As another year comes to a close, the Reporter takes a look back at the best moments, athletes and stories in sports and recreation from the past year.
From an historic fifth straight title to a dynamic, college-bound quarterback and developmentally disabled Bellevue College student-athlete with Olympic sized dreams, these are the people and moments that defined 2012.
Male Athlete of the Year- Isaac Dotson, Newport
When it comes to raw athleticism, few can match Newport senior Isaac Dotson.
If the measure is character or dedication, Dotson still stands alone.
The Nevada-bound quarterback who also stars for coach Steve Haizlip’s basketball team is one of the top athletes in the state and helped the Knights to the state quarterfinal round during the football season with 765 yards passing and 11 scores through the air to go with more than 1,000 yards and 17 more touchdowns on the ground.
Rest of the best: Budda Baker, Bellevue football and track; Luat Le, Interlake tennis
Female Athlete of the Year- Lorea Gwo, Newport
Gwo broke a decades-old school record and shared the moment with assistant coach and friend Liz Strathy, the former record holder, en route to the school’s first girls swim and dive state championship in 26 years.
Gwo finished third in the 50 free and 100 fly and helped the 400 free relay team to a third place finish to secure the team scoring championship.
Rest of the best: Kim Williams, Bellevue Christian School girls swimming; Michelle Lui, Forest Ridge tennis; Marianne Li, Newport girls golf; Casey Schoenlin, Newport volleyball
Inspirational Story of the Year- Anthony Anderson, Robinswood Tennis Center
When Anthony Anderson was paralyzed from the waist down after a car crash during his high school days, he could have chosen a life of pity and solitude.
Instead, Anderson decided on a different approach.
After becoming involved in wheelchair athletics shortly after being rel
eased from the hospital, Anderson found his niche in wheelchair tennis and became a standout player. When playing against other wheelchair athletes was no longer enough, he started facing-off against able bodied players, and winning.
In the years since his accident, Anderson has traveled around the world to play tennis and remains an active voice in the lives of others facing a similar future.
Rest of the best: Kyle Keyes, iBall; Eleanor Worley, Interlake baseball player; Marathon family
Team of the Year- Bellevue football
No year seems complete without the 3A state football trophy coming back to Wolverine Way and coach Butch Goncharoff’s squad didn’t disappoint in 2012, blowing out opponents on the way to the program’s fifth straight championship.
That accomplishment was the first for a Washington prep squad, as was Bellevue’s season-ending ranking atop the Sports Illustrated national high school football poll.
Rest of the best: Newport girls swim and dive; Bellevue boys lacrosse; Bellevue boys track and field; Bellevue water polo; Newport girls tennis; Interlake boys golf; Interlake boys tennis
