Baseball
Newport
The Knights scuffled to an 8-12 overall record, and missed the playoffs after finishing just 4-11 in 4A KingCo play. The consecutive losing seasons in the conference were the first since 1991 and 1992, according to the program’s official website.
A recognizable face for Newport fans will take on an increased role in 2014, as longtime assistant and alum Brad Files takes over for departed head coach Hal DeBerry.
Bellevue
Bellevue won the regular season title with a 12-2 KingCo record, and beat Juanita 1-0 in the KingCo tournament semi finals before falling 3-2 to Mount Si for the championship.
A 4-1 win over Mercer Island kept their season alive, as the Wolverines ended the year one game shy of the 3A state tournament with a 13-2 loss to Seattle Prep.
Interlake
The Saints fell 5-1 to Juanita in a loser-out game in the first round of the league tournament after a 6-8 record during the KingCo season.
Sammamish
Lake Washington took the lone 2A berth to the postseason on the baseball diamond last year from KingCo, as the Totems finished 4-10 in the league.
Boys lacrosse
Bellevue
The Wolverines, once again bolstered by a host of All-State selections and future collegiate players, won a second straight Division I state title, and did not lose a game to a team from the state of Washington during the season.
Bellevue won playoff games over Eastlake (15-5), Eastside Catholic (12-6) and rival Mercer Island 14-11 for the title.
Returning standout Hank Bethke leads this year’s squad on its quest for a three-peat and fourth championship since 2010.
Newport-Sammamish-Interlake
The former Sammamish Lacrosse Club is operating under a new name, including each of the three areas it draws prep players from in Bellevue. After missing the playoffs in its first year in Division I, NSI will try and earn one of five of the conference’s berths to this year’s state tournament.
Track and field
The Wolverines will be without part of their state championship relay contingent in Myles Jack, but have no shortage of returning sprinters capable of bringing home more hardware.
Multiple state title winner and University of Washington football commit Budda Baker leads that pack after taking the 100 meters last year at state.
Isaiah Gilchrist and Sam Richmond, who also earned individual state placings last season as underclassman, return along with Max Richmond, Justus Rogers, Graham Wendle and Marcel Lee after helping the Wolverines to 400 and 1600 meter relay titles last year.
On the girls side, Interlake’s Nikita Waghani ran in the 3200 meters at state last year as a junior, while Bellevue’s Ayane Rossano and Floraine Kameni will also be after podium spots after competing at state last year.
