Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Prep Notebook: Nick Deller is coming to a TV near you

Mike Cane
Herald Writer

 This month, Nick Deller, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School, has appeared in a 30-second commercial on FSN that highlights his achievements in sports, school and the community. Deller, an All-Wesco South Second Team linebacker for the Hawks football team in 2008, received on Jan. 30 the Farmers 2008-2009 Student Athlete Citizen Award.

One perk of the honor -- sponsored by Farmers Insurance and FSN -- is appearing in the commercial, which will air at least through the end of the month. The commercial is scheduled to air on FSN near halftime of Thursday's Oregon State University versus University of Washington men's basketball game.

Nominated for the award by Mountlake Terrace head football coach Tony Umayam, Deller led the Hawks in tackles, tackle assists and interceptions this past fall. Deller is an Eagle Scout who has a 3.95 grade-point average and has done a variety of community service, including cleaning up parks and volunteering at nursing homes.

This is the latest in an array of honors for Deller. In December he won a $1,000 scholarship at the annual Snohomish County Football Officials Hall of Fame banquet in Everett.

State-title caliber team?
In a poll posted last week on Heraldnet.com, readers picked the local team they think has the best chance to win a state title. In a close vote, the winner was the unbeaten Archbishop Murphy girls basketball team, which is No. 2 in the Class 2A Associated Press rankings. Archbishop Murphy received 33 percent of votes in the reader poll. The Lake Stevens wrestling team got 30 percent; Snohomish girls basketball got 24 percent.

Friends off the mat
After Sean Anderson of Lake Stevens and Colton Kusilek of Kamiak wrestled for the 125-pound championship Saturday at the Class 4A District 1 wrestling tournament, the senior grapplers grinned and exchanged a hearty handshake. Anderson beat Kusilek in a 5-2 decision. The Wesco standouts are friends who have known each other for years, and their moms both work for Intermec in Everett.

Hanchett earns award trifecta
Mike Hanchett, Edmonds-Woodway's head wrestling coach, completed an impressive award collection Saturday when he was named 4A District 1 head coach of the year, determined by a poll of area coaches. Hanchett, who will retire from coaching after this season, previously had received the district middle-school and assistant coach of the year awards.

"It's very flattering," Hanchett said. "It comes from an incredible body of coaches. That's a huge compliment. Over the years it's been such as great group of people to work with."

Granite Falls' Murphy sets record
Audrey Murphy of the Granite Falls girls basketball team set the program record last week for career rebounds. Murphy, a 5-foot-11 senior center, has 744 rebounds. She surpassed Megan Quarterman's old record of 730, Granite Falls head coach Mark Neuman said.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA