Winners of The News Tribune’s Athletes of the Week (March 22-27)
Congratulations to the winners of The News Tribune’s high school Athlete of the Week poll (March 22-27). Thanks to everyone who voted and supported their local student-athletes.
Want to nominate a high school athlete from the South Sound in the future? Email TNT sports reporter Lauren Smith with the athlete’s first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
This week’s winners are:
Luke Holcomb, Puyallup football
Kelli Kaelin, White River volleyball
You can read about the candidates and their accomplishments below.
Note: The polls can be found below each category. If you’re having trouble viewing them, try opening this story in a different web browser, such as Chrome or Safari. Votes can only be submitted through the poll on this page. Votes e-mailed will not be counted.
FOOTBALL
Chris Akulshin, Peninsula: Hauled in four passes for 111 yards and a TD in a win over Bellarmine Prep.
Junior Alexander, Kennedy Catholic: Hauled in 11 passes for 143 yards and three TDs for the undefeated Lancers in a win over Kentwood.
Denzel Boston, Emerald Ridge: Hauled in eight catches for 106 yards and a TD in a loss to Puyallup.
Logan Brady, Steilacoom: Tallied a career-high 209 receiving yards on 11 catches, and tied a state record with six receiving TDs in a win over Orting. Added five catches for 65 yards and a TD, and an 85-yard punt return for a TD in a win over Franklin Pierce.
D.J. Fryar, Steilacoom: Hauled in five passes for 130 yards and a TD, and had six tackles in a win over Orting. Added 20 receiving yards on three catches and 40 rushing yards and a TD on three carries in a win over Franklin Pierce.
Luke Holcomb, Puyallup: Completed 10-of-16 passes for 191 yards and four TDs in a win over Emerald Ridge.
Sam Huard, Kennedy Catholic: Completed 40-of-56 passes for 514 yards and eight TDs for the undefeated Lancers in a win over Kentwood. Broke the state’s career passing record in the second quarter, finishing his career 847-of-1,356 passing for 13,226 yards and 153 touchdowns in 35 games.
Caden Jumper, Eatonville: Finished 7-of-8 passing for 166 yards and four TDs, and added 110 rushing yards on 18 carries in a win over Enumclaw.
Zack Lee, Graham-Kapowsin: Rushed for 106 yards and a TD on 29 carries as the Eagles secured an undefeated 4A SPSL title.
Julian Mason, Graham-Kapowsin: Hauled in seven catches for 126 yards and a TD as the Eagles secured an undefeated 4A SPSL title.
Chance McDonald, Steilacoom: Completed 19-of-24 passes for 381 yards, seven TDs and two INTs in a win over Orting. Added another 184 passing yards, two TDs and two INTs on 17-of-28 passing in a win over Franklin Pierce.
Lole Tapasa, Kentwood: Rushed for 133 yards and two TDs on 28 carries in a loss to Kennedy Catholic.
Jabez Tinae, Kennedy Catholic: Hauled in nine catches for 155 yards and two TDs for the undefeated Lancers in a win over Kentwood.
Jasiah Wagoner, Spanaway Lake: Rushed for 237 yards and three TDs on 21 carries, added two catches for 11 yards, four tackles and a pass defended in a win over Lakes as the Sentinels secured an undefeated 3A PCL title.
Leland Ward, Kennedy Catholic: Hauled in 14 catches for 152 yards and two TDs, added 56 yards on 11 carries and had an 80-yard kickoff return for the undefeated Lancers in a win over Kentwood.
Joshua Wood, Graham-Kapowsin: Completed 16-of-23 passes for 306 yards, three TDs and an INT in a win over Sumner as the Eagles secured an undefeated 4A SPSL title.
OTHER SPORTS
Note: State leaders in track and field do not include marks set by high school athletes competing unattached in club events.
Drake Anderson, Puyallup baseball: Finished 2-for-3 with a double, walk, two RBI and a stolen base in a win over Graham-Kapowsin.
Micah Bach, Puyallup track and field: Holds top time in state in 100-meter dash after first week at personal-best 11.45.
Evan Bailey, Curtis baseball: Finished 1-for-3 with a double, walk, three RBI and a stolen bases in a win over Sumner.
Zoey Diviney, Bonney Lake track and field: Holds top time in state in 1,600 meters after first week at personal-best 5:17.44 and second-ranked time in state in 800 meters at 2:24.26.
Noah Fields, Puyallup baseball: Finished 2-for-3 with a walk, two RBI and two stolen bases in a win over Graham-Kapowsin.
Hayden Fisher, Sumner track and field: Holds top time in state in 400 meters after first week at personal-best 51.83.
Ho’oponokauilani Fuiava, Central Kitsap track and field: Holds top marks in state in both shot put (38-5 1/4) and discus (138-1) after first week.
Kelli Kaelin, White River volleyball: Libero had 31 digs in a win over Orting and 22 digs in a win over Fife. Finished the season with 233 digs, averaging 25 per match.
Ally Larkin, Puyallup track and field: Holds top time in state in 100-meter hurdles after first week at personal-best 17.88.
Josiah O’Bannon, Curtis baseball: Finished 2-for-4 with a double, RBI and stolen base in a win over Sumner. Also pitched six complete innings, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out six and walking one on 75 pitches.
Jordan Poland, South Kitsap baseball: Finished 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks and a stolen base in a win over Bellarmine Prep.
Olivia Quinnet, Enumclaw girls soccer: Midfielder tallied two goals and three assists in three matches last week.
Grace Schenk, Central Kitsap track and field: Holds top mark in state in javelin after first week at personal-best 126-3.
Elle Thomas, White River volleyball: Outside hitter tallied 18 kills and three digs in a win over Orting and 15 kills and four digs in a win over Fife. Finished the season with 125 kills and 82 digs, averaging 13.8 kills per match and 9.1 digs per match.
This story was originally published March 29, 2021 at 10:30 AM.
