The Walla Walla Blue Devils had a successful winter sports season with one more team competing. Our Devilettes Dance team will compete in Pasco, Saturday, March 15th in the District 6 competition. The ladies will be looking to earn a state qualifying score for the WIAA State Championships at the Yakima Sundome, March 28th.
History was made on February 21st when Junior Kylie Whitaker battled her way to a state championship in girls wrestling. Kylie becomes the first girl wrestler in Blue Devil sports history to win a state title. After finishing 3rd her freshman and sophomore year, she was not to be denied. Other Blue Devils earning medals and placing at the Mat Classic Wrestling State Championship were Senior Alexa Kemp (4th), Sophomore Hazel Asmus (5th) and Adam Dalan (8th). Congratulations to Head Coach Jacob Butenhoff and all the Blue Devil Wrestlers for a fantastic season.
After securing the District 6 3A Championship, the boys swim and dive competed in Federal Way, February 20th – 22nd at the WIAA State Swim and Dive Championships. The meet started with Andrew Early and Cody Merril both competing in dive with Andrew making it to finals to finish 15th and earn points for WaHi. The swim portion of the meet saw points earned in the 200 Medley Relay, 200 Freestyle – Eli Bona, 50 Freestyle – Jerry Yao, 100 Freestyle – Noah Stillman, 500 Freestyle – Noah Bona, 200 Freestyle Relay, 100 Backstroke – Noah Stillman, and 400 Freestyle Relay. The team earned a school record 84 points with its highest finish ever at 10th place. Individual medal winners were Noah Stillman (4th) 100 Backstroke, and the 400 Freestyle Relay team of Eli Bona, Jerry Yao, Jake Buratto, and Noah Stillman.
Also earning a state championship, the Blue Devil Boys Basketball team earned the academic state championship for the 3A classification with a team GPA of 3.740. The team will receive a plaque from the WIAA as well as individual patches and medals. Congratulations to Head Coach Adam Berg and the boys for their hard work in the classroom and the court.
The Mid-Columbia Conference has published All-Conference awards for each of the winter sports sponsored by the WIAA. Blue Devils who were recognized as voted on by coaches in the MCC are:
Boys Basketball
Truman Bullington, Sophomore First Team
Carter Shivell, Senior Second Team
Boys Swim and Dive
Eli Bona, Junior 200 Freestyle (1st), 500 freestyle (1st), 200 MR (1st), 400 Free Relay (1st)
Graham Johnson, Senior100 Butterfly (1st), 400 Free Relay (1st), 500 Freestyle (2nd)
Noah Stillman, Junior100 Freestyle (1st), 200 MR (1st), 200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 100 Back (2nd)
Ahmir Luengas, Sophomore200 MR (1st), 200 IM (2nd)
Jerry Yao, Senior200 MR (1st), 200 Free Relay (1st), 50 Freestyle (2nd)
Jake Buratto, Senior200 Free Relay (1st), 400 Free Relay (1st),50 Freestyle (HM),100 Freestyle (HM)
Hayes Hendley, Junior200 Freestyle Relay (1st), 400 Freestyle Relay (1st), 200 Freestyle (2nd)
Cody Merrill, Junior Dive (2nd)
Jamie Coburn – Co-Dive Coach of the Year
Boys Wrestling
Diego Caso, Senior Second Team
Girls Basketball
Miriam Hutchens, Senior Second Team
Bridget Boyd, Sophomore Honorable Mention
Girls Bowling
Amelia Hubbard, Junior Honorable Mention
Girls Wrestling
Kylie Whitaker, Junior First Team
Hazel Asmus, Sophomore Second Team
Alexa Kemp, Senior Second Team
Brooklyn Quigg, Junior Honorable Mention
In addition, the National Electrical Contractors Association and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers recognized two outstanding seniors who have shown superior balance in academics, athletics, and community involvement. Blue Devils Miriam Hutchens (basketball) and Jerry Yao (swim and dive) were honored.
Spring sports are in their second week of practice. Golfers kicked their season off on March 10th and 11th with the Walla Walla Invite at Wine Valley GC and the WW Country Club. Softball and tennis host Moses Lake on March 13th, followed by a track jamboree and boys soccer March 15th. Baseball will open at Murr on Saturday, March 22nd.
For up to date schedules, visit the WWHS Athletics website – link: WWHSAthletics
