Community roundup: Everett youth golfer headed to The Masters

Max Soterakopoulos is headed to The Masters.

The youth golfer from Everett will be going to Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters, after winning his division of the Regional Qualifier for Drive, Chip and Putt, held last Saturday at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place.

Soterakopoulos placed first in the Boys 7-9 division with 111 points, which was six more than second-placed Adam Kao of Camas. Soterakopoulos scored 29 points in the Drive section, which was second among the 12 qualifiers; scored a competition-leading 45 in the Chip section; then scored 37 (seventh) in the Putt section.

Only the winners of the 10 Regional Qualifiers advanced to the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals, which take place April 7, the weekend before The Masters.

Mill Creek CC’s Patrick honored by LPGA

Val Patrick, the director of instruction at Mill Creek Country Club, was named the Coach of the Year by the LPGA Professionals Western Section for her efforts at championing women’s golf in the region.

Patrick was honored for her involvement in Operation 36, which is an international organization dedicated to aiding the development of beginner golfers. She also serves as a coach for Girls Golf LPGA-USGA, The First Tee of Greater Seattle and the Shorewood High School girls team.

By being named the Western Section Coach of the Year, Patrick is eligible for consideration for the national award.

Luton returns to NFL’s Saints

Marysville Pilchuck High School graduate Jake Luton, now an NFL quarterback, was signed by the New Orleans Saints to their 53-man roster.

Luton, in his fourth season, had been on the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad. He was activated for Carolina’s 37-27 loss to the Seattle Seahawks’ on Sunday at Lumen Field because starter Bryce Young was out with an ankle injury.

The Saints signed Luton, who spent last season with New Orleans, because starter Derek Carr is nursing a shoulder injury and rookie Jake Haener is serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substance policy.

Gordon lands on IR

Archbishop Murphy High School graduate Kyler Gordon, now the starting nickel back for the NFL’s Chicago Bears, has landed on injured reserve after suffering a broken hand.

Gordon suffered the injury in Chicago’s season-opening 38-20 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 10. He subsequently underwent surgery and was placed on IR, meaning he’s required to miss a minimum of four games.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said he was hoping Gordon would only have to sit out the minimum four games, which would make Gordon available to play in Chicago’s game on Oct. 15 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Gaskin back to Vikings’ practice squad

Lynnwood native Myles Gaskin, now an NFL running back, has returned to the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad.

Gaskin, a graduate of O’Dea High School, spent the previous two weeks on the Vikings’ 53-man roster after being signed off the team’s practice squad. However, Gaskin played just two snaps on special teams the past two weeks, and he was waived Tuesday. Gaskin cleared waivers and Minnesota re-signed the five-year veteran to its practice squad.

EvCC’s Clarke honored for third straight week

Everett Community College volleyball player Camille Clarke has grabbed a stranglehold of the Northwest Athletic Conference’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week award, winning it for the third straight time as she was honored for Sept. 11-17.

The sophomore libero from North Salt Lake, Utah, recorded another 111 digs across six matches as the Trojans went 4-2. Prior to Wednesday’s matches Clarke had 416 digs, which was 69 more than any other player in NWAC.

Clarke’s efforts have Everett sitting at 2-0 in North Region play and 17-4-1 overall.

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