We’ve made it to the [semifinals] and lost a couple of heartbreakers in the playoffs so it’s good to finally get through that. We’re state champs baby,” Hoke said with a smile. “It was a team effort. We just stuck it out and we knew we were the better team in the end.”
JUNE
Beck lands coaching position at Eastside Catholic
Eastside Catholic High School announced the hiring of new Crusaders girls soccer head coach Shelley Beck on June 12. Eastside Catholic Athletic Director Jeremy Thielbahr was thrilled Beck would be leading the Crusaders girls soccer team.
“We are very excited to have Shelley Beck join us at Eastside Catholic. She brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience to our EC family, along with a core commitment to the values we want to instill in our student athletes,” Thielbahr said in a press release.
JULY
Sammamish 12U baseball team wins championship
The Sammamish Little League 12U Majors team captured the District 9 tournament championship at the 2017 Majors All-Star tournament on July 11. The 12U team roster consists of Vik Mandadi, Karson Rud, Joaquin Valdez, Colby Simpson, Austin Moore, Braden DePaola, Quinn Ebeling, Luke Reinkensmeyer, Daniel Wagner, Atlas Owen, Luke Simpson and Mike Roni. The head coach of the team is Dave Moore. The assistant coaches are Terry Simpson and Joe Roni.
15U baseball team wins district title
The Lakeside Recovery 15U baseball team captured first place at the American Legion District tournament courtesy of a 12-4 victory against Sedro Woolley in the championship game on July 16 at Sedro Woolley High School. The team roster consists of Tyler Reese, Nick Radabaugh, David Chapman, Cameron Kaku, Nate Lawrence, Brady Liddle, Jack Githens, Jack Rodgers, Ty Buckner, Derek Gellos, Cole Larson, Joseph Warner, Brendan Chan, Nolan Rouse, Cory Kawaguchi, Colton Willbrandt, Ryan Baker and Nathan Kaku. The head coach of the team is Frank Lawhead.
Issaquah baseball squad wins state crown
The Issaquah Little League 10U All-Star baseball team reached the absolute pinnacle on the diamond this summer. Issaquah cruised to a 11-4 victory against Mill Creek in the 10U Little League state championship game on July 18 at Failor Field in Aberdeen. The championship roster consisted of Jack Babuin, Ryan Boehm, Hudson Carvalho, Luke Farmer, Will Hawk, Ashton Higgins, Dylan Leaird, Tommy Rosario, Jacob Swanson, Cody Thumlert, Mason Uchimura, Max Vermuelen, Ernie Whelan. The assistant coaches were Dave Boehm and Mike Farmer.
AUGUST
Wile leads Wolves girls soccer team through off-season workouts
Eastlake Wolves senior girls soccer player Sam Wile is the kind of athlete who exudes positivity at all times. Wile helped lead the Wolves off-season workouts over the summer. The team typically worked out together on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout July.
“It has been so fun. We have just been getting closer and closer as a team. We hang out after practices and car pool together. I love my team and I’m just really excited for the year,” she said.
SEPTEMBER
Eastside Catholic prevails in triple overtime in season opener on gridiron
The outcome of a matchup between the Eastside Catholic Crusaders and Gonzaga Prep Bullpups powerhouse football programs came down to one final play in triple overtime.Gonzaga Prep quarterback Connor Halonen scored on a three-yard touchdown run, cutting Eastside Catholic’s lead to 41-40. Gonzaga Prep head coach David McKenna opted to go for the win courtesy of a two-point conversion attempt, bypassing an extra point that would have forced a fourth overtime session if it split the uprights. On the play that would decide the outcome of the game, Halonen pitched the ball to Gonzaga senior Devin Culp on an option play. Culp was tackled at the two-yard line by Eastside Catholic defensive backs Ayden Hector and Malik Putney, preserving a 41-40 victory for the Crusaders in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Sept. 2.
Van Halm puts together a game for the ages
The Issaquah Eagles girls soccer team defeated the Woodinville Falcons 8-1 on Sept. 7 at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah. Eagles’ senior forward Mariah Van Halm scored a game-high four goals in the win. Van Halm credited her teammates for her epic performance.
“The whole team was just hyping me up. We had some great runs. It just happened tonight that I happened to be the open player but it really comes from everyone else just working,” Van Halm said.
Schlepp breaks 5K school record
Skyline Spartans Cross Country runner Geneva Schlepp broke the Skyline High School 5K school record at the Nike Twilight Invitational Golf Course in Marysville on Sept. 30. Schlepp, who is a senior, clocked a time of 18:03.9 on the course.
OCTOBER
Braman collects 200th career victory at Skyline
Skyline Spartans girls soccer head coach Don Braman attained a coveted milestone on the soccer field courtesy of his team’s 3-0 victory against the Newport Knights on Oct. 5 in Sammamish. The triumph was Braman’s 200th career win as head coach of the Spartans girls soccer program.
Eastside Catholic football win earns Metro title
When it was all over the Eastside Catholic Crusaders football team hoisted the Class 3A Metro League championship trophy for an unforgettable celebration. Eastside Catholic clinched the Metro League title courtesy of a 49-6 victory against the Roosevelt Roughriders on Oct. 20 at Memorial Stadium in Seattle. Eastside Catholic completed the 2017 regular season with a perfect record of 8-0.
NOVEMBER
Spartans girls soccer team defeats rival in KingCo title game
Pure euphoria and joy was evident along the visitors side of the field following the final whistle of the KingCo 4A championship game between the Issaquah Eagles and Skyline Spartans girls soccer programs. Skyline captured their fifth consecutive victory in the KingCo 4A title game, courtesy of a 1-0 win against Issaquah on Nov. 2 at Gary Moore Field in Issaquah.
Eagles girls soccer squad wins Class 4A state championship
In the immediate seconds following the final whistle signaling the end of the Class 4A state soccer championship game, Issaquah head coach Tom Bunnell was mobbed by his assistant coaches in a moment of jubilation. Issaquah registered a 2-1 victory against the Central Valley Bears, clinching the state title on Nov. 18 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup. Bunnell, who announced in late October that this season would be his final one as the Eagles’ head coach, went out a champion in his last game leading the soccer program.
DECEMBER
Eastlake girls basketball team starts season off strong
The Eastlake Wolves girls basketball team is clicking on all cylinders in early season action.
The Wolves, who advanced to the Class 4A state basketball tournament last season, improved their overall record to 5-0 courtesy of a convincing 70-52 victory against the Newport Knights on Dec. 8 in Factoria. Newport dropped to 2-1 overall with the loss. Newport cut Eastlake’s lead to 32-26 on a Jahdai Alcombrack basket early in the third quarter but couldn’t cut the deficit any closer for the remainder of the game. Eastlake outscored Newport 30-17 in the third quarter to put the game away. Wolves’ sophomore Keeli Burton, who scored a team-high 16 points, said her squad got better as the game progressed. The Wolves led the Knights 30-21 at halftime before completely dominating the third quarter.
“Our whole team’s energy was just crazy. As the game went on we built on that,” Burton said.
Shaun Scott, staff photo The Skyline Spartans boys lacrosse team celebrated with the championship trophy after defeating the Eastlake Wolves 9-7 in the Washington High School boys lacrosse 4A state championship game on May 27 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.
