PREP NOTEBOOK
Published 10:00 am Friday, February 22, 2008
Shorecrest High School senior Suzie Barnes has decided to continue her fastpitch softball career at the University of Oregon.
Barnes gave a verbal commitment to first-year Oregon coach Kathy Arendsen on Oct. 11 and plans to sign a letter of intent during the early signing period next month.
A three-time all-league infielder, Barnes was an integral part of Shorecrest’s 49-5 record the past two seasons. The Scots claimed their first 4A state championship in 2001 and returned to the title game last May.
As a junior, Barnes hit .330 from the leadoff spot with a .440 on-base percentage, a .377 slugging percentage and 12 stolen bases. Her 18A club team placed 17th out of 120 teams at ASA nationals this summer.
Barnes becomes Shorecrest’s second player to commit to a Pac-10 school this year. Last February, graduating pitcher Kristina Thorson accepted a scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley.
“It’s about the best conference you can play in,” said Barnes, who boasts a 3.7 GPA and is the starting goalkeeper for the Shorecrest girls soccer team.
Before making her final decision, Barnes solicited Thorson’s opinion.
“She said to do whatever feels right — but that it would be fun to play against (each other),” Barnes said.
The early signing period for most sports runs from Nov. 13-20.SCOTS HURT: Despite the loss of a starter and a key reserve, the Shorecrest girls soccer team remains tied with Meadowdale for first place. As of Oct. 23, both teams were 6-0-1 in league play.
Senior defender Beth Healy is out with a knee injury and underwent surgery Oct. 16. Junior forward Lindsey Bright tore her anterior cruciate ligament and will also miss the rest of the season. Healy, an all-league selection as a sophomore, was sidelined all of last season due to a torn ACL.KING’S SPUTTERS: A midseason losing spell spoiled the King’s volleyball team’s chances of returning to the playoffs. Going into an Oct. 21 showdown with Seattle Christian, the Knights had dropped their last three Chinook League matches.
While three Chinook League teams advanced to last year’s Class A Tri-district tournament, only the top two teams qualify this season.
With a 3-4 league record, the Knights started the week in fourth place. They close the regular season by hosting Auburn Adventist (Oct. 28) and Bellevue Christian (Oct. 31).BAINTER HONORED: Former Shorewood football coach and current Bothell head coach Tom Bainter was named the Seattle Seahawks High School Coach of the Week by the Washington State Coaches Association Oct. 17.
