Baseball
Coach: Pat Swapp, second year, 25-19 AHS, 155-74 career.

2008 record: 8-5 NWC, 8-12 overall

Individual honors: Kyle Macy, Casey Lloyd, All-NWC first team; Marcus Abbott, Wyatt Hendricks, All-NWC second team.

Comments on 2008 season: “We came into the year with one player who had ever played varsity baseball and a lot of question marks, and we were very, very competitive. Toward the end of the season we were 8-3 and playing Burlington with a shot at the number two seed into districts. We lost that game in extra innings, and then fell into a tailspin that we couldn’t quite get out of.

“Of our five league losses, three were by one run, and another was a game we led in the seventh inning. We played a lot of big, competitive ballgames and were very close to having a great, great season.

“What’s exciting is that next year there aren’t very many question marks. There will be no limit to how good we can be and, with a balance of seniors, juniors, and sophomores, it should be that way for at least the next three years. The next few seasons will be very exciting.” Coach Pat Swapp.

Graduating seniors: Kyle Macy, Kyle Dixon, Ian Mackay, Kenny Birkeland.

Returning letter winners: Marcus Abbott, Wyatt Hendricks, Casey Lloyd, John Walker, Landon Macy, Braiden Darling, Hayden Knight, Mark Medalia, Garrett Wilbur, Cody Addison, Gabe Aguilar.

Promising new-comers: Jackson Kirkpatrick.

Competition: “Ferndale will be loaded. Burlington brings back two very, very good high school players. The league, though, should be pretty balanced. I don’t see a real dominant team, other than Ferndale, or dominant pitcher out there. And Sehome, after back-to-back state championships, should be back with the rest of us, finally.” Coach Pat Swapp.

Outlook for 2009: “We can win the league next year, and really, I think we can win it the next three years. We need a lot of guys to become pitchers and if that falls into place, there is no limit to what we can do. It should be really fun for the next few seasons. We have kids that are talented, motivated, and fun to be around. It doesn’t get any better than that.” Coach Pat Swapp

Comment: Anacortes was on the verge of a startling good season under the leadership of senior Kyle Macy when the baseball fates decreed otherwise. After playing a tough nonconference schedule, the young Seahawks battled Sehome and Burlington, the class of 2A schools in the conference, to a virtual standstill before succumbing to them. If coach Pat Swapp can identify and nurture the arms, Anacortes will again return to the top of the NWC standings in 2009.


Boys Golf

Coach: Dick Freier, second year.

2008 record: Sixth, NWC; sixth, District 1.

Individual honors: Jordan Freeman, All-NWC second team; state tournament qualifier.

Comments on 2008 season: “The seniors meant a lot to our program, with many lettering as freshmen and moving from the bottom of the league to the top half.

“Jordan Freeman and Alex Lytton were four-year letter winners; Cy Fenton and Eric Bowen earned three and Ryan Johnson had four valuable years in the program, winning a letter this year.” Coach Freier.

Graduating seniors: Freeman, Lytton, Fenton, Bowen, Johnson.

Returning letter winners: Jim Casey, Paul Sauer, Mackenzie Larkin, Alec Mavar.

Competition: “Lynden, Burlington and Sehome all placed high at the state tournament and will return strong teams.” Coach Freier.

Outlook for 2009: “The NWC will again be strong next year, with many programs returning their top players. We will have some returners with varsity experience, but the seniors will be greatly missed.” Coach Freier.

Comment: The Seahawks will return a number of players who got experience on the varsity level this season, but they must improve vastly to keep pace with the likes of Lynden’s Will Holdridge, who placed second at state. Burlington, Sehome and Lynden will return enough talented golfers to make a team title unlikely, but an upper half finish is possible for the Seahawks.


Boys Soccer

Coach: Jim Schemmer, second year, 23-14.

2008 record: Seventh NWC, 6-7 NWC, 11-10 overall; first state appearance in 22 years.

Team honors: State tournament, fourth in district playoffs.

Individual honors: Otto Sortun, All-NWC first team; Alexander Thomson, Austin Forsman, Graham Thompson, Jon Sherman, Matt Cole, Tanner Gallo, Torrey Merritt, All-NWC honorable mention.

Comment on 2008 season: “This team battled through injuries throughout the year and worked hard enough to earn a state playoff berth. Our postseason showed the true character and potential of these kids. I am very proud of their accomplishments.” Coach Schemmer.

Graduating seniors: Otto Sortun, Alexander Thomson, Austin Forsman, Graham Thompson, Tanner Gallo, Scott Olausen, Spencer Andrich.

Returning letter winners: Anders Rodin, Jon Sherman, Matt Cole, Alex Rendon, Emerson Sortun, Ryan Heiss, Casey Hsu, Torrey Merritt, Kevin Birch, Matt Holt, Brandon Bessler, Turner Carr, Nicolas Miles, Scott Ericsson-Everton, Aaron Waham, Mike Olsen, Shane Phipps.

Promising newcomers: Scott Calvert, Gunnar Gilman, Nick Atkinson, Nikolaus Massey, Jason Hogge, Sean O’Neil.

Competition: “Mount Vernon, Bellingham, Sehome and Ferndale have great programs and will be tough again next year.” Coach Schemmer

Outlook for 2009: “The team matured this year. Getting to the state tournament whets the appetite for the younger players. Our off-season will focus on developing into a state championship contender next year.” Coach Schemmer.

Comment: Coach Schemmer has brought the soccer squad from the depths of the NWC standings into the state playoffs in two seasons, a monumental feat. The loss of team leader Otto Sortun to graduation will be difficult to overcome, but Schemmer has an abundance of young talent remaining and he’s demonstrated the ability to judge soccer skills and instill soccer smarts into a previously downtrodden program.

League rival Sehome claimed their first state soccer championship in 2008 and Bellingham always fields good teams, but, if they continue their dizzying ascent on the pitch, the Seahawks may well contend for the state 2A championship.


Fastpitch

Coach: Tom Swapp, 29 years, 418 wins-276 losses; assisted by Brian Tiland, 18 years, Bud Rock, 8 years, and Melinda Moore, 2 years.

2008 record: 10-3 NWC, 16-10 overall.

Team honors: Fourth in NWC; second among 2A NWC schools; second in district; state tournament participant.

Individual honors: Sara Brennan, Jackie Saunders, All-NWC first team; Madison Bundy, Kayla Rieger, All-NWC second team; Rachel Nelson, Maria Roney, Megan Dunton, Tata Bellusci, Hannah Brennan, All-NWC honorable mention.

Graduating senior: Lauren Ward.

Returning letter winners: Entire starting lineup (see nine names above), Lauren Richards, Lauren Ward, Katie McCarn.

Competition: ”Look first and longest at the Skagit County schools. Burlington returns eight starters and the league’s toughest pitcher to the team that was NWC champion and the state runner-up. Sedro-Woolley and Mount Vernon return their key players. The four Skagit schools finished 1, 2, 3, 4 in conference and likely will again next season.” Coach Swapp.

Outlook for 2009: “All nine starters received votes for all-league selection. All nine starters return. The Seahawks were the youngest and most exciting team in the conference in 2008. We played eye-to-eye with the state’s best in league, district and state. There is no limit to the possibilities for 2009.” Coach Tom Swapp.

Outlook: By the end of the NWC schedule, Anacortes had become the most resilient and tenacious team in the conference despite their tender years. Their run to the state tournament was a surprise to some, but not to coach Swapp.

He recognized the skills and character in his five freshman phenoms. The skills will be more finely honed through extensive play with elite teams as the girls embark on the 2009 season. Look for the Seahawks to finish atop the NWC, perhaps in a dead heat with the Lady Tigers of Burlington-Edison.


Girls Golf

Coach: Scott Dickison, first year.

2008 record: Fourth in NWC, fourth in District 1, seventh in state 2A tournament.

Team honors: Fourth in NWC, fourth in District 1, seventh in state 2A tournament.

Individual honors: Crystal McDaniels, All-NWC first team, 16th in state 2A tournament; Asuka Nagata, 27th in state tournament.

Comments on 2008 season: “This past season our team posted the best scores in school history. They were a talented group of girls that will be missed next season.” Coach Dickison.

Graduating seniors: Crystal McDaniels, Kandace Londo, Sara Borneman, Claire Borneman, Asuka Nagata.

Returning letter winners: Bre Hendricks.

Promising newcomers: Kasandra Londo.

Competition: “The NWC is the best in the state. Every team next year will be competition for our young team.” Coach Dickison.

Outlook for 2009: “Next year’s team will be made up of girls with limited varsity experience. The plus side is that the girls showed tremendous improvement as freshman and all of them have a great work ethic. Bre Hendricks will have a good shot to make it to the state tournament as a junior.” Coach Dickison.

Comment: Losing Crystal McDaniels, probably the best girl golfer to play at AHS, will hurt the team immeasurably. Unless the foreign exchange program delivers two or three Asuka Nagatas to the team, the Seahawk squad will have difficulty competing against state 2A champion Sehome and runner-up Bellingham in 2009.


Girls Tennis

Coach: Jeff Thomas, first year as girls tennis coach.

2008 record: 3-13 overall

Individual honors: Leslie Baca, All-NWC first team; Sarah Koss, All-NWC second team; Connie Grimnes, Monica Archer, All-NWC honorable mention.

Comments on 2008 season: “The girls faced many challenges this season, but always reacted with a positive attitude. They improved immensely throughout the season and we’re looking forward to next year.” Coach Thomas

Graduating seniors: Leslie Baca, Emily Lycette, Hannah Stephens, Erica Levine, Andrea Pitz, Casey Anderson, Ahra Jo.

Returning letter winners: Connie Grimnes, Monica Archer, Amy Cole, Kasha Krawczyk, Madison Campbell, Danielle Ferguson, Briana Hobbs.

Promising newcomers: J.V. members

Competition: “The Whatcom county teams are very strong and I’m sure will be tough again next year.” Coach Thomas

Outlook for 2009: “We have a good core of returning players which will be supplemented nicely by those that played J.V. this year. Both the J.V. members and the varsity group showed a lot of improvement in their play over the 2008 season and I’m sure that they will continue this trend next year. It’s a great group of girls and we’re hoping to be more competitive as a team in the 2009 season.” Coach Thomas

Comment: The NWC again dominated girls 2A tennis in the state, placing both singles finalists and both doubles finalists. South Whidbey junior Newman won singles and the Lynden tandem of Benner and Toronchuk took the doubles championship. The landscape in 2009 doesn’t figure to change appreciably as the Whatcom county teams, South Whidbey and Lakewood will be tough. Anacortes will be hard-pressed to finish in the upper half of the NWC dual meet standings and send representatives to state.


Track

Coaches: Case deVries, fourth year: Glenn Strachan, sixth year.

2008 girls team record: 3-7, 10th in NWC, 18th at state 2A meet.

Team awards: MVP: Kaila Hammond; Rookie of the year: Beate Eriksen; Coaches’ award: Maren Hanson, Ariel Madden; Ironman: Jorgina Moore; Hurdler of the year: Beate Eriksen, Jorgina Moore; Distance runner of the year: Maren Hanson; Sprinter of the year: Ariel madden; Jumper of the year: Ariel Madden; Thrower of the year: Kaila Hammond.

Individual honors: Kaila Hammond, second place in shot put, state 2A meet; third place in discus, state 2A meet; first in NWC discus; second in NWC in shot put; AHS record holder in shot put and discus; Maddy Berentson, third in NWC javelin.

Graduating seniors: Kaila Hammond, Monica Malcolm, Kasie Walters, Beate Eriksen , Eileen Crawford.

Coach’s comments: “Our girls team continues to improve every year. We had a number of strong individuals that went deep into the season. This year in particular we have noticed an improvement with the freshman and sophomore classes, much due to the solid coaching that our middle school coaches are giving them. We hope that in the years to come we can add some depth to all of the events.” Coach deVries

2008 boys team record: 5-5, eighth in NWC, 15th at state 2A meet.

Team awards: MVP:Thomas Kassa; Rookie of the year: PJ Johnson; Coaches’ award: Danny Lindstrom, Spencer Wilhelm; Ironman: James No; Hurdler of the year: Spencer Wilhelm; Distance runner of the year: Danny Lindstrom; Sprinter of the year: Caranza Farrell; Jumper of the year: Thomas Kassa; Thrower of the year: Stephen Hudak.

Individual honors: Danny Lindstrom, second in 3,200 meters in NWC, fourth in 1,600 meters in NWC, fifth in 3,200 meters in state 2A meet; Thomas Kassa, first in triple jump in NWC, first in long jump in NWC, seventh in high jump in NWC, second in long jump in state 2A meet, third in triple jump in state 2A meet, ninth in high jump in state 2A meet; Spencer Wilhelm, 10th in 300 hurdles in state 2A meet; Stephen Hudak, third in javelin in NWC.

Graduating seniors: Danny Lindstrom, Chris Pelletier, Spencer Wilhelm, Thomas Stoneham, Stephen Hudak.

Coach’s comments: “We were a much improved group this year. Our seniors really did a great job leading by example and setting the tone early in the season. We took the most boys to state, seven, since I’ve been here and brought home three medals. With a strong group returning next year and the ability that we’ve witnessed at the middle school, we can only improve upon this year.” Coach deVries

Comment: The enthusiasm brought to the Seahawk track and field program by Case deVries, Glenn Strachan and their assistant coaches has begun to pay dividends in the form of school records and athletes advancing to district and state meets. While pacesetters Lindstrom and Hammond will graduate, the table is being restocked with younger athletes advancing from the ranks of underclassmen and the middle school.

Still, the task before the young Seahawks is to make a dent in the Sehome and Burlington dominance in the sport. Sehome won the boys 2A championship and Burlington the girls title. Both return squads with quality and quantity, but you can look for the ‘Hawks to make a few giant strides in 2009 based on their experience at state and the influx of fast young feet.