Joseph Skoog returned to his home state in All-American fashion.
The Jackson High School graduate, now a junior on the Bethel University (Tennessee) men’s cross country team, finished as the national runner-up at the NAIA National Cross Country Championships held last Friday in Vancouver, Washington.
Skoog, a transfer from Grand Canyon University, completed the 8-kilometer race in a time of 24 minutes, 40.9 seconds. That was nine seconds behind the winner, Jackson Wilson of Rocky Mountain College.
“Joseph ran his heart out and led the championship for a good portion of the race,” Bethel coach Brandon Kilburn said on Bethel’s website. “He has been a pleasure to coach, and it has been an outstanding season for him. He topped the season off with his best performance of the year.”
Skoog’s effort earned him a spot on the NAIA All-American team.
Roe records another All-American run
Lake Stevens High School graduate Taylor Roe, now a graduate student on the Oklahoma State University women’s cross country and track teams, earned her eighth All-American honor by finishing 34th at the NCAA Division I Women’s Cross Country Championships held Saturday in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Roe finished the 6-kilometer race in a time of 20 minutes, 4.7 seconds. Florida’s Parker Valby won in a time of 18:55.2. The top 40 earned All-American status. Roe helped the Cowgirls finish third in the team standings, which was the best placing in school history.
King’s High School graduate and Woodway native Naomi Smith, now a junior at Washington, finished 189th in a time of 21:23. The Huskies finished eighth as a team.
Chism named first-team All-Big Sky in football
Monroe High School graduate Efton Chism III, now a junior wide receiver on the Eastern Washington University football team, was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference.
Chism was a unanimous selection after catching 84 passes for 934 yards and eight touchdowns. Chism ranked second in the Big Sky Conference and third in FCS in receptions per game at 7.6.
This was Chism’s third time being named All-Big Sky. He was a third-team selection in both 2021 and 2022. He is third on Eastern’s career receptions list with 226 and 12th in career receiving yards with 2,541.
Elliano named North Region women’s soccer MVP
Lake Stevens High School graduate Kylie Elliano, now a sophomore defender on the Skagit Valley College women’s soccer team, was named the Northwest Athletic Conference’s North Region Most Valuable Player. Elliano had six goals and two assists in 14 games as Skagit Valley went 12-2-2 and reached the quarterfinals of the NWAC tournament.
Five other Skagit Valley players who are Snohomish County natives were honored as North Region All-Stars. First-year forward Megan Hurley (Monroe High School graduate) and first-year midfielder Carly Bartlow (Arlington) were on the first team, while sophomore forward Maya Kembel (Lynnwood), sophomore defender Adrien Dayton (Monroe) and sophomore forward Olivia Paduano (Lake Stevens) were honorable mentions.
Everett Community College sophomore forward Paige Runcorn and sophomore midfielder Emily Morandi were named the the first team. They were joined by honorable mentions in sophomore forward Emily Marriott (Glacier Peak), first-year forward Alexis Bell (Marysville Pilchuck) and first-year goalkeeper Ruby Wacker (Everett).
Representing Edmonds College, first-year midfielder Avery Libed was named to the first team, while first-year defender Jaiden Irons (Meadowdale), first-year forward Alysah Forde-Nihipali and first-year midfielder Genavieve Stettler were named honorable mention.
EdC’s Pugh named North Region volleyball MVP
Edmonds College’s Camilla Pugh was named the Northwest Athletic Conference’s North Division Most Valuable Player in volleyball.
Pugh, a sophomore middle blocker from Highland, Utah, averaged 1.94 kills and 0.67 blocks per set as the Tritons finished 23-13 and advanced to regionals.
Three other Tritons were honored as All-North Region. Sophomore outside hitter Hailey Dreier was named to the first team, sophomore libero Cambria Allen was named to the second team and first-year setter Kiara Milar was named to the third team.
Everett also had three players named All-North Region. Sophomore libero Camille Clarke was named to the first team, sophomore outside hitter Malia Shepherd (Arlington High School graduate) was named to the second team, and sophomore setter Katie Serles was named to the third team.
Other local products named All-North Region were Bellevue first-year outside hitter Jessi Mahler (Monroe), who was named to the second team, and Whatcom first-year outside hitter Carly Rupp (Kamiak), who was named to the third team.
Darboe, Whitaker lead EvCC men’s soccer All-Stars
Five members of the Everett Community College men’s soccer team that reached the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinals were named NWAC North Region All-Stars.
Sophomore forward Muhammed Darboe (Mariner High School graduate) and freshman midfielder Cristiano Whitaker were named to the first team, while sophomore goalkeeper Avary Olson (Meadowdale), freshman midfielder Aldo Calles and freshman defender Dilon Spahia were honorable mentions.
For Edmonds College, freshman defender Enzo Buenaventura was named to the first team, while sophomore goalkeeper Devun Collins and sophomore forward Seth Phillips were honorable mentions.
The other Snohomish County native who was named a North Region All-Star honorable mention was Shoreline freshman midfielder Jorge Navarrete (Sultan).
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.
