Women's soccer opens postseason at Bellevue

LYNNWOOD -- For the first time since 2014 the Edmonds CC women's soccer program will play in the NWAC postseason, which begins Wednesday, October 31. The Tritons will make a short trip down I-405 and match up with the Bellevue College Bulldogs, the second-place finisher from the West Region. The Halloween playoff battle kicks off at 2 p.m.

Kailin Wiley

First-year head coach Adam Fenster and assistants Val Seid and Aaron Johnson have assembled a group that has made an impressive turnaround in less than one year. Read the recent article in the Everett Herald. Edmonds (9-6-2, 8-6-1 North) finished third in the North Region behind perennial power Peninsula and Whatcom this season after winning just two games in 2017.

The Trtions' front line has been key to their success. When healthy, Edmonds has four legitimate weapons in Kailin Wiley (Mukilteo, Wash.), Katy Ewoniuk (South Sandy, Utah), Alexis Griggs (Sultan, Wash.), and Julia Hart (Mountlake Terrace, Wash.). Ewoniuk has been the only player to stay healthy throughout the season. Wiley has been unstoppable at times in open space; she's netted 16 goals and has added seven assists. Ewoniuk is the second-leading scorer with 11 goals, and Griggs -- who has returned after fighting through injuries -- has scored five goals. Hart has also battled the injury bug, but has added four goals in the 2018 campaign.

Sophomore captain Alex Modica (Shoreline, Wash.) has set the tone with her work ethic. Lexi Ramirez (Lake Stevens, Wash.) has been consistent defensively, holding down the back line. Both Triton keepers -- Erikah Ledesma (Yakima, Wash.) and Sammy Miller-Foy (Edmonds, Wash.) -- have experience under their belts.

No matter Edmonds' finish, Fenster is pleased with the work they've accomplished this year. "We set a goal to make playoffs and we accomplished that goal. We are really happy about doing that the first season," he said. When asked about the Tritons' chances Fenster said, "This game is mental. We need to go out there and believe in ourselves, and we'll be fine. We're playing for each other."

Bellevue is the fifth-ranked team in the NWAC and has a formidable offensive attack as well. Led by Lauren Landis and Katelyn Evans, the Bulldogs are averaging 15 shots per game. Landis is the top goal scorer in the conference with 23, and ranks fourth in assists (10). Freshman keeper Taylor Thatcher has been very solid in goal; she sports a .889 save percentage.

The winner of Wednesday's first-round match advances to the NWAC quarterfinals against South Region champion and third-ranked Clark College on Saturday, November 3. Follow the Edmonds CC Tritons on Twitter for in game updates on Wednesday. Edmonds CC women's soccer won NWAC titles in 2000 and 2002.

NWAC Women's Soccer Championships website

Chuck Stark Appointed Interim Softball Head Coach

LYNNWOOD -- Chuck Stark has been appointed as interim head coach of the softball program at Edmonds Community College. Stark takes over for Sheryl Gilmore, who was tabbed as the new head softball coach at Western Washington University last week.

Stark, who is retired, comes to Edmonds after coaching five years at Olympic College. He assisted at OC from 2013-15 and was the head coach in 2016 and 2017. In his five years there, the Rangers qualified for the NWAC playoffs four times. He played men’s fastpitch as a catcher and third baseman for 22 years at a high level, serving as player-coach for several years for teams that competed at the regional and national levels. In 2000, Stark was inducted into the Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame for his softball exploits. He earned numerous all-tournament honors and was an ASA All-American in 1992 when he helped Bremerton’s Pop’s Inn to a third place finish at the 64-team national tournament.

Chuck Stark

While at Olympic, he helped many players move on to four-year schools, including Bethany Balucan-Batangan (Central Washington University), Greta Coleman (Bloomfield College), Mariah Frazier (Bloomfield College), Alyssa Espiritu (Concordia University Portland), Samantha Gorman (Central Washington University), and Kelsey Lucostic (University of Montana). Stark also coached youth baseball for over a decade and has high school baseball coaching experience. He prepped at West Bremerton High School where he was a three-sport athlete. Stark played baseball and basketball at Olympic College in 1972, and baseball in 1975. His college years were interrupted by a three-year stint in the Army.

“In our current situation with Coach Gilmore being hired so late in the summer, it became obvious that Chuck was the best fit to stabilize the program and allow us to accomplish our long-term objective of hiring an outstanding head coach for the future. His success and experience -- especially in the NWAC – will help to make this transition period seamless for the players. It will also allow us to conduct the proper search for our next head coach. With these types of decisions, what’s best for our student-athletes is paramount,” athletic director Spencer Stark said. “It’s no secret that a majority of the 2019 team hails from Hawaii, and Stark’s past experience with coaching players from out of the area, including Hawaii, will be positive for this team and its transition.”

Gilmore moved on after four years at the helm for the Tritons. She guided the team to its first North Region title since 1999 this past spring. Edmonds took 3rd place at the NWAC Tournament in 2018 and went 106-60 under Gilmore’s leadership. A former Triton player, Gilmore helped the program ascend into the upper echelon of NWAC teams. Gilmore also served as the women’s commissioner for athletics. 

“I am so thankful to Sheryl for developing our softball student-athletes. We appreciate everything she’s done here at Edmonds and can’t wait to watch her do great things at Western. It’s a very exciting opportunity for her to return to her alma mater,” said Stark.

Sheryl Gilmore

Gilmore will officially start her new position on September 1 in Bellingham. The Vikings are members of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) and participate at the NCAA DII level. Gilmore returns to her former home where she taught upper division kinesiology classes and helped with strength and conditioning for the softball team in her previous time there. “I can’t thank Edmonds enough for the opportunity they gave me to lead the program the past four years. They supported me, my staff, and our players every single day. I’m grateful to all the players for everything they have given me and taught me these last four years. They are the reason I coach and they created the greatest thing I have ever been a part of. I am confident the ladies that currently make up Team 41 are in the best hands, and I will be here every step of the way during this transition period,” said Gilmore.

Gilmore coached against Stark while he was at Olympic and is very familiar with his coaching style. “Chuck is an amazing coach and an even better person. He’s a positive leader, knows the game, and is consistent. I really think he’s the perfect fit to take over right now. I am happy to know these ladies will be in good hands,” Gilmore added.

“Sheryl elevated Edmonds softball to new heights in a short amount of time, and I’m honored to be part of it while the college searches for the next leader of the program,” Stark said. “It’s a championship caliber program and I’ll do all I can to keep it that way during this transition period. I’m very excited about the coming season. Softball’s a fun game. We’ll work hard, keep it simple, and have fun. If we can channel Sheryl’s leadership and spirit, we’re all going to have a good time.”

Ex-Triton Arista Honey (’14) will join the program as a part-time assistant this season. Honey went on to play at NCAA DII Dixie State University and is currently coaching and training youth softball players in the area. More assistants will be added in the coming weeks.

The Tritons return eight playoff-tested sophomores, and have 11 incoming freshmen. Edmonds begins fall ball on September 4 and will play in the NWAC Fall Classic on September 22 at Portland’s Delta Park. More fall ball games will be added. The revamped NWAC softball showcase will take place at Centralia’s Northwest Sports Hub on October 20.

Volleyball reloads with freshman class

LYNNWOOD -- Edmonds CC volleyball has reloaded for the 2018 season, and welcomes seven new players to the program. The roster is diverse, with a mix of players from across the Northwest. There are players from four different states (WA, OR, ID, UT). Head coach Tony Miranda has signed five incoming freshmen and two transfers for the upcoming season.

Payton Ludwig is a three-year letter winner from Lake Stevens High School where she played libero, outside hitter, and setter. Her senior year was her first season playing libero, and she was awarded WesCo 4A 2nd Team honors. Lake Stevens qualified for the playoffs her junior and senior seasons, finishing 8th in 2016. Ludwig plays for WVBA 18 Adidas and played three seasons for the Northwest Juniors.

Emily Jameson is an outside hitter from Glacier Peak High School. She was selected as WesCo 4A honorable mention her senior year. She previously played for the Seattle Juniors and Northwest Juniors while in high school.

Haylee Hooper is another three-year letter winner from Auburn Mountainview High School. Her senior year, she was awarded 2nd Team All NPSL setter. Auburn Mountainview finished 5th in 2016 and 7th in 2015 at the state tournament. Hooper played club for the Puget Sound Volleyball Academy.

Sadie Gardner is an outside hitter and middle blocker from Vernal, Utah. She's a versatile athlete and a four-year letter winner for Uintah High School. Gardner has played multiple positions throughout her career and assumed setting duties her senior year. She was a 4A All-State selection her senior year as setter and outside hitter.

Audree Weekes is a two-year letter winner from Emmett High School in Idaho. She was selected to the 4A Southern Idaho 2nd Team as a setter and has played the last few seasons for the RISE Volleyball Academy.

Zarya Smith is one of two transfers from Salt Lake Community College. Smith is an outside hitter from Olympus High School in Holladay, Utah. At SLCC she played DS and outside hitter, competing in nine matches. At Olympus she was the team MVP three straight years and earned All Region honors her sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns. Smith received Desert News All State honorable mention her sophomore year, and was 2nd Team All State her junior and senior years. In 2016 she was a Utah State Beach Champion. Smith also collected four varsity letters in swimming.

Sydnee Peterson is a defensive specialist, libero, and outside hitter from Corner Canyon High School in Draper, Utah. At SLCC she primarily played DS and libero, competing in 17 matches. At Corner Canyon she lettered three times in volleyball, and one year in golf. Her volleyball awards include: 2016 Region 7 MVP, 2016 1st Team Region 7, 4A Senior All-Star, and 3rd Team All State. Her 2016 club team, Club V, were region champions and qualified for Nationals. They finished 11th overall in the 18 USA Division.

Dmitruk was a 1st Team NWAC North selection in 2017

Smith and Peterson were both members of the team at SLCC that earned a share of the Southwest Athletic Conference crown in 2017. The team was nationally ranked in the NJCAA Division I all season.

"We are proud to welcome these girls to our program. Our incoming freshmen will bring a great attitude and athleticism, which are a great fit with our current group of athletes," said coach Tony Miranda. Sophomore returners include Sam Fast (L), Rylie Rasar (MB), Ciera Hadden (OH), Emalee Jordan (L), Heather Goodman (OH), Kendall Broschat (MB), and Michelle Dmitruk (OH).

The 2018 schedule has been released. After three scrimmages against four-year schools, Edmonds will open the season at the NWAC Fall Showcase August 25-26 at the Bob Keefer Center in Springfield, Ore. The Tritons have qualified for the postseason in back-to-back years.

Triton Athletics honors excellence at annual awards ceremony

LYNNWOOD -- The Edmonds CC athletics department held its sixth annual athletics banquet and awards ceremony on May 30 to honor the outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments of the 2017-18 athletic season. There was a great turnout of Triton student-athletes and special guests who were provided a catered meal from the college's culinary arts department.

Season Recap
Four Triton teams qualified for the postseason in 2017-18. Volleyball made the postseason for the second consecutive year and went 1-2 at the NWAC Tournament. Edmonds lost to Walla Walla, defeated Mt. Hood, and were eliminated by North Idaho. They were one set away from a North Region title; their 27 wins overall bested their 26-win season in 2016. It was the most victories for the program since the 2008 season. Men's basketball punched their ticket to the NWAC Championships for the fifth time in the last six years and had 20 wins on the season. The Tritons closed the season on a 6-2 run before losing to Linn-Benton CC in the opening round. Baseball extended their playoff streak to six straight years, and claimed the North Region title for the first time since 2015. Edmonds went 2-2 at the NWAC Tournament before bowing out to eventual champion Lower Columbia. The Tritons placed 3rd overall and ended the 2018 campaign with 40 wins (tied for second most in school history). Coach Scott Kelly was named North Region Coach of the Year for the third time in his tenure. Softball had a record-setting season, notching 42 wins and taking the North Region title for the first time since 2004. Their 3rd place finish at the NWAC Tournament was the highest for the program in 20 years. It was the third consecutive appearance for the Tritons in the playoffs. Coach Sheryl Gilmore was the North Region Coach of the Year for the first time.

Six Tritons earn NWAC Player of the Week honors:

• Macy Magri - NWAC North Volleyball Setter of the Week (August 30)
• Macy Magri - NWAC Volleyball Setter of the Week (August 30)
• Macy Magri - NWAC North Volleyball Setter of the Week (September 5)
• Michelle Dmitruk - NWAC North Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week (November 1)
• Michelle Dmitruk - NWAC North Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week (November 7)
• Michelle Dmitruk - NWAC Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week (November 7)
• Zach Walton - NWAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week (December 19)
• Zach Walton - NWAC Men's Basketball Player of the Week (February 27)
• Seli Aholelei - NWAC Softball Player of the Week (April 4)
• Seli Aholelei - NWAC Softball Pitcher of the Week (April 18)
• Will Smith - NWAC Baseball Pitcher of the Week (April 25)
• Chantelle Shimabukuro - NWAC Softball Player of the Week (May 10)

For the full list of this year's student-athletes who were selected as Tritons of the Week, go here.

Current list of Tritons who have signed to four-year schools from Edmonds CC this year:

• Sydney Lawrence (So.) - Volleyball - MB - Lewis-Clark State College (NAIA)
• Macy Magri (So.) - Volleyball - S - Arizona Christian University (NAIA)
• Morgan Lord (So.) - Women's Soccer - DF - Saint Martin's University (NCAA DII)
• Natalie Brown (So.) - Women's Soccer - F - Saint Martin's University (NCAA DII)
• Abdoulie Danso (So.) - Men's Soccer - DF - Adams State University (NCAA DII)
• Sheriff Conta (So.) - Men's Soccer - DF - Walla Walla University (NAIA)
• Kolby Force (Fr.) - Baseball - OF - Cal. State University, Northridge (NCAA DI)
• Will Smith (Fr.) - Baseball - RHP - Seattle University (NCAA DI)
• Evan Hurn (So.) - Baseball - 1B - Marshall University (NCAA DI)
• CJ Blowers (So.) - Baseball - LHP - Cal. State University, San Bernadino (NCAA DII)
• Andrew Bustard (Fr.) - Baseball - C - Simpson University (NAIA)
• Elliot Carney (So.) - Baseball - RHP - Wofford College (NCAA DI)
• Lucas Ford (So.) - Baseball - RHP - Charleston Southern University (NCAA DI)
• Carson Lindell (So.) - Baseball - INF - Concordia University Neb. (NAIA)
• Guthrie Morrison (So.) - Baseball - OF - Gonzaga University (NCAA DI)
• Nathaniel Sagdahl (So.) - Baseball - C - Central Arkansas University (NCAA DI)
• Elijah Santiago (So.) - Baseball - OF - Saint Martin's University (NCAA DII)
• Chasity Stalcup (So.) - Softball - UTL - Northwest University (NAIA)
• Nicole Manuel (So.) - Softball - OF - Pacific Lutheran University (NCAA DIII)
• Seli Aholelei (So.) - Softball - P/OF - Western Washington University (NCAA DII)

The NWAC recognizes sophomores with Academic Excellence awards for those earning at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA with a minimum of 36 credits earned. This year's Academic Excellence award winners:

• Sheriff Conta - Men's Soccer (3.8)
• Mahmoud Farajallah - Men's Soccer (3.77)
• Emanuel Sakaita - Men's Soccer (3.86)
• Sarah Beck - Women's Soccer (3.5)
• Natalie Brown - Women's Soccer (3.89)
• Morgan Lord - Women's Soccer (3.39)
• Kylie Morse - Women's Soccer (3.57)
• Chenoa Faletoi - Volleyball (3.47)
• Sydney Lawrence - Volleyball (3.43)
• Macy Magri - Volleyball (3.3)
• Rotash Mattu - Men's Basketball (3.51)
• Devin Price - Men's Basketball (3.47)
• Nicole Manuel - Softball (3.78)
• Elliot Carney - Baseball (3.75)
• Lucas Ford - Baseball (3.65)
• Evan Hurn - Baseball (3.4)
• Guthrie Morrison - Baseball (3.49)
• Nathaniel Sagdahl - Baseball (3.53)
• Conner Sayles - Baseball (3.84)
• Sam Wyatt - Baseball (3.36)

Additionally, over fall and winter quarters, there were 131 individual quarters where a Triton student-athlete earned a 3.0 or higher. There were 63 individual quarters where our Triton student-athletes earned a 3.5 or better.

Find each sport's all-region teams here: Men's & Women's Soccer | Men's & Women's Soccer All-Stars | Volleyball | Women's Basketball | Men's Basketball | Softball | Baseball

2017-18 individual program awards and Athletes of the Year

Female Athlete of the Year		Aholelei Seli Aholelei (Softball)
Co-Male Athletes of the Year		Walton and Carney Elliot Carney (Baseball) Zach Walton (Men's Basketball)
Softball MVP	Seli Aholelei	Coach’s Award	Emily Copeland
Men’s Basketball MVP	Zach Walton	Coach’s Award	Rotash Mattu
Women’s Soccer MVP	Natalie Brown	Coach’s Award	Natalia Datskiv
Men’s Soccer MVP	Sheriff Conta	Coach’s Award	Kyle Aure
Volleyball MVP	Michelle Dmitruk	Coach’s Award	Sydney Lawrence
Women’s Basketball MVP	Zaria Smith	Coach’s Award	Hailey Carlson
Baseball MVP	Elliot Carney	Coach’s Award	Nathaniel Sagdahl

All-NWAC & All-Americans
Softball's Seli Aholelei and Chantelle Shimabukuro were named to the NFCA NWAC All-American team. It was the second straight year Aholelei was bestowed with the honor -- a first in Triton softball history. 2018 NFCA NWAC All-Americans

Baseball had four players selected to the All-NWAC and Gold Glove teams -- Guthrie Morrison, Will Smith, Wyatt Stanley, and Nathaniel Sagdahl. Sophomore pitcher Elliot Carney was selected as the ABCA Pitcher of the Year. 2018 Baseball All-NWAC and Gold Glove Teams | 2018 ABCA/Rawlings Pacific Association Division All-America Teams

Sophomore backstop Nathaniel Sagdahl received the gold glove at catcher for the ABCA/Rawlings Pacific Association Division Gold Glove Team.

Special Recognition Awards

Kirk Mahalath

At the end of the evening two special recognition awards were given out. Custodian Kirk Mahalath received the Special Appreciation Award for his commitment and service to athletics. Mahalath keeps Seaview Gymnasium in great shape, and has worked tirelessly to upkeep the hardwood floor.

Ronnie Stiell-Williams

Coach Ronnie Stiell-Williams was chosen as the second recipient of the Ron Omori Assistant Coach of the Year Award. The men's basketball program's top assistant has been at head coach Kyle Gray's side for the past six years and is a selfless individual who has taken time to mentor many men's basketball players. Stiell-Williams is the Dean of Students at Edmonds-Woodway High School and prepped at Mountlake Terrace High School before playing at North Seattle CC. He joined the coaching ranks at North Seattle CC before following Gray to Edmonds.

All the pictures from the banquet are posted on the athletics Facebook page. The awards ceremony concluded another successful year for Edmonds. Fall sports (volleyball, men's soccer, and women's soccer) begin official practice on August 1.

Edmonds stays alive at NWAC tournament

LONGVIEW -- Facing elimination, Edmonds CC Baseball used a recipe that led them to success all year -- solid pitching and timely hitting. The Tritons topped regional rival Everett 4-2 on Saturday, and stay alive at the NWAC Baseball Championship Tournament. Guthrie Morrison opened the scoring with a 2-run single with 2 outs in the top of the 2nd inning. Everett responded with a run in the bottom of the 2nd. Yugo Hamakawa roped a 2-out double into the right field corner in the 5th, and David Gibons plated him with a double of his own. Nic Sokol's sacrifice fly in the 6th inning put the Tritons up 4-1.

The Tritons celebrate their 4-2 win Saturday
Photo courtesy 9 Inning Know It All

Starting pitcher Wyatt Stanley made it into the sixth inning and notched five strikeouts to earn the victory. Trey Tiffany, who has come on of late out of the bullpen, inherited the sacks full of Trojans in the 6th and was able to limit the damage to just one run. He went on to toss two plus innings of scoreless ball. NWAC save leader Lucas Ford recorded his 15th save of the season with a perfect 9th. Guthrie Morrison finished 3-for-5; Yugo Hamakawa collected two hits.

Edmonds lost a nail-biter to Yakima Valley, suffering a 2-0 setback on Friday night. That contest was scoreless until Yakima broke through in the bottom of the 8th. With two outs, a Yaks batter was hit by a pitch, swiped second base, moved to third on an Edmonds error, and scored on a wild pitch. The Yaks added another run in the top of the 9th. The Tritons had a few chances in the game, including in the bottom of the 9th, but were unable to convert. Elliot Carney, the North Region MVP, was the tough luck loser. In 8 innings, Carney fanned 10 batters, gave up just three hits, and allowed no earned runs.

There are only four clubs left in Longview. The Tritons must wait until the winners' bracket final is decided between Lower Columbia and Yakima Valley before they will know their game time Sunday. Their opponent will be the host, Lower Columbia. That game will be played at 12:05 p.m. or 4:05 p.m. Sunday at David Story Field. Spokane defeated Lane 2-1 in the other elimination game on Saturday.

Yakima Valley box score | Everett box score | NWAC Championship website
NWAC Sports Network YouTube Channel | updated bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Tritons blank Big Bend, face Yakima Friday

LONGVIEW -- The Edmonds CC baseball team won its first game at the NWAC Championships on Thursday, blanking Big Bend 2-0. Yugo Hamakawa's one out single to center field in the third inning is all the Tritons would need. Elijah Santiago started the frame with a single, Guthrie Morrison followed with a knock, and Nic Sokol's sacrifice fly to deep left field moved Santiago up to third base. Edmonds added another run in the fifth inning when Sokol scored all the way from second base on Hamakawa's fly ball to right field. The Vikings' right fielder made the snag as he went over the wall in right field.

Freshman Will Smith

Will Smith hurled seven innings of shutout ball, fanning five and scattering five hits in seven innings of work. The tall righty escaped jams in the third and seventh to keep the Vikings scoreless. The punch out of pinch-hitter Jayke Chavez in the seventh thwarted Big Bend's best chance for runs, and ended Smith's day. He handed it off to Lucas Ford, who worked the eighth and ninth for his NWAC-leading 14th save.

The Tritons (39-7) stay in the winners' bracket and matchup with Yakima Valley, the No. 1 ranked team and East Region champion, on Friday. The Yaks (42-9) topped Lane 6-4 in their opener, and feature four of the NWAC's top hitters in Zach Inskeep (.410), John Sage (.399), Cole Mckenzie (.364), and Tyler Detloff (.350). Yakima led the conference in nearly every team offensive category. If Edmonds wins Friday it will play at 5:35 p.m. Saturday against the other unbeaten team. A loss would drop them into a losers' bracket tilt at 11:05 a.m. or 2:05 p.m.

If you were unable to catch today's game online, the archives of all tournament games can be found on the NWAC Sports Network YouTube channel.

Big Bend box score | NWAC Championship website | Link to NWAC Sports Network YouTube Channel | Updated bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter |  NWAC All-Region and Glove Teams

NWAC Softball Title Decided Today

Tritons Must Win Three to Win Championship

SPOKANE -- Edmonds' softball comeback fell short against No. 1 ranked North Idaho and if the Tritons are going to win the school's first NWAC championship since 1980, they are going to have to do it the hard way. A 7-5 setback against North Idaho in the late game Sunday dropped the Tritons into the losers' bracket. Edmonds needs to win three straight on Monday, starting with an 11 a.m. game against Lower Columbia (41-13). The Tritons beat LCC 17-10 earlier in the tournament. The winner advances to the championship round and must beat North Idaho (49-3) twice to secure the title.

Seli Aholelei leaves the yard against NIC
photo courtesy Dan Acosta

The three teams left are all region champions -- Edmonds from the North, NIC the East and LCC the South. Edmonds fell behind 5-0 against North Idaho after four innings, but closed to within two on a Seli Aholelei home run, her third of the tournament. NIC added two in the sixth and the Tritons came back with two to stay within reach going into the seventh, but Cardinals reliever Audrey Seipert retired three straight to secure the win.

Nicole Manuel continues to swing a hot bat; she went 2-for-3 with a double.

Edmonds lost designated player Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna when she slid back into first after an out and cut her lower leg, which required several stitches. Edmonds (42-7) will place in the top-three regardless of how they fare today.

Watch Edmonds and Lower Columbia live >>

North Idaho box score | Updated Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Manuel's heroics lift Tritons to winners' bracket final

Nicole Manuel

SPOKANE -- For 6 1/2 innings it looked as though the Edmonds CC softball team would drop down into the losers' bracket at the NWAC championships, but some late inning heroics sparked a dramatic comeback and propelled the Tritons to the winners' bracket final. With two outs in the bottom of the 6th Seli Aholelei launched a solo homer that cut the Everett lead to 2-1. She went on to hold the Trojans at bay in the circle with a 1-2-3 top of the seventh. In the bottom half, Edmonds worked a walk and reached base via error, which set the stage for Nicole Manuel. With Brooke Keli'iho'omalu on first base, the sophomore outfielder laced a double into the left field corner. Keli'iho'omalu trucked all the way from first base to score the tying run. Two pitches later, with Chantelle Shimabukuro up to bat, Manuel broke from third base scoring on a wild pitch to lift the Tritons past Everett 3-2.

Edmonds moves on to face the top seed, and top-ranked North Idaho in the winners' bracket final at 5 p.m. Sunday. The contest will likely start later due to the elimination games being played ahead of them. Those games feature No. 4 Walla Walla, who is battling No. 6 Lower Columbia, and No. 2 Douglas who is matched up with No. 10 Everett. Of the eight teams still alive at the tournament Sunday morning, four were from the North Region. The Tritons have assured themselves at least a top-three finish, and will play on championship Monday.

Watch Edmonds and North Idaho live >>

Everett box score | Updated Bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Tritons slug their way past Highline, Lower Columbia

SPOKANE -- The Edmonds CC softball team had to wait a day to start the NWAC championships, but that didn't seem to affect the team's hitters. In two games on Saturday, the Tritons plated 33 runs on 35 hits to slug their way past Highline College 16-8, and Lower Columbia 17-10. Edmonds is one of four teams to remain in the winners’ bracket heading into Sunday. They'll face another familiar opponent in Everett at noon Sunday at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane.

EdCC Softball, 2018 NWAC North Region Champions

Sophomore two-way stud Seli Aholelei pitched all innings from the circle, collecting both wins. She helped her own cause at the plate too going 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBI in the Highline win, and 5-for-6 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI in Edmonds triumph over Lower Columbia. Both wins Saturday were characteristic of what the Tritons have done offensively all year -- they never go away, and capitalize on big innings.

EdCC scored 6 runs in the 3rd and another 6 in the 4th to pull away from Highline, ending the game after the 5th inning. After falling behind to Lower Columbia 1-0, Edmonds responded with a 9-spot in the the top of the 2nd to jump ahead. Their 4-run 7th inning sealed their win over the NWAC south region champs. Offensive stars for Edmonds on Saturday (two games) were:

• Chantelle Shimabukuro: 6-for-8, 5 runs scored, 8 RBI, HR
• Chasity Stalcup: 5-for-8, 6 runs scored, 5 RBI, 2 HR
• Tamia Hirano: 6-for-9, 6 RBI, 2B
• Kalei Cacho-Kekahuna, Kamalei Labasan, Nicole Manuel, and Taylor Shigeta also recorded multiple hits in at least one game. 

Edmonds (41-6) took all four games from Everett (30-16) this year, but the final scores did not reflect the tight contests that were played in each game. On April 10 at Everett, the Tritons prevailed with 7-2 and 6-2 victories. On May 12, both teams closed out the regular season at Edmonds with the Tritons topping the Trojans 7-1 and 3-2 in 9 innings. Watch the game live on the NWAC Sports Network.

With a win the Tritons would advance to the winners’ bracket final at 5 p.m. against the winner of (1) North Idaho vs. (4) Walla Walla. If the Tritons lose, they'll get the winner of (2) Douglas vs. (5) Bellevue at 2:30 p.m. and would need to win again at 5 p.m. to advance to Monday.

Highline box score | Lower Columbia box score | Link to Live Stats

NWAC Softball Championship website | Updated bracket | Triton Athletics Twitter

Women's Soccer Adds 12 to fold

LYNNWOOD -- New Edmonds CC women's soccer coach Adam Fenster and his coaching staff have hit the ground running, signing 12 new freshmen for next fall. There is a strong base of decorated local players with a mix of out of state flavor. "We are very excited about bringing in a new class of freshmen that should compete from the get go," said Fenster. "We have a lot of local talent, and a few from out of the area that should add to our team dynamic."

Women's Soccer Signing Class

Oshinaye Taylor - Marysville Getchell HS - MF/F - 1st Team Wesco 4A Forward

Kailee Carrizosa - Waianae HS (HI) - DF

Paige Peterson - Hillcrest HS (UT) - DF

KC Gonzalez - Sultan HS - DF

Lexia Ramirez - Lake Stevens HS - DF - 1st Team 4A Wesco Defender

Katy Ewoniuk - Hillcrest HS (UT) - MF - Honorable Mention 6A All-State 

Jocelyne Lopez - Hillcrest HS (UT) - DF - Honorable Mention 6A All-State

Jazmin Nunez - Edmonds Woodway HS - MF - 2nd Team 3A Wesco Midfielder

Julia Hart - Mountlake Terrace HS - F - 1st Team 4A Wesco Forward

Kailin Wiley - Kamiak HS - F - 1st Team 4A Wesco Forward

Mariah Davis - Meadowdale HS - F 

Sammy Miller-Foy - Holy Names HS - GK - transfer from Austin Peay State University

Erikah Ledesma

The team will return six players from last year, including keeper Erikah Ledesma (Yakima, Wash.) and midfielder Alex Modica (Shoreline, Wash.). Ledesma was one of the main goal keeper's last year and understands the league. Modica was the starting center midfielder. Fenster added, "It's always nice to have that base player." Midfielders Karla Olsan (Spanaway, Wash.) and Nataliya Datskiv (Lynnwood, Wash.), and defenders Victoria Hunter (Edmonds, Wash.) and Audriawna Andrade (Lynnwood, Wash.) round out the sophomores. "I'm really pleased about the sophomores who are coming back. They will continue to rebuild the culture of our program."

Fenster has finalized his coaching staff -- veteran Val Seid and keeper coach Aaron Johnson, who assisted the past two years, will help in the development of the women's soccer program. "Seid has a real connection to the local soccer community. He's been a coach in club soccer for many years, and has four-year coaching experience," said Fenster. "Aaron Johnson will take over as our keeper coach." Fall sports begins official practices on August 1. The first chance to see the Tritons will be a scrimmage at Northwest University on August 21.

Baseball, Softball Remain No. 1 and No. 2 in NWAC Coaches Polls

LYNNWOOD -- The third round of spring NWAC coaches polls were released on April 25 and Triton baseball and softball held on to their respective spots. Edmonds CC baseball remains the top-ranked team for the third consecutive poll dating back to March 28. Triton softball is still the No. 2 ranked team in NWAC softball, as they were the previous poll on April 11.

Infielders Yugo Hamakawa and Nic Sokol

Baseball, who has opened up a five game cushion in the North Region standings, has now passed the 30-win plateau with a 6-4 victory at Olympic College on Wednesday. They have three series (12 games) left to complete the regular season schedule. Region champions are awarded an automatic bid to the 8-team NWAC championship tournament in Longview, May 24-28. Second place finishers from each region host Super Regionals with third and fourth place teams from each region. Edmonds last claimed the North title in 2015.

Yakima Valley College (33-6) is the No. 2-ranked baseball team, followed by the other region leaders, Linn-Benton CC (28-2) and Lower Columbia College (20-6). Everett CC (22-11, 6-6 North) is the only other North team to crack the top 8. The Tritons host the Trojans in the annual T-cup series on May 4 and 5. 

Chasity Stalcup

Edmonds softball continues to move towards shattering the school record for wins, which they tied last season. The Tritons are 31-4, and with five league series remaining (10 games total) it seems inevitable that they will surpass the record 35 wins before the postseason hits. Edmonds (21-1 North) is currently atop the North standings with a two game lead over Douglas College (19-3 North). Softball has another matchup with third-ranked Douglas in Canada on May 8. That twinbill will likely determine the North Region title. The Tritons and Royals split games in Lynnwood on April 6.

North Idaho (33-3) is the top ranked team in the NWAC and received all nine first place votes. Bellevue landed at No. 6 in the poll. Triton softball swept the season series 4-0 against the Bulldogs. The NWAC softball championship tournament is seeded by the ranking percentage index (RPI). Douglas leads the RPI at No. 1; Edmonds is No. 3 and Bellevue is No. 5.

Baseball hosts Douglas College of Canada for a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Friday; softball welcomes Highline College to Triton Field for a noon doubleheader on Saturday.

The next NWAC polls are released on May 9.

April 25 NWAC Polls: Baseball | Softball

Triton Men's Hoops Readies for NWAC Championships

LYNNWOOD -- Edmonds CC opens the NWAC men’s basketball tournament in Everett on Saturday at noon inside the Walt Price Fitness Center at Everett CC. The Tritons (20-9, 8-6 North) earned the No. 3 seed from the North Region and face the No. 2 seed from the South, the Linn-Benton CC Roadrunners (20-9, 10-6 South).

Edmonds raced to a 9-1 record, then endured a tough stretch at the start of North Region play. Through six regional contests, the Tritons found themselves 2-4, with back-to-back losses on their home floor. But the Tritons fought through the adversity, notching grind-it-out wins to get back in the postseason.

Sixth-year head coach Kyle Gray reflected on the tough early start.

“We stuck together,” Gray said. “When things didn’t go our way these guys used their mental training. We had a great outlook even in the tough times. No one felt like we couldn’t get it done.”

And get it done they did – Edmonds was 6-2 over its last eight games, including four straight road triumphs.

Zach Walton

Much of the team’s success falls on the shoulders of soft-spoken, lead-by-example sophomore Zach Walton. After a redshirt season last year due to injury, Walton has come back to full strength.

Walton, the North freshman of the year in 2016, earned NWAC Player of the Week honors twice this year, and is one of the top scorers (20.7 ppg, seventh overall) and rebounders (9.3 rpg, sixth overall) in the conference. Although he has a humble nature, he plays with an inner fire that resonates throughout the entire group.

Walton and a strong supporting cast of sophomores has been the difference in lifting the Tritons to the postseason for the fifth time in the past six years.

“Some guys really stepped up,” Gray said. “Rotash (Mattu) has been big for us on the defensive end. His consistency has really helped us dial in the game plan.”

Point guard Raven Frazier has filled the role of vocal leader and floor general.

“I think he’s the most underrated player in the North. He brings it every day, every practice,” Gray said. “He’s everything we’ve asked and more.”

Frazier’s improved perimeter game has kept defenses honest and he’s also the Tritons distributor, dishing out 4.6 assists per game.

Loren LaCasse

Looking inside the first-round matchup, Edmonds is third in the NWAC in scoring, averaging 91 points per game, and is connecting on 46 percent of its shots. The Tritons are balanced offensively with Loren LaCasse (11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), and Jake Higgins (14.8 ppg) also averaging double digits. Higgins is a three-point specialist who is tough to stop when he’s hot. Tyler Morris provides a spark off the bench is and averaging 10 points per game.

In talking about Higgins and Morris, Coach Gray said, “Their shooting has been great, but they’ve learned to play with each other. Tyler has found his role and he has flourished.”

Another key cog for Edmonds is Devin Price who has battled injury but has contributed 7.6 ppg, and 5.1 rpg.

Linn-Benton is scoring nearly 87 points per game, and shoots 44 percent from the field this year. The Roadrunners are also balanced with Bailey Evans (13.8 ppg), Cooper Getsfrid (13.1 ppg), and Taylor Jensen (12.2 ppg, 10.1 rpg) leading the attack. The seventh-ranked Roadrunners have the seventh-most free-throw attempts in the NWAC and are third overall in free-throw percentage. Trent Van Cleave averages four assists per contest.

“They are a sound team and we need to be ready for a physical game,” Gray said. “We must take care of the basketball and play honest defense. We’ve got to share the basketball and spread it around.”

Edmonds sophomores Raven Frazier (Spanaway, Wash.) and Zach Walton (Morton, Wash.) received all-region recognition. Frazier was selected to the North All-Defensive Team and Walton collected his second North first-team award.

The Tritons have nine sophomores on the roster and they’ve all helped make it a special season.

“This team has been a pleasure to be around every day. They are just a fun group,” Gray said. “It has really been the difference for us. They’re very close.”

Triton men’s basketball won its only NWAC championship in 1985 under NWAC Hall of Fame coach Keith Kingsbury. In the Coach Gray era the Tritons have two North Region titles (2013, 2015) and have placed at the NWAC Championships three times. In 2013 and 2015 they lost in the championship game; in 2014 they placed sixth.

The format of the 16-team NWAC Championship Tournament is single elimination. The winner of Edmonds and Linn-Benton will play the Walla Walla-Centralia winner at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The final four will take place next weekend at Everett CC on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18. Single day general admission tickets are $17 for adults, $10 for students/seniors, $8 for ages 7-12, and free for kids under six years old. If you can’t make it in person, watch all NWAC Tournament games on the NWAC Sports Network.

Triton Women's Hoops Stuns No. 6 Everett

LYNNWOOD -- Edmonds CC women’s basketball came out on fire early against North region foe Everett CC on Saturday, and stunned the No. 6-ranked Trojans 73-70. It was a fitting end to the home portion of the schedule, playing in front of the largest crowd of the year. The Tritons jumped out to a 16-1 lead midway through the first quarter, and did not relinquish that lead until 3:46 was left in the fourth quarter when Everett took their first lead of the game, 64-63. 

Freshman Hailey Carlson

It looked as though the Trojans would complete the comeback – Edmonds was up by 28 points at one point – but the Tritons showed resilience, fighting back to close out the victory with some key stops and big shots. Caitlin Rojas nailed a trey that stopped the Trojans’ momentum, and put the Tritons back on top for good, 67-65. Ryan Terry made two free throws with 35 seconds left that extended the lead to five, and Zaria Smith’s two freebies iced the game with 8 seconds on the clock.

Smith has been the bona fide scorer for the team all season (averaging 17 ppg), and she again led the Tritons with 23 points in the win, but the emergence of Hailey Carlson has been a major reason for the squad’s recent surge. Carlson scored a season-high 22 points and added 8 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 assists. The return of Ryan Terry has also given the team a boost. In her third game back after injury, Terry chipped in 7 points and was 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.

Head coach Eric Ensign reflected on the win. “Our girls were focused from the beginning and did a great job of executing our game plan. Everett came back in the second half when we started to get tired, but we were able to keep our composure at the end of the game, which has been tough at times with such a young team,” he said. Ensign didn’t take much time to enjoy the win. Shortly after the upset, he was back on the recruiting trail headed to Tacoma to watch games.

Edmonds, who picked up their second league win of the year against Everett, has three more regional tilts – all on the road – to close out the 2018 campaign. This week the ladies are at Whatcom (6-16, 1-8 North) Wednesday, and Peninsula (5-16, 3-6 North) on Saturday. Edmonds has five wins this year, the most since the 2012-13 season. Watch Wednesday's game at Whatcom here.

Men's Basketball: Huge matchup looms at Whatcom Wednesday

LYNNWOOD -- The end of the NWAC North Region men’s basketball slate is near, and with it, a tight race for playoff berths has ensued. Edmonds gave Everett all they could handle on Saturday, but in the end couldn’t stop the Trojans from winning their 10^th straight game. Seaview Gym saw a highly contested game, and a large contingent on hand to support both teams as well as honor nine Triton sophomores who were playing in their final home game. 

Zach Walton netted a game-high 29 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and had 5 assists, and 2 steals. Loren LaCasse also registered a double double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and point guard Raven Frazier scored a season-high 20 points for the Tritons. Edmonds led for much of the contest, but fell 100-93. Walton’s 20.4 points per game is ninth-best in the NWAC, and his 9 rebounds per game are sixth-best in the league overall.

The Edmonds CC men’s hoops team now travels to Bellingham on Wednesday, February 21 to clash with Whatcom for what could be the game that decides the final spot to Everett for the NWAC Championship Tournament. Whatcom defeated the Tritons in an earlier face-off this season on January 24 in Seaview Gym. The Orcas pulled away late in the game, topping Edmonds 93-88. Both squads are 5-6 in the standings -- the winner of Wednesday’s game can take control of their own destiny in the final two games of the season. With a loss, Edmonds risks losing the head-to-head tiebreaker against the Orcas. 

Sophomore Rotash Mattu

Whatcom’s Trazil Lane and Alex Martin each notched 20-point games against Edmonds in the first meeting, but it may have been the bench production of Tevin Bayne (16 points) and Donavan Sellgren (12 points) that did the Tritons in. Edmonds won the battle of the boards 46-38 in the first matchup, but only shot 37.7% from the field compared to Whatcom’s 45.9%. The Orcas also took advantage of better free throw shooting in that contest even though the Tritons had seven more attempts.

It is no secret that sophomore Zach Walton makes the Tritons go, but the recent play of big man Rotash Mattu has given the team a boost on the defensive end of the floor. In Wednesday’s road victory over Shoreline, Mattu blocked 4 shots in addition to scoring 8 points and collecting 11 rebounds. Against Everett, Mattu grabbed 9 rebounds and swatted 6 more shots. Another key factor for success will ride on the sharp shooting of Jake Higgins and Tyler Morris. Both specialize in launching the three ball, and both will be counted on down the stretch to hit that shot when it is presented to them.

Whatcom is also coming off a tough Saturday loss after dropping a double overtime thriller to Olympic, 113-112. Alex Martin scored 39 points in a losing effort. The rest of the NWAC North schedule on Wednesday: Olympic at Everett; Peninsula at Skagit, and Shoreline at Bellevue. The Tritons Wednesday showdown at Whatcom tips off at 7:00 p.m. The game will be live-streamed here.