Cameron Van Til

Arlington's Dustin Baxter works to pin Stanwood's Cameron O'Neill in the 145lb weight class at Stanwood High School Thursday evening in Stanwood, Washington on January 6, 2022. The Spartans defeated the Eagles 50-21.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Prep wrestling: Local wrestlers and teams to watch this season

A look at some of the area’s top wrestlers and teams to watch on the mat this winter.

 

Lake Stevens senior outside hitter Bella Christensen is The Herald’s Volleyball Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022 Volleyball Player of the Year: Bella Christensen

The hard-hitting Air Force commit compiled a stellar senior season and starred in Lake Stevens’ run to a 2nd-place state trophy.

 

Snohomish senior Sara Rodgers is The Herald���s 2022 Girls Soccer Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022 Girls Soccer Player of the Year: Sara Rodgers

The Idaho-bound senior topped 30 goals for the 2nd consecutive season and led Snohomish back to the 3A state tournament.

 

Lake Stevens senior Jayden Limar is the Herald’s 2022 Football Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022 Football Player of the Year: Jayden Limar

The Oregon-bound running back piled up 2,331 yards and 40 total TDs while leading Lake Stevens to its 1st-ever state title.

Lake Stevens senior Jayden Limar is the Herald’s 2022 Football Player of the Year. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (left) signals after scoring a touchdown during a state playoff game against Graham-Kapowsin on Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)

Lake Stevens star running back Limar flips commitment, signs with Oregon

Also, a trio of Glacier Peak standouts sign with FBS programs on the opening day of college football’s early signing period.

Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (left) signals after scoring a touchdown during a state playoff game against Graham-Kapowsin on Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School. (John Gardner / Pro Action Image)
Lake Stevens High School head football coach Tom Tri hoists his team’s championship trophy during a community parade and celebration Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Van Til: Lake Stevens’ title breakthrough was ‘years in the making’

In completing their ascent to the state football mountaintop, the Vikings added the final missing piece to their decorated legacy.

Lake Stevens High School head football coach Tom Tri hoists his team’s championship trophy during a community parade and celebration Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Cole Becker celebrates a touchdown with teammates after putting his team up against Kennedy Catholic in the WIAA 4A State Football Championship game Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

State champs!: Lake Stevens captures 1st-ever 4A football title

The Vikings edge Kennedy Catholic 24-22 in the state title game to complete the elusive final step in their program’s ascent.

Lake Stevens’ Cole Becker celebrates a touchdown with teammates after putting his team up against Kennedy Catholic in the WIAA 4A State Football Championship game Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, at Mount Tahoma Stadium in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Left: Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (Olivia Vanni/The Herald). Right: Kennedy Catholic wide receiver Mason Hayes (Pete Caster/The News Tribune).

4A state title game preview: Lake Stevens vs. Kennedy Catholic

The Vikings are on the doorstep of their 1st state crown. Get ready for the title game with an in-depth look at both teams.

Left: Lake Stevens running back Jayden Limar (Olivia Vanni/The Herald). Right: Kennedy Catholic wide receiver Mason Hayes (Pete Caster/The News Tribune).
A gang of Lake Stevens Vikings take down the ball carrier during the 4A semifinal against Graham-Kapowsin on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Versatile defense plays key role in Lake Stevens’ run to title game

The Vikings’ flexible defense has slowed down a variety of offenses en route to another 4A state championship game trip.

A gang of Lake Stevens Vikings take down the ball carrier during the 4A semifinal against Graham-Kapowsin on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar beats the defense for a 55-yard touchdown run during the 4A semifinal against Graham-Kapowsin on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens tops Graham-Kapowsin to reach state title game

Jayden Limar accounts for 6 TDs as the Vikings beat the defending champs 42-28 and avenge last year’s title game loss.

Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar beats the defense for a 55-yard touchdown run during the 4A semifinal against Graham-Kapowsin on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar runs the ball during the game against Eastlake on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘He’s been our motor’: Star tailback Limar powers Lake Stevens’ title quest

Notre Dame commit Jayden Limar has showcased his immense talent while leading the Vikings back to the 4A state semifinals.

Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar runs the ball during the game against Eastlake on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Cole Becker weaves through the secondary on a long reception against Gonzaga Prep on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

4A state semifinal preview: Lake Stevens vs. Graham-Kapowsin

The Vikings are set to face defending champion Graham-Kapowsin in a rematch of last year’s state title game.

Lake Stevens’ Cole Becker weaves through the secondary on a long reception against Gonzaga Prep on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Kamiak’s Claire Smith prepares to start the 100 yard backstroke final during the WIAA 4A Girls State Swim & Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

4A state swim and dive: Wesco divers shine; Jackson, Kamiak place top-8

Wesco accounts for 4 of the 8 diving state medalists, while Jackson and Kamiak each earn top-8 team finishes.

Kamiak’s Claire Smith prepares to start the 100 yard backstroke final during the WIAA 4A Girls State Swim & Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish junior Mary Clarke swims in the 100 yard freestyle final during the WIAA 3A Girls State Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

3A state swim and dive: Snohomish standout claims 2 more top-2 medals

Snohomish junior Mary Clarke places 2nd in both freestyle sprints, including another oh-so-close finish in the 100 freestyle.

Snohomish junior Mary Clarke swims in the 100 yard freestyle final during the WIAA 3A Girls State Swim and Dive Championships on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar takes a carry up the sideline for a long gain against Gonzaga Prep on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens rolls past Gonzaga Prep, advances to state semis

Jayden Limar piles up 284 total yards and 5 TDs as the Vikings rout the Bullpups in a 4A state quarterfinal rematch.

Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar takes a carry up the sideline for a long gain against Gonzaga Prep on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar runs the ball during the game against Eastlake on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

4A state quarterfinal preview: Lake Stevens vs. Gonzaga Prep

The Vikings continue their title quest with a state quarterfinal rematch against Gonzaga Prep.

Lake Stevens’ Jayden Limar runs the ball during the game against Eastlake on Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Oak Harbor’s Carly VanGiesen and Shorecrest’s Tayvi Khann both jump for a head ball during game on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Shorecrest girls soccer rides strong defense into 3A state final four

The Scots take a 450-minute shutout streak into Friday’s state semifinal against unbeaten Bellevue.

Oak Harbor’s Carly VanGiesen and Shorecrest’s Tayvi Khann both jump for a head ball during game on Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens’ Cassidy Bolong-Banks tris to take a reception for a first down during a playoff game against North Creek on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens beats North Creek, advances to 4A state quarterfinals

Jayden Limar scores 4 TDs and the Vikings win 42-27 to reach the state quarters for the 6th time in the past 7 postseasons.

Lake Stevens’ Cassidy Bolong-Banks tris to take a reception for a first down during a playoff game against North Creek on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, at Lake Stevens High School in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Meadowdale junior Lataya Mitchell (10) celebrates with her team after the Mavericks' win over Monroe in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)

Meadowdale volleyball sweeps Monroe for 1st state berth since 2013

The Mavericks avenge an early-season loss and dominate the Bearcats in the 3A District 1 semifinals.

Meadowdale junior Lataya Mitchell (10) celebrates with her team after the Mavericks' win over Monroe in a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)
Snohomish senior Ayla Grant celebrates after winning a point against Ferndale during a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)

Snohomish volleyball outlasts Ferndale, clinches 5th consecutive state berth

The Panthers finally get past their district nemesis with a tense 5-set win in the 3A District 1 semifinals.

Snohomish senior Ayla Grant celebrates after winning a point against Ferndale during a 3A District 1 Tournament semifinal match on Nov. 10, 2022, at Marysville Pilchuck High School. (Katie Webber / For The Herald)