The Everett Elite Flag Football 14-under team practices Sunday morning at Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Washington on January 16, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Community roundup: Monroe alum Rybar named D-III All-American

Plus, Edmonds-Woodway graduate Ali Gaye decalares for the NFL draft, Jackson alum Jon Cook competes at the swim world championships and more.

Blake Rybar is an All-American.

The Monroe High School graduate, who’s now a junior linebacker on the Linfield University football team, was named a third-team NCAA Division III All-American by D3football.com.

Rybar, the captain of Linfield’s defense, appeared in 10 games for the Wildcats. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder finished with 67 tackles, including 13 for loss, as well as 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble. Rybar was named the Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Rybar helped Linfield finish the season 10-1 and reach the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Gaye foregoes bowl for NFL draft

Edmonds-Woodway High School graduate Ali Gaye, who just finished his fifth-year senior season with the LSU football team, opted out of the Tigers’ bowl game as he officially declared for the NFL draft.

Gaye, a defensive end, appeared in 13 games for LSU this season, including 12 starts. He finished with 36 tackles, including six for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two passes defensed. However, he chose not to participate in Monday’s 63-7 victory over Purdue in the Citrus Bowl.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Gaye is considered a mid-to-late-round draft candidate.

Johnston catches TD in national title game

Snohomish High School graduate Josh Johnston, who just completed his senior season with the Colorado School of Mines football team, caught a touchdown pass in the NCAA Division II national championship game.

Johnston, the Orediggers’ No. 2 receiving threat, caught six passes for 85 yards in the title game against Ferris State on Dec. 17 in McKinney, Texas. That included a leaping 14-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter as Colorado School of Mines lost 41-14.

Johnston finished the season with 7 catches for 1,373 yards and 13 touchdowns as the Orediggers went 13-3.

Cook competes at swim world championships

Jackson High School graduate Jon Cook, who graduated from Stanford University last spring, represented the Philippines at the FINA short course World Swimming Championships, which took place Dec. 13-18 in Melbourne, Australia. It was the second straight year Cook competed for the Philippines at the meet, which is competed in a 25-meter pool rather than the 50-meter Olympic-sized pool.

Cook competed in two events, placing 28th out of 35 competitors in the 200 breaststroke in a time of 2 minutes, 12.91 seconds, as well as 44th out of 61 competitors in the 100 breaststroke in a time of 1:00.87.

Alter earns GNAC weekly honor

Stanwood High School graduate Ashley Alter, now a senior wing on the Seattle Pacific University women’s basketball team, was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference’s Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for Dec. 26-Jan. 1.

Alter had 17 points and 14 rebounds in the Falcons’ 58-45 victory over Northwest Nazarene on Thursday, then followed up with 31 points and nine boards in a 70-63 victory over Central Washington on Saturday.

For the season Alter is averaging team-leading totals of 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals for an SPU team that’s 3-1 in conference play and 8-4 overall.

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

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), who will be coached by his third offensive line coach in three seasons in 2025, lines up in Seattle's 20-17 win over San Francisco at Levi's Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire shows they’re serious about offensive line

New offensive coordinator bringing in veterans with hopes of improving front.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Stanwood High School football coach Jeff Scoma talks with the referees during the 3A quarterfinal game against Odea on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former Stanwood football coach lands new Gig

Jeff Scoma, who resigned midseason in 2024, will coach Gig Harbor H.S. next season.

Mariners among biggest offseason losers

Juan Soto, LA Dodgers are among winners as baseball begins.

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 11

Tulalip Heritage finishes second in district tournament.

Vancouver Giants goalie Burke Hood makes a play for the puck against the Everett Silvertips, who lost 6-2 to the Giants at Langley Events Centre on Saturday, one day after clinching a WHL playoff spot. (Rob Wilton, Giants/Special to Black Press Media).
Tips Week in Review: Everett first in WHL to clinch playoff berth

The Silvertips defeated Kamloops on Friday to secure spot, but lost to Vancouver on Saturday

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak (left) and head coach Mike Macdonald (right) spoke to the media at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025 (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
New Seahawks OC excited to coach Geno Smith

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has “a lot of respect” for Seahawks QB.

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett (16) runs with after a catch against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Tyler Lockett’s future with Seahawks remains unclear

Seattle coach Mike Macdonald noncommittal 1 month before a possible decision point.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
O’Neil: The Seahawks will keep Geno Smith

The reasons for the Seahawks quarterback sticking around are simple and obvious.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.