Nominees listed alphabetically. Previous winners ineligible for consideration.
MALE ATHLETE
• Jack Adams III, Hoquiam. As a Hoquiam High School senior, established single-season and career scoring records in basketball. Currently a member of the Pacific Lutheran University basketball team.
• Austin Cain, Montesano. Won second consecutive state Class 1A wrestling championship by winning the 152-pound title.
• Zach Cain, Taholah. As a junior, made Class 1B all-state team in leading Taholah to district championship and state appearance. As a senior, one of the state’s leading scorers as the 2017 portion of the 2017-18 season ends.
• Carson Klinger, Montesano. Standout running back for Montesano’s unbeaten Evergreen 1A League championship football team. Received league’s Most Valuable Player award.
• John Sand, Hoquiam. As an HHS senior, captured District IV 1A boys golf championship and finished runner-up at state. Finished Hoquiam career with four district and one state title. Currently playing at Denver University.
• Kylan Touch, Aberdeen. As a senior running back for Aberdeen’s football team, matched or broke 10 school records. He established AHS single-game, season and career rushing records.
FEMALE ATHLETE
• Kaylee Barnum, Ocosta. As a sophomore last spring, batted well over .600 in helping Wildcats earn first-ever state softball berth. Also a standout in volleyball and basketball.
• Tawni Blankenship, North Beach. As a junior last spring, captured the state 1B girls pole vault championship. Also set meet records in the District IV and Grays Harbor All-County championships.
• Samantha Stanfield, Montesano. As a junior last spring, pitched the Bulldogs to the state 1A softball championship. Also excelled on Monte’s league championship soccer team last fall.
• Kenna Stoney, Elma. Setter and top all-around performer on Elma volleyball team that captured the school’s first league championship in more than 30 years. Earned second-team all-state recognition.
• Alexia Thrower, Grays Harbor College. As a freshman last winter, led the Choker women’s basketball team to an NWAC Tournament appearance. As a sophomore, she was the leading scorer in the conference as the Chokers closed out the 2017 portion of their schedule with a 12-1 record.
• Anna Weber, Aberdeen. The Aberdeen High School freshman established several school records in swimming en route to winning the state 2A 100-yard breaststroke title.
TEAM
• Aberdeen girls swimming. Won their fifth consecutive district 2A title and the all-classification Southwest Washington Championship team crown. Placed sixth at state.
• Grays Harbor College men’s wrestling. Repeated as NCWA team champions and wound up 10th at nationals.
• Hoquiam girls softball. Overcame slow start to the season by placing third at the state 1A tournament.
• Hoquiam boys basketball. Captured district 1A championship and participated in state tournament for second consecutive season.
• Montesano girls basketball. Extended league record to 48-0 over the past four seasons and made state appearance.
• Montesano football. Completed second consecutive unbeaten regular season and advanced to state 1A quarterfinals.
• Montesano wrestling. Finished fifth at state in 1A classification, the second consecutive year the Bulldogs have placed in the top five.
COACH
• Jason Koski, Raymond girls basketball. Guided Gulls to state appearance for the first time in 12 years, although standout Karlee Freeman missed the entire season due to a knee injury.
• Ken Olson, Pe Ell-Willapa Valley softball. Coached Titans to state 2B championship.
• Phil Pine, Grays Harbor College wrestling. Directed Chokers to second straight NCWA title.
• Keith Reynvaan, Hoquiam softball. Coached Grizzlies to seventh state apperance in last eight years and third-place state trophy.
• Mike Rose, Taholah boys basketball. Guided Chitwhins to third consecutive district 1B championship and state appearance.
• Fidel Sanchez. Coached both Hoquiam’s boys and Montesano’s girls to state soccer appearances.
