Six Students Nominated for Weekly Sports Award

Voting is currently open for the Bellingham area high school athletes of the week for the Nov. 1-7 period. Residents can cast their ballots through midnight Sunday. The winner will be announced in the next poll and in the newspaper next Wednesday. Last week, Nate Bjella from King’s football took the top spot. The senior kicked a last-second field goal on Oct. 30 to beat Granite Falls 24-22. That win secured the Emerald Sound conference title. Bjella received 2,219 votes, which was 50 percent of the 4,438 total votes cast.

Hannah Fritts from Jackson swimming is one of this week’s nominees. The senior won the 200- and 500-yard freestyle races on Nov. 7. She also swam the third leg of the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. Those performances helped the Timberwolves win the district title.

Elijah Graves from Shorewood cross country and Ramon Little from Arlington cross country are also in the running. Graves finished second in the 3A state meet on Nov. 7, helping his team place fourth. He completed the 5,000-meter course in 14 minutes and 55.8 seconds. Little won the 2-mile individual ambulatory race at the same state meet. His time was 12 minutes and 31 seconds.

Three other students are on the ballot. Matt Kowalski from Glacier Peak football caught nine passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns in a 49-6 playoff win over Woodinville on Nov. 6. Alex Maldonado from Stanwood football completed 13 of 17 passes for 364 yards and five touchdowns in a 70-22 win over Walla Walla on Nov. 7. Audrey Williams from Lynnwood volleyball recorded 21 kills to lead her team to a comeback district playoff win over Mountlake Terrace on Nov. 5.

Ella Iseminger from Lake Stevens volleyball is the final nominee. The junior outside hitter recorded 17 kills, 20 digs, and 3 aces in a win over Woodinville on Nov. 6. She also led the team to a league-clinching victory over Kamiak on Nov. 3 with 27 kills and 16 digs. Nominations for the award are based on statistics, coach recommendations, and reporter observations. Coaches can submit stats and recommendations to the sports desk by 9 a.m. on Monday.

The selection process relies on reported game statistics and input from local coaches. Individuals can participate in the voting process by visiting the online platform. The award recognizes individual athletic performance in high school sports within the region.