For a while Taylor Cochran was a hidden talent.
He spent his first two prep seasons mainly as a midfielder for the Snohomish High School boys soccer team and also played midfielder for the powerful Snohomish United club team.
Cochran performed well – he helped the Panthers finish second in 2003 and United won a state championship two years ago. While Cochran was a good midfielder, he has become a great striker, according to Snohomish High coach Dan Pingrey.
Pingrey moved Cochran to striker, a key scoring position, last season. “That’s where he blossomed for us,” Pingrey said.
The switch helped Cochran get more exposure. Added Pingrey, “Taylor is one of those untapped resources.”
At least he was.
Based largely on Cochran’s performance last year as a striker, he drew attention from several colleges. Cochran recently made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Washington.
“It’s pretty exciting,” he said. “I’ve been a Husky fan my whole life.”
The UW’s strong coaching staff and top-notch facilities were important factors, Cochran added. “They can take a good player and make him a great player.”
The Washington staff has plenty to work with. Cochran is strong, quick and solid in the air and has grown into his 6-foot-2, 190-pound frame, Pingrey said.
“He’s a van Nistelrooy,” Pingrey added, comparing his Snohomish standout to Manchester United star Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutch player is one of the top striker’s in the world.
Record-setting back: Granite Falls running back Kyle Nelson set school records this season for yards (1,987) and touchdowns (19).
“He is our offense,” Granite Falls coach Eric Dinwiddie said. “Teams designed their defenses to stop him and he still racked up the yards.”
Dinwiddie noted that the Tigers, although they lost eight games, were not shut out this season. “We were shut out seven times last season,” Dinwiddie said. “That’s a drastic improvement to be in every game and he was responsible for a lot of that – him and tackle Alonzo DeLosSantos.”
The pair were team co-captains and played on offense, defense and special teams.
Meadowdale PG Fenimore chooses SPU: Meadowdale High point guard Ashley Fenimore made a verbal commitment to play at Seattle Pacific University, according to Meadowdale coach Karen Blair.
Fenimore, who started for Meadowdale’s 3A state championship team last year along with current SPU freshman forward Quinn Brewe, also considered Oregon State, Gonzaga, Nevada-Reno, Eastern Washington and UC Riverside. She holds Meadowdale records for assists in a game, a season and a career.
Two S. Whidbey fastpitch players commit: South Whidbey High fastpitch softball teammates Christie Robinson and Carolann Lubach have made verbal commitments to accept college scholarships, according to Falcons coach Todd Lubach.
Robinson, a pitcher, has committed to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was the Herald’s All-Area player of the year as a sophomore, when she helped lift South Whidbey to a 24-1 record and third place at the Class 2A state tournament.
Lubach, who plays catcher and third base, has committed to Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, New York. She also considered Drake University (Iowa) and Loyola University (Chicago). Lubach was named the North Cascades Conference Offensive Player of the Year last spring when she batted .569.
The teammates have helped South Whidbey win three consecutive 2A District 1 championships. They both play for the Lake Breeze 18A club team.
Snohomish midfielder Manning commits to Idaho: Snohomish High girls soccer player Kelsey Manning has verbally committed to the University of Idaho, Snohomish coach Dan Pingrey said.
Manning returned to the field last week after sitting out most of the season with a torn medial collateral ligament. She suffered the injury in the Panthers’ third game of the season.
Snohomish forward Jenny Gudmundson also plans to attend Idaho, but as a walk-on, Pingrey said. Gudmundson was one of Snohomish’s top scorers until she tore her medial and anterior cruciate ligaments Sept. 30 against Stanwood.
Freshman midfielder Lacee Ross also hurt her MCL and will miss the rest of the season.
It’s been a band-aid year for Snohomish (12-2-4), Pingrey said, but six freshmen have gained valuable experience and performed well amidst the horde of injuries. “We’re gonna be that much better next year,” he said.
Even without several key starters, the Panthers advanced to the Class 4A state playoffs. Snohomish plays Bellarmine Prep 8 p.m. tonight in a first-round game at Mount Tahoma Stadium.
Sultan’s Brown headed to Portland: Sultan High soccer player Katie Brown has made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Portland, Sultan coach Andrea Fuller said.
Brown, a midfielder, also considered Seattle Pacific University and the University of Nevada, Fuller said. She was a first-team all-league selection all four years at Sultan, including the Cascade Conference Player of the Year this season.
Kamiak’s Lau picks BYU: Kamiak High volleyball player Stephanie Lau has committed to Brigham Young University, according to Kamiak coach Debra Crawford. Lau, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter and team captain, led the Knights in kills this season.
Prep Editor John McDonald contributed to this report
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