Former E-W coach enters wrestling Hall of Fame

By JOHN McDONALD

Prep Editor

Former Edmonds-Woodway wrestling coach Mike Hess, who died last May, is one of three coaches who will be inducted into the Washington Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame during its annual banquet Saturday at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma.

Joining Hess as inductees are Ferndale coach Lee Andersen and former Newport and University of Washington coach Darren Sipe.

Tom Tipton of Puyallup will receive the Joe Babbitt Contributors Award.

Hess, who wrestled at Warden High School and the University of Washington, coached 34 years in the Edmonds District. He was the head coach at Meadowdale from 1966-68, Edmonds from 1968-90 and Edmonds-Woodway from 1990 until his death. Hess’ teams won numerous district and regional championships as well as an academic state championship. He was named Washington coach of the year in 1988.

A former president of the WSWCA, Hess later served as the organization’s cultural exchange director. He was responsible for bringing the first Russian high school team to Washington state.

In addition to his teaching and coaching career, Hess served as a referee for national and international competitions and was a former national official of the year.

He was also director of competition for wrestling at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle and the staging director for freestyle wrestling at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.

  • Close shave: The Edmonds-Woodway boys and girls cross country teams had a little bet going into Thursday’s Edmonds District meet. If they lost their competition, the boys would shave their legs. If the girls didn’t win, they wouldn’t be able to shave their legs until the Nov. 4 state meet. Well, the boys won. But things got hairy for the girls, who lost to Mountlake Terrace by three points.

  • Heisman hopefuls: Nominees have been announced for the annual Wendy’s High School Heisman Program. Each year high school principals are asked to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for their athletic and academic accomplishments as well as their community service. Twelve finalist are selected from among the 50 state finalists and invited to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony at the New York Athletic Club, where the national winners are announced. Local nominees for Washington State include Sarah Hardee and Sherman Williamson of Bothell, Kevin Jacobs and Danae Kaemingk of Shoreline Christian, Yashmeen Knox of Coupeville, Joe Osmundson and Katie Struiksma of Arlington, Christina Pepin of Everett and Carl Schillhammer of Darrington.
    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Sports

    Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
    Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs in districts

    The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district clash.

    Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

    Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

    Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

    Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

    Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

    Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

    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

    Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
    Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

    An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

    Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
    Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

    Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

    Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
    Seahawks hire run game coach

    Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

    Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

    Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

    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.

    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.