Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

The second half of 2019 provided many memorable moments for prep sports fans.

Jackson's Mia Chang won a pair of state titles at the 4A girls swimming championships.

The Archbishop Murphy and Glacier Peak football, Glacier Peak girls soccer and the Jackson volleyball teams all distinguished themselves with successfull regular season performances and all advanced to the playoffs.

Let's take a look back at some of the highlights of 2019.

July

Jackson's Thomas wins Summer Smash crown

Jackson's Brady Thomas dominated his rivals at the fifth annual Snohomish Summer Smash tennis tourney Saturday, July 27, at Snohomish High School.

Thomas, who finished second at the 4A state tournament, did not drop a single game en rout to winning the Boys Gold Division singles championship. Thomas also teamed up with Jackson's Anuj Vimawala to defeat Snohomish's Cade Strickland and Macen Strickland 6-0, 6-0 to claim the Boys Gold Doubles title.

August

Early playoff exit provides motivation for Wildcats

The Archbishop Murphy football team had a little bit of a bitter taste in its mouth at the end of last season.

After three straight state playoff appearances that yielded a 2A title in 2016 and two close semifinal losses in 2015 and 2017, the Wildcats' playoff run was derailed by an unexpected 37-9 loss to Sehome in the district playoffs.

Senior co-captain/quarterback Victor Gabalis has not forgotten about the game.

"It's still on my mind," he said. "The first two mornings after I was up working. So I still keep it in the back of my mind. I keep stuff two years ago, losses, in the back of my mind."

September

Glacier Peak opens with back-to-back victories

Glacier Peak seems to be hitting its stride heading into the start of league play.

The Grizzlies followed up their season-opening 35-14 victory over Edmonds-Woodway with another dominant performance – 24-3 over crosstown rival Snohomish in a nonconference football game Friday, Sept. 13, at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

October

Glacier Peak claims Wesco 4A girls soccer crown

The Glacier Peak girls soccer team celebrated its first league title in nine years with a 1-0 victory over Monroe in the final Wesco 4A regular season game Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Monroe High School.

The Grizzlies, who claimed the Wesco 3A crown in 2010, finished atop the league with a 13-1-0 record (14-1-1 overall). Of all the 13 league wins this season, Glacier Peak's 2-1 double overtime stunner over Jackson on Thursday, Oct. 17, might just be one of the team's defining moments.

Jackson stages miraculous comeback at districts

November

Jackson staged a comeback for the ages.

With the match tied at two sets apiece, the Timberwolves found themselves down 12-5 in the fifth and deciding set against Issaquah in a Wes-King 4A volleyball tournament match.

The Wolfpack dug deep and used a 10-1 run to stun the Eagles and prevail 25-22, 25-19, 24-26, 22-25, 15-13 Saturday, Nov. 9, at Jackson High School.

"I think we just has a ton of heart in that game," Jackson senior Paige Wilson said.

Wolfpack standout Chang captures two state titles

Jackson junior Mia Chang won two individual state titles and earned the distinction of being named the 4A swimmer of the meet Saturday, Nov. 16, at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way.

"It feels really good to see everything all come together," Chang said. "I was really happy with my swims today."

Chang achieved a personal milestone in the 200-yard individual medley by finishing first in 1 minute, 59.71 seconds.

Chang edged Newport's Samantha Baron, who finished second in 1:59.98. Chang and Baron were the only two swimmers to finish in less than two minutes.

Then in her favorite event, the 100 backstroke, Chang claimed another first-place medal, clocking in at 54.54, ahead Newport's Jamie Zimmerman, who was second in 56.26.

December

Football players honored at officials banquet

Six Archbishop Murphy, Glacier Peak and Jackson players were among the 51 scholar athletes honored at the 38th annual Snohomish County Football Officials Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Banquet.

Archbishop Murphy's Josiah Santiago and Tommy Sullivan, Glacier Peak's Tony McDaniel and Dylan Owen, and Jackson's Allan Tran and Daniel Yoon were among the players eligible for $18,000 in scholarships. The players were nominated by coaches from 26 high schools in Snohomish County.