Each Tuesday, CoachesAid.com publishes a new Hot List, which is a list of high school athletes who’ve done something extraordinary lately in the state of Washington.
This is a list that features the best of the best in Washington State: The hottest high school athletes based on recent accomplishments.
Here is this week's CoachesAid.com Hot List for the state of Washington, in no particular order:
Girls volleyball
ALEXIS OLGARD, Mead: The 6-foot-5 middle blocker led the Panthers to an amazing 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Curtis for the Class 4A state championship. Olgard, who’s headed to the University of Southern California, had 33 kills and 10 blocks as Mead beat Curtis, 23-25, 25-27, 26-24, 25-23, 15-12.
SUMMER NASH, Blanchet: The 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter was named most valuable player at the Class 3A state tournament after leading the Braves from Seattle over Mount Spokane in the title match. Nash, who’s headed to San Diego State, had 28 kills and four blocks as Blanchet beat Mount Spokane, 15-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-14.
Girls swimming
ANDIE TAYLOR, Skyline: The Spartans’ senior capped an amazing high school year, earning swimmer of the meet honors at the Class 4A state meet for the third year in a row. Taylor was a part of four state titles to lead Skyline to its first state girls swimming team championship. Taylor won the 200-yard freestyle in a state meet record 1 minute, 46.55 seconds, also won the 500 freestyle (4:45.47) and was a part of the winning 200 and 400 freestyle relays.
AMBER CRATSENBERG, Thomas Jefferson: The sophomore from Federal Way felt at home at the King County Aquatics Center, winning two titles at the Class 4A state girls swimming championships. Cratsenberg was the surprise winner of the 50 freestyle (23.87 seconds) and also captured the 100 freestyle title (51.57).
Boys cross country
North Central's Ben Johnson, who won a 3A state cross country title in Pasco on Nov. 7, added a regional championship in Boise, Idaho last Saturday (photo by Ron Newberry).
BEN JOHNSTON, North Central: The senior from Spokane won the championship boys race at the NXN Northwest regionals in Boise, Idaho, finishing in 15 minutes, 29.6 seconds, to lead the Indians to the team title. Johnston, who had won the Class 3A state championship in Pasco a week earlier, finished ahead of Bellevue’s Michael Williams (15.44.5) and Ferris’ Adam Thorne (15:46.1) as Washington runners took the top three spots. Idaho’s 4A state champion, Emily Nist, won the girls regional title in a course-record 17:57.4, finishing ahead of Annamarie Maag (18:08.5) Jesuit (Portland, Ore.) and North Central freshman Katie Knight (18:11.1). Glacier Peak freshman Amy-Eloise Neale was fourth (18:19.2).
See for yourself: Nike Cross Nationals at Portland (Ore.) Meadows, Dec. 5, 10:05 a.m.
Football
JAKE HEAPS, Skyline: The Brigham Young University-bound quarterback played his best game of the season in a 63-14 state playoff rout of South Kitsap. Heaps completed 20 of 27 passes for 303 yards and a school-record seven touchdowns – then sat out the second half.
See for yourself: at Curtis, Class 4A state quarterfinals, Saturday, 7 p.m.
MATT HADLEY, Connell: The sophomore running back had 391 all-purpose yards and scored touchdowns in three different ways in the Eagles’ 34-14 victory over Cascade of Leavenworth in the Class 1A state playoffs. Hadley rushed for 133 yards on 14 carries, had three catches for 103 yards and returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown. His other touchdowns included a 79-yard reception and 17-yard run.
See for yourself: vs. River View, Class 1A state quarterfinals, Lampson Stadium, Kennewick, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Kasen Williams of Skyline High School a highly-sought after junior. His father, Aaron Williams, was a star receiver and track and field star at Wilson High School in Tacoma in the 1970s (photo by Ron Newberry).
KASEN WILLIAMS, Skyline: The 6-foot-2, 197-pound junior wide receiver showed his domination, catching eight passes for 108 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-14 state playoff victory over South Kitsap at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. It was extra special for Williams, whose father, Aaron Williams, was a star receiver and track standout for Tacoma’s Wilson High School in the 1970s.
See for yourself: at Curtis, Class 4A state quarterfinals, Saturday, 7 p.m.
GRANT GELLATLY, Issaquah: The senior running back ran wild in a 48-28 state playoff victory over Jackson. Gellatly carried the ball 39 times for 253 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Eagles rallied from a 21-0 deficit to reach the state quarterfinals for the second year in a row.
See for yourself: at Bothell, 4A state quarterfinals, Friday, 7 p.m.
SIONE POTOA’E, Lakes: The senior defensive tackle was the leading menace for a Lancers’ defense that held North Thurston to 9 total yards of offense in a 56-0 Lakes victory in the 3A state playoffs. Potoa’e, who has given a verbal commitment to the University of Washington, had four tackles for losses, including a sack.
See for yourself: vs. Mount Spokane at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane, Class 3A state quarterfinals, Saturday, 1 p.m.
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