Winner of The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Year
Voting is now closed for The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Year for 2024-25 high school seasons. Thanks to everyone who voted and supported local student-athletes.
The News Tribune’s Girls Athlete of the Year is:
Mae Cocke, Sumner
Sumner’s three-sport junior athlete delivered the district championship-clinching goal for the girls soccer team last fall, contributed to the state runner-up basketball team at the Tacoma Dome, and captured the 4A Girls 4x400 Relay title at last month’s state track and field meet (3:52.72) at Mount Tahoma.
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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Bailey Andersen, Eatonville, sr. — Played volleyball, basketball and tennis. Was the 2A SPSL MVP last winter and leaves as the school’s all-time leading career scorer. Finished seventh in state this season in tennis singles.
Ella Bach, Puyallup, jr. — Three-time 4A SPSL first-team forward was the TNT’s 2024 All-Area girls soccer player of the year after leading the Vikings to the 4A state tournament. Scored 17 goals and had six assists. Clemson commit.
Lindsey Balderson, Stadium, sr. — Three-sport athlete competed in swim, wrestling and water polo, earning 10 trophies for swimming, two plaques, three ribbons and two ribbons for wrestling. On the water polo team, had three goals and eight assists.
Mae Cocke, Sumner, jr. — Three-sport athlete delivered the district championship-clinching goal for Sumner’s girls soccer team last fall, contributed to the state runner-up basketball team at the Tacoma Dome, and captured the 4A Girls 4x400 Relay title at last month’s state track and field meet (3:52.72) at Mount Tahoma.
Olivia Collins, Sumner, jr. — 4A SPSL North co-MVP and all-tournament selection was the TNT’s All-Area girls basketball player of the year after leading the Spartans to the 4A state championship game. Averaged 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three assists per game.
Avery Cukjati, Curtis, sr. — WSVCA 4A All-State Player of the Year and 4A SPSL Offensive Player of the Year was also the TNT’s 2024 All-Area volleyball player of the year, leading Curtis to an undefeated season and the 4A state championship. Had 323 kills (4.3/set), 33 aces, 13 blocks, and 169 digs. Santa Clara beach commit.
Eliza Hall, Stadium, sr. — Played volleyball and tennis for the Tigers, captaining the tennis team the past two seasons and earning the 4A NPSL doubles team of the year award alongside her playing partner.
Stella Johnson, Stadium, sr. — This golfer was a four-time varsity letter winner at Stadium and three-time WIAA state tournament competitor. Took third at the 4A NPSL championship in 2024-25, second in the 3A PCL championship in 2023-24 and third in the 3A PCL championship in 2022-23. Fircrest Golf Club women’s club champion in 2024 and RMJT Spring Showcase Champion in 2024. Seattle Pacific signee.
Addison Kelly, Silas, sr. — Senior racked up three straight 3A state titles in the triple jump, winning the event in 2023, 2024 and 2025. Also finished fifth in the state in the long jump and was a member of Silas’ 4x100 meter relay team, which took second in the state. In her career, placed 8th or better seven times in the WIAA state track and field championships.
Grace Lee, North Thurston, sr. — Starred in basketball and golf, earning first-team honors in the 3A Puget Sound League on the basketball court last winter and wrapping up her career with 1,521 total points. Was a state golf participant the past two years.
Nevaeh Molina, Kent-Meridian, sr. — Three-sport athlete was a 3A NPSL second-team selection in volleyball, a state qualifier in wrestling and secured a ninth-place finish in the javelin event at the state track and field meet this season.
Sierra Murray, Rogers, fr. — TNT All-Area softball player of the year and 15-year-old phenom carried Rogers to the 4A championship game as the South Sound’s strikeout leader (252) this spring. 4A SPSL North MVP posted a 17-4 record and 1.35 earned run average in 155.1 innings pitched and hit .413 with 18 RBI at the plate.
Kiara Scheidt, Rogers, sr. — Three-sport athlete played soccer, flag football and participated in track and field. 4A SPSL second-team selection in soccer, first-team selection in flag football and a West Central District participant in track.
Mira Sonnen, Peninsula, sr. — Carried a 4.0 grade point average in the classroom and excelled in everything she did athletically, wrestling and playing fastpitch. Won two individual state titles in wrestling and had a third-place finish in her career, helping the Seahawks win the team title in 2024 and secure a runner-up finish in 2025. 3A PSL Nisqually all-league honorable mention selection this softball season, in which she hit .402 with 19 RBI. Columbia University wrestling commit.
Laelah Tiquia, Thomas Jefferson, fr. — Was the leader of Thomas Jefferson’s 3A state championship bowling team. Individually, won the 2025 national bowling title in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
This story was originally published June 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM.
