The senior team captain swam state-meet qualifying times in all four of her individual races last week. She also swam on four relay teams, all of which turned in state-qualifying times.
Her coach, Chris Erickson, was especially impressed with the time of 2 minutes, 11 seconds Best swam in the individual medley.
“She didn’t do that until the end of the season last year,” Erickson said.
Best was a finalist in the medley and the breaststroke at last year’s state meet and Erickson said she worked hard during the summer to get stronger and faster.
Other top girls swimming performers: Rikka Brunner, Kamiak; Jackie Benson, Shorewood; Emily Rogers, Jackson; Katie Atkinson, Meadowdale; Lisa Keane, Meadowdale; Brittney Thompson, Cascade; Missy McIntyre, Oak Harbor.
The senior quarterback completed 13 of 14 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-7 victory over Lake Washington.
Gardiner has had some phenomenal completion percentages this season. He was 15-for-17 in his first game, 17-for-24 in his second and 16-for-18 in his third. Overall, he’s 61-for-73 (84 percent). He has thrown 14 touchdown passes and just one interception.
“Last year he was our backup and ran the scout team,” said Bothell coach Tom Bainter, whose team is 4-0. “He dedicated himself during the offseason to working hard to be a better quarterback.
“He has a knack for putting the ball where it needs to go.”
An NFL player putting up the kind of numbers Gardiner has would have a quarterback rating of 152.63.
Bainter said his receivers and offensive line have come together this year to complement Gardiner’s effectiveness.
Other top football performers: Johnie Kirton, Jackson; Justin Lucero, Meadowdale; Gary Rogers, Kamiak; Pat Job, Snohomish; Brenton Bodewig, Arlington; Damino Stewart, Marysville-Pilchuck; Ken Kam, Marysville-Pilchuck; J.P. Oliver, Cascade; Casey Mitchell, Coupeville; Travis McGee, Bothell; Jevon Butler, Archbishop Murphy; Lee Smith, Everett; Micael Lodell, South Whidbey.
Girls soccer player of the week: Kat Taylor, Archbishop Murphy.
Other top girls soccer performers: Heather Adams, Lakewood; Lindsey Kihm, Snohomish; Nicole Kopta, Shorewood.
Boys soccer player of the week: Andy Hewitt, Archbishop Murphy.
Volleyball player of the week: Micaela Parker, Marysville-Pilchuck.
Other top volleyball performers: Morgan Zamora, Marysville-Pilchuck; Kristin McKeown, Arlington; Lindi Tellefson, Meadowdale; Katelin Parks, Stanwood; Abby Lee, Kamiak; Karis Grounds, Shorecrest; Courtney Schneider, Snohomish.
Boys cross country athlete of the week: Michael Stewart, Edmonds-Woodway.
Other top boys cross country performers: Kevin Klein, Shorewood; Chris Wichers, Oak Harbor; Daniel Stabbert, Meadowdale; Neil Hollo, Granite Falls; Jeff Helmer, Jackson.
Girls cross country athlete of the week: Amanda Stopa, Snohomish.
Other top girls cross country performers: Lucy Miller, Snohomish; Amber Nickelson, Lake Stevens; Jessica Brundige, Oak Harbor; Lisa Anderberg, Kamiak; Natalya Boyko, Lynnwood; Kari Sandoval, Archbishop Murphy.
Boys tennis players of the week: Kong Tran and Kevin Murray, Mariner.
Other top boys tennis performers: Shayne Pierce, Marysville-Pilchuck; Sam Zipper, Edmonds-Woodway; Carlo Gailo and Krenil Dalire, Oak Harbor; Edwin Lee, Kamiak.
John McDonald, Prep Editor
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