Community roundup: Everett youngsters win free-throw championships

Plus, two locals earn college honors, Everett’s AFL team is holding its final tryouts, and more.

(From left to right) Ellie Matisin, Helaina Soterakopoulos and Max Soterakopoulos pose with their championships trophies after winning their divisions of the Washington State Elks Association Hoop Shoot free-throw competition. (Photo courtesy of Jayne Soterakopoulos)

(From left to right) Ellie Matisin, Helaina Soterakopoulos and Max Soterakopoulos pose with their championships trophies after winning their divisions of the Washington State Elks Association Hoop Shoot free-throw competition. (Photo courtesy of Jayne Soterakopoulos)

Three youngsters from Everett showed they can be clutch from the free-throw line.

Helaina Soterakopoulos, Ellie Matisin and Max Soterakopoulos each won their division at the Washington State Elks Association Hoop Shoot free-throw competition, which took place Feb. 10 at Saint Martin’s University in Olympia.

Helena Soterakopoulos competed in the girls ages 10-11 division, sinking 19 of 25 free throws to claim the championship.

Matisin competed in the girls ages 8-9 division. She made 16 of 25, which tied her for first, then sank 3 of 5 in the tiebreaker to claim the title.

Max Soterakopoulos competed in the boys ages 8-9 division. He made 18 of 25 and also had to go to a tiebreaker, where he went a perfect 5-for-5 to win the title.

The Everett trio advanced to regionals, which take place March 16 at Kamiakin High School in Kennewick, where they’ll take on champions from Alaska, Idaho and Oregon. Winners at regionals qualify for nationals, which take place mid-April in Chicago.

Kaysner named GNAC Player of the Week

Snohomish High School graduate Laney Kaysner, now a senior shortstop on the Central Washington University softball team, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Softball Player of the Week for Feb. 12-18.

In a doubleheader split against Eastern Oregon, Kaysner reached base in four of her eight plate appearances, drove in three runs, stole two bases, and delivered a big two-out bases-clearing triple in a 6-0 victory.

For the season Kaysner is batting .213 in 14 games for the Wildcats, who are 2-12.

Potts picks up another GNAC honor

Glacier Peak High School graduate Katie Potts, now a junior on the Western Washington University women’s track and field team, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Women’s Field Athlete of the Week for Feb. 19-25. It was her third career GNAC Athlete of the Week honor.

Potts, competing mostly against NCAA Division I athletes, hurled the shot 42 feet, 9 inches at the indoor Ken Shannon Last Chance Meet on Saturday in Seattle. The mark was good for 10th overall and was the second-best mark by an NCAA Division II athlete in the field.

Wolfpack holding final tryouts

The Washington Wolfpack indoor football team is holding its final tryouts for its upcoming inaugural season on March 9 at the Snohomish Soccer Dome. The tryouts take place at 12:30-3 p.m. The fee is $75 in advance and $100 on the day of the event. To register email Miguel Morga at mmorga@washingtonwolfpack.com.

Snohomish Sky accepted into UPSL

The Snohomish Sky FC semipro men’s soccer team has been accepted into the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) for the upcoming 2024 season. The Sky will compete in ther Premier Division, which is the top tier of the UPSL. The team will be coached by Walt Antoniuk with Pat Henderson as assistant coach, Kyle Kelly as goalkeeper coach and Kieren Raney as collegiate recruiter.

This is the Sky’s first season with a men’s outdoor team. The season begins April 6.

Hall of Fame nominations closing Saturday

Nominations for this year’s Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame induction class close Saturday. Candidates must have been a Snohomish County resident prior to gaining recognition and must have lived in the county for a minimum of five years. Athletes and teams are eligible for consideration five years after their final competition, coaches are eligible for consideration three years after their last coaching date, and contributors need not be retired. Nomination forms are available on the Snohomish County Sports Commission website.

If you have an item for the community sports roundup, email Nick Patterson at npatterson@heraldnet.com.

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