🏈 Prep Talk 04/24/26

Future collegiate stars: As the sports reporter, I have the opportunity to see a handful of high school athletes develop into future cornerstone pieces of college programs. When I watched Bellingham's Alden Scott pitch a one-hitter as a junior last season, I knew he was going to be competing at a higher level after he graduates from high school.

Scott proved to be one of the top pitchers and committed to play baseball at his dream school, the University of Washington. Scott's dream to play for the Huskies began in fifth grade when his teacher asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. Nearly a decade later, he has shined as "Superman" for the scrappy Bayhawks program.

He’s not the only local planning to play at the next level. If you have been to a cross country or track meet the last two years, you have most likely seen Anacortes' Dylan Rowell running past his opponents. Rowell is running at Gonzaga next year — but before he graduates, he is aiming for another "triple crown." A triple crown is winning the state title in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter events in track and cross country title.

Do not let Rowell’s smile and humble demeanor deceive you when he is on the track. Rowell and his coach, Brad Templeton, have both said his hard work and determination have set him apart from his competition and will make him a favorite for two more state titles in May.

Burlington-Edison’s Wyatt Brownell is another athlete with a killer mindset and a calm, quiet attitude that has led him to back-to-back golf state titles. As you read this newsletter, Brownell is most likely perfecting his craft at the Skagit Golf & Country Club. Brownell is a member of the Tigers program but is homeschooled — so he spends hours on the driving range and putting green, or playing a quick 18 holes while his peers are taking another exam.

When I first heard of Brownell a couple of years ago, he was the underdog claiming his first title by surprise. He now enters the postseason with a target on his back. He’s ready for the pressure and eager to leave a lasting impression on the golf program before taking a two-year religious mission.

As the regular season comes to an end, there are a few more games to keep your eyes on. Squalicum and Sehome’s soccer teams battle for the league title on April 30, Burlington-Edison travels to Ferndale for a baseball game on May 4 and Lynden Christian and Lynden’s softball teams face off on May 6.

The postseason is going to provide some exhilarating matchups in each sport. Five teams have a legit chance to win the 2A district baseball title. Anacortes and Lynden have been surprisingly near the top of the standings while the previous runner-up Bellingham Bayhawks are near the bottom. Burlington-Edison and Sehome are also dark horses for a title.

Lynden and Sehome's tennis teams battled for potentially the conference title on April 21 and it was the Mariners who stunned the Lions. But fans should keep their eyes on Lynden's Hailey and Avery Brooks looking to repeat as doubles state champions, and Rilanna Newcomb fighting for a singles title.

In track and field, the Bellingham schools have a handful of athletes who can make an impact at the state meet. Squalicum's Ansen Asbjornsen is one of the top sprinters while Sehome's Hayden Niewadomski is one of the top long jumpers in the conference.

In softball, Sedro-Woolley has dominated every team in the conference, including a top 10 2A Lynden squad by mercy rule. The Cubs are led by Cal State Fullerton commit Kasandra Gonzalez, who will be featured in a CDN prep spotlight in May.

Sedro-Woolley softball and Squalicum boys soccer are the two teams most likely to capture a team title this spring. The Storm have scored over four goals per game this season and have the top scorer in Whatcom County, Maddox Strickland.

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