College sports

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrates throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 3 UW needs offense to start clicking again

The Huskies’ high-flying unit will be key in the Pac-12 title game against Oregon.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrates throwing a touchdown to wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass for a touchdown as Oregon State defensive back Jaden Robinson (4) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)

UW, WSU meet in last Apple Cup as Pac-12 foes

The Huskies seek an unbeaten regular season in a rivalry game ripe with storylines.

Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) catches a pass for a touchdown as Oregon State defensive back Jaden Robinson (4) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
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: Skoog takes 2nd at NAIA cross country championships

Also, Taylor Roe posts an All-American time, Efton Chism III earns All-Big Sky honors, and a slew of athletes receive All-NWAC selections.

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)
Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle (21) shoots over Arizona guard Courtney Ramey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

MP grad Battle denied appeal to play for West Virginia

The NCAA upheld its ruling that RaeQuan Battle is ineligible to play this season after transferring from Montana State.

Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle (21) shoots over Arizona guard Courtney Ramey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
A Washington State fan holds a "Pac-2" sign before an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Colorado, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State is one of two schools remaining in the Pac-12 after the 2023-2024 academic year after the other schools in the conference announced plans to leave. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Fans, coaches, players sound off on final weeks of Pac-12 football

The last week of the regular season is evoking many emotions across the lame-duck league.

A Washington State fan holds a "Pac-2" sign before an NCAA college football game between Washington State and Colorado, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State is one of two schools remaining in the Pac-12 after the 2023-2024 academic year after the other schools in the conference announced plans to leave. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
Washington defensive end Zion Tupuola-Fetui points as he walks onto the field to celebrate a 35-28 win over Utah in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 5 UW looks to secure berth in Pac-12 title game

The Huskies visit No. 10 Oregon State for a high-stakes showdown.

Washington defensive end Zion Tupuola-Fetui points as he walks onto the field to celebrate a 35-28 win over Utah in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Scott Callens, who works as a FlowRider instructor at the Snohomish Aquatic Center, recently won world and national titles in flowboarding. (Ashley Choquette / Snohomish Aquatic Center)

Community roundup: Callens wins world, national flowboarding titles

Plus, an Everett boy qualifies for gymnastics nationals, an ex-Lake Stevens volleyball star goes far in a world beach tournament, and more.

Scott Callens, who works as a FlowRider instructor at the Snohomish Aquatic Center, recently won world and national titles in flowboarding. (Ashley Choquette / Snohomish Aquatic Center)
Oklahoma State distance runner Taylor Roe, a Lake Stevens High School graduate, finished second at the Big 12 Cross Country Championship on Oct. 30, 2020, in Lawrence, Kansas. (Oklahoma State photo)
Oklahoma State distance runner Taylor Roe, a Lake Stevens High School graduate, finished second at the Big 12 Cross Country Championship on Oct. 30, 2020, in Lawrence, Kansas. (Oklahoma State photo)
Washington offensive lineman Nate Kalepo (71) and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrate after a touchdown by wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Next test in No. 5 UW’s stretch run is visit from No. 13 Utah

The two-time defending Pac-12 champion Utes have plenty to play for this week.

Washington offensive lineman Nate Kalepo (71) and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) celebrate after a touchdown by wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Southern California, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
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: Everett flag football teams reach nationals

Plus, Alivia White wins her first college wrestling tournament, EvCC men’s soccer falls just short of NWAC semifinals, and more.

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)
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 5 UW, No. 24 USC enter showdown with something to prove

Heisman Trophy candidates Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. square off Saturday.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) is congratulated by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., right, after scoring against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

No. 5 UW faces challenging final stretch

The Huskies last four games will be their chance to prove they’re a playoff team.

Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) is congratulated by quarterback Michael Penix Jr., right, after scoring against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Everett’s Mia Cienega shakes hands with Arlington’s Janay Beckman before claiming a victory by pin during the 3A/4A Girls Region 1 Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Community roundup: Local wrestlers win national events

Plus, an Arlington grad is competing with an All-Navy basketball team, the EvCC men’s soccer team begins postseason play, and more.

Everett’s Mia Cienega shakes hands with Arlington’s Janay Beckman before claiming a victory by pin during the 3A/4A Girls Region 1 Wrestling Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 15-7. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 5 Washington looks to get offense back on track against Stanford

The Huskies didn’t score an offensive touchdown in their win over Arizona State last week.

Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) throws against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 15-7. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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)
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)
Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle (21) lays the ball up for a basket against Northern Arizona in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Big Sky men's tournament in Boise, Idaho, Wednesday, March 8, 2023.  (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Montana State guard RaeQuan Battle (21) lays the ball up for a basket against Northern Arizona in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game for the championship of the Big Sky men's tournament in Boise, Idaho, Wednesday, March 8, 2023.  (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Well-traveled Archbishop Murphy alum Victor Gabalis has found a home at Tarleton State University. (Tarleton State athletics)

Despite twists and turns, Victor Gabalis has finally found a home

After stops at Washington State and Utah Tech, the Archbishop Murphy alum has settled in at Tarleton State in Texas.

Well-traveled Archbishop Murphy alum Victor Gabalis has found a home at Tarleton State University. (Tarleton State athletics)
Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) reacts with Will Nixon, left, after scoring a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

No. 5 Washington hopes to avoid letdown against Arizona State

After a thrilling win over Oregon, the Huskies aren’t taking the struggling Sun Devils lightly.

Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk (2) reacts with Will Nixon, left, after scoring a touchdown against Oregon during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez signs autographs for fans on the sideline before an NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

J-Rod makes his UW debut

The Mariners star was among a smattering of celebrities on the Huskies’ sideline against Oregon.

Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez signs autographs for fans on the sideline before an NCAA college football game between Washington and Oregon, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) is tackled by Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson and linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Vorel: UW football reminds world there’s big-time football out west

“Yeah, today was amazing,” a smiling UW coach Kalen DeBoer said Saturday.

Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin (11) is tackled by Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson and linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 36-33. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)