With 2011 nearing its close, the Reporter is taking a look back at the best that was in the world of Bellevue area sports and recreation. From now until the end of the year, we will recap the best moments, stories and athletes of our area.
Comeback Story of the Year – Jake Wilson, Interlake baseball and golf
Taking a baseball to the face from point-blank range would be enough to persuade most athletes to stay off the diamond.
Now a senior, Wilson rebounded from a devastating injury during his sophomore campaign to power the Saints all the way to the state tournament and finish among the conference leaders in several offensive statistical categories in the process in 2011.
The comeback is even more remarkable considering Wilson spent seven hours in surgery to repair three avulsed teeth, a fractured palatal plate and a shattered buccal plate of the pre-maxilla.
“The biggest thing was wondering if I’d be able to come back out on the field emotionally,” Wilson said. “But I felt way more comfortable than I thought I would.”
Foregoing his final football season due to the injury, Wilson teamed with standout golfers Andrew Kennedy, Patrick Sato, Andy Liu, Sam Fisher, Chandler Hawk and Grant Cole to complete an undefeated regular season and win the KingCo Medalist Tournament, more than 20 strokes ahead of crosstown rivals Bellevue and Sammamish.
The rest of the Best: Humanitarian Recognition; Biggest Surprise
