Sehome plays Squalicum baseball

Sehome's Ben Wilson (7) slides into home past Squalicum's Benton Loney (20) in the sixth inning for Sehome's fifth run at Squalicum High School on Monday, April 27, 2009. Sehome won, 7-1.
Whatcom County Championship golf tournament

Ferndale's Mandy Wittmier tees off through the rain on the third hole at Sudden Valley Golf Course during the Whatcom County Championship golf tournament on Monday, March 30, 2009. Wittimier will be leading the Ferndale team this season through tough competition from other Whatcom County schools, including Sehome High School and Bellingham High School.
Meridian High School soccer

Meridian's Anatoli Datskiy (19) heads the ball during the second half of their game against Burlington-Edison at Meridian High School on Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Meridian won, 1-0.
Washington State High School Basketball Championships
This year, I covered several local teams as they tried to pursue the state’s biggest prize in high school basketball. Two teams went all the way: Squalicum boys and Lynden girls. Both state trophies ended up here in Whatcom County. It was amazing to be a part of the journey. Everyone was so kind to me, I’m really thankful I was able to follow these teams.

Members of the Squalicum team douse head coach Dave Dickson with water as he enters the locker room following Squalicum's victory over Burlington-Edison to become the 2A Washington State Boys Basketball Champions at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 14, 2009.

Member of the Squalicum boys team take pictures of head coach Dave Dickson kissing the state championship trophy in their locker room after winning the 2A state championship over Burlington-Edison at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 14, 2009.

Lynden's Hannah Shine (20) tries to gain pull the ball away from Eatonville's Emma Loftis (11) during the first round of the 2A State Basketball Championships at the Yakima SunDome on Wednesday, March 11, 2009. Lynden beat Eatonville, 55-24, and will advance to play Ellensburg on Thursday.

Lynden's Brandi Benner (3) and Ellensburg's Kim Kelly (15) both fall to the court as they chase a loose ball during the second round of the 2A State Basketball Championships at the Yakima SunDome on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Lynden won, 42-32, and will advance to play Spokane West Valley on Friday.

Lynden's Hannah Shine (20) grabs the ball in front of Archbishop Murphy's Sam Pettinger (22) during the 2A Washington State Girls Basketball Championship game at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Lynden won, 48-41, to become the state champions.

The Lynden girls team celebrates after beating Archbishop Murphy, 48-41, to become the 2A Washington State champions at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 14, 2009.

During the 2A Washington State Basketball Championship at the Yakima SunDome on Saturday, March 14, 2009.
2008 Wrestling State championship

Sehome's Thayne Yazzie and Riverside's Jacob Desroches spin upside down on their heads during a 160-pound 2A match during the first day of the 2008 Mat Classic XX wrestling state championship at the Tacoma Dome. Yazzie lost the match.

Mount Baker's Ashlee Phy flexes her arms, celebrating her victory over Skyline's Alexis Willcher for the 145-pound girls championship title as well as a team title for the Mount Baker girls team during the 2008 Mat Classic XX wrestling state championship at the Tacoma Dome. In order for Mount Baker's girls team to win the state title, Phy needed to win by a pin and she did.

Blaine head coach Craig Foster comforts Blaine's Jacob Humphrey after Humphrey lost to Black Hills' Nick Burnham in the 119-pound 2A championship match during the 2008 Mat Classic XX wrestling state championship at the Tacoma Dome. For the second year in a row, Humphrey won second place in his division.
This was my first year covering a wrestling state championship. I am very thankful that I was able to be there. The emotion that the athletes showed on the mats was amazing. I was deeply impressed by all of them and hope to be able to photograph more wrestling events in the future.
Cross Country Athletes of the Year

Sehome's Annie Moore, left, and Clinton Overman have been named the All-County Cross Country athletes of the year for 2008. Under the leadership of Moore and Overman, both the girls and boys teams at Sehome High School won the 2008 cross country 2A state championships. As individuals, Moore finished ninth and Overman finished second.
