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SEATTLE — Lauren VerMulm has made quite a comeback.

A year ago, the Mount Vernon High School graduate had both arms put in casts after being in an automobile accident. The injuries forced her to miss the 2007 track and field season at Seattle Pacific University where she was an All-American javelin thrower.

VerMulm spent about six months with her arms immobilized. Then it was time to rehab.

The hard work paid dividends.

VerMulm returned to All-American status in 2008, finishing third in the javelin at the NCAA Division II championships with a mark of 150 feet, 4 inches. She was also an all-Great Northwest Athletic Conference thrower, finishing fourth in the conference, and was an academic all-conference pick.

In 2006, the year before the accident, VerMulm finished fifth at the NCAA championships with a mark of 153-2. She was all-conference, academic all-conference and team’s most valuable player.

In 2005, she was an All-American, placing fourth at nationals with a throw of 144-0. She also received all-conference accolades.

At the 2005 USA Championships, VerMulm placed ninth in the junior javelin competition with a throw of 143-6. Her career best mark was also thrown that year, a mark of 154-3.

The accident occurred in January of 2007, not far from the Seattle Pacific campus, where VerMulm is working on a nursing degree.

Having been granted a redshirt year, VerMulm will return next season.

A strong ending for Arendse

Utah Valley State sophomore Kevin Arendse concluded his 2008 baseball season with an exclamation point.

The Burlington-Edison graduate crushed a pair of home runs in the Wolverines’ second to last game of the season at Hawaii.

Arendse became the first Wolverine in nearly a year to hit a pair of home runs in a game.

Arendse’s home runs, both solo shots, were his third and fourth on the year. They left Les Murakami Stadium in straight-away center field.

For the season, the right-handed Arendse boasted a .281 average in 153 plate appearances. He had 43 hits, 12 of which were doubles, and amassed 29 RBI. His slugging percentage was .438, and while playing catcher and center field had a fielding percentage of .970.

Fellow Tiger alum Dick Bargewell also suited up for the Wolverines. The infielder saw action in about half of Utah Valley State’s games, finishing with a batting average of .180.
Utah Valley State finished the year 17-35-1.

Hawks and Dragons, oh my

Anacortes graduate Rick Guttormson earned the win as his Softbank Hawks defeated the Chunichi Dragons 5-2 in a Japanese League baseball game.

Guttormson’s record improved to 3-2 after he worked 5 1/3 innings. He allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts, three walks and a pair of earned runs.

For the season, Guttormson has an ERA of 3.77.

Vince Richardson can be reached at 360-416-2181 or by e-mail at