Local all-star baseball team wins state

  • Herald staff
  • Monday, July 17, 2006 9:00pm
  • Sports

The District I All-Star baseball team won the Big League state championship Sunday with an 11-2 win over West Seattle in Olalla.

The victory gave the District I squad – which includes the Mill Creek, Snohomish, South Everett and Pacific Little League organizations – a two-game sweep of the best-of-three championship series.

John O’Connell, Blake Vigoren and Andy Bennett each homered in the championship game. Vigoren hit a grand slam to highlight a five-run fourth inning that blew open a close contest. Pitcher Kyle Daniels earned the win.

The rest of the roster includes Michael Ames, Matt Bonneywell, Nate Cosman, Dan Delay, Kyle Eisen, Willy Lemmon, Greg Michaelson, Darryl Marlo, Joe O’Connell Greg Olson and Tyler Young.

The team is managed by Don Eisen. Coaches are Zac Cainglit and Brian O’Connell.

The District I team advances to the regional tournament, which opens Thursday in Olalla.

Sky Valley claims title: The Monroe-based Sky Valley Juniors All-Stars baseball team (ages 13-14) defeated Marysville National 3-2 on July 9 to capture the District I tournament championship.

Sky Valley, which completed district play with a 5-0 record, advanced to this week’s state tournament in Kirkland.

The roster includes Tyler Gardea, Tyler Layson, Anthony DiMaggio, Zach Beebe, Cody Elledge, Tanner Rutz, Nate Accetturo, Jacob Reppert, Damian Dickgieser, Douglas Bennett, Hunter Wexler, Weston Wyckoff, Brandon Rozsnyai and Cassey Neisinger.

The team is managed by Rick Wyckoff and coached by Tom Layson and Duane Rozsnyai.

Pacific League All-Stars win district crown: The Pacific Little League 11-year-old All-Star baseball team won the District I Tournament on July 11 in Mill Creek.

Pacific posted a 5-0 record in the tournament, including a win over Mill Creek in the championship game. Pacific advances to the state tournament, which opens Sunday in Shoreline.

Members of the Pacific team are Kyle Steg, Matt Hirsch, Ryan Budnick, Max Bennett, Ethan Coffey, J.J. Peterson, Alex Hull, Christopher Jenkins, Riley Bykonen, Conor O’Neill, Chris Tanner, Tyler McGuire and Brad Rice.

The manager is Will Budnick. Coaches are Bill Hull and Tim Jenkins.

Track and Field

Locals headed to nationals: Five athletes from Snohomish County qualified for the USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Championships with their performances June 8-9 in Salem, Ore.

The top three placers in each event advanced to the national meet, scheduled for July 26-30 in Baltimore.

Amy Eloise Neale, 10, of Snohomish, competed in the midget division and qualified for nationals in three events. She won the 1,500-meter run in 5 minutes, 1.74 seconds, placed second in the 800 (2:30.16) and finished second in the 3,000 (11:12.71)

Three other members of the Snohomish Track Club also earned trips to nationals: Valan Calvo (first in the young women’s pole vault, 11 feet, 5.75 inches), Alicia Fliger (third in the young women’s hammer throw, 135-10) and Michael Johnson (third in the young men’s hammer throw, 153-7, and third in the discus, 138-9).

Joining that group in Baltimore will be Kjirsten Jensen of Arlington. She qualified by placing second in her division in the shot put (34-10.5) and third in the discus (110-8.5).

Gymnastics

Gymnastics Plus claims two gold medals: Athletes from Gymnastics Plus in Snohomish brought home five medals – including two golds – from the National Tumbling and Trampoline Championships held July 7-14 in Schaumberg, Ill.

The gold medals went to Meridith Hackel, 18, of Snohomish, who placed first in the Level 9 double mini trampoline with a score of 60.30, and Rhiannon Ballard, 15, of Snohomish, who captured first place in the Level 7 trampoline with a score of 24.80.

It marked the fourth straight year Gymnastics Plus has won at least one gold medal at nationals, club officials said

Earning silver medals were Kerry Hansen, 15, of Snohomish (Level 7 trampoline) and Jake Ballard, 13, of Snohomish (Level 5 trampoline).

Brianna Larsen, 12, of Mukilteo, captured a bronze medal in Level 6 tumbling.

More than 1,600 competitors took part in the national championships, including six teams from the state of Washington, Gymnastics Plus officials said.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Storm suffocates Valkyries late to knock off rivals

The Storm allowed just six points in the final six minutes to defeat Golden State 67-58.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a news conference following a meeting of the NBA's board of governors at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Chase Stevens / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
NBA to conduct ‘in-depth analysis’ of possible expansion

The owners do not have timetable for potential return of Sonics

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori (3) practices at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton on May 20, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks draft pick at the center of NFL contract intrigue

Nick Emmanwori is poised to be dynamic. Right away. He’s on his… Continue reading

Kyle Schwarber (12) of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting three home runs in the swing-off to decide the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/TNS)
MLB All-Star Game features a first-of-its-kind finish

Technically, by the time the clock hit midnight here in… Continue reading

Cal Raleigh wins 2025 MLB Home Run Derby

Cal Raleigh called his shot years ago. In a childhood video spreading… Continue reading

Silvertips forward Shea Busch participates in the Florida Panthers development camp at Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 1, 2025. Florida selected Busch in the fourth round of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft on June 28. (Photo courtesy Shea Busch)
Shea Busch experiences whirlwind NHL Draft week

The Florida Panthers selected the Silvertips forward in the fourth round on June 28.

Portland Fire unveil name, branding as WNBA’s 15th team

A flame is being reignited for Portland’s new WNBA franchise. On Tuesday,… Continue reading

Late Mystics surge dooms Storm as stars struggle

Seattle dropped to 13-9 after shooting 36.2% from the field.

Jorge Polanco (7), right, of the Seattle Mariners celebrates his ninth inning home run with J.P. Crawford (3) while playing the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners sweep Tigers on way to All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers still have the best record in baseball,… Continue reading

Mariners select LSU pitcher with No. 3 pick in MLB draft

College baseball’s best pitcher is coming to the Emerald City. The Seattle… Continue reading

Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning championship point against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Gentlemen's Singles Final on day 14 of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in London. (Julian Finney / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Sinner conquers Alcaraz for his first Wimbledon title

The vision of Jannik Sinner covered in sweat and… Continue reading

Rome Odunze scans the field in a scrimmage at his youth football camp at Archbishop Murphy High School on July 10, 2025. The former University of Washington star is entering his second NFL season with the Chicago Bears. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Odunze ‘gives back’ in Everett youth football camp

The former University of Washington star hosts a single-day camp at Archbishop Murphy on Thursday.

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.