Brittany McCrum, Cross Country

As a motivating leader on the team, senior captain Brittany McCrum was a driving force who helped lead the Wenatchee High School girls cross country team to victory at Districts and helped the Panthers place at State as a team for the first time ever.

“She constantly told us to work as a team in everything we did. She even tried to organize team camping trips,” sophomore teammate Sophie Marshall said.

At State, McCrum achieved a new personal record at 20 minutes and 58 seconds and was the fourth fastest runner on the WHS team. Over the season, McCrum has consistently led as the fourth fastest runner on varsity.

As a strict captain known for her motivating policy, Coach Susan Valdez recognized McCrum’s valuable leadership on the team.

“She had high expectations for the team and herself, and she was bound and determined to get the team to State. [At Districts] She wanted to win and there was no way she wanted to go home,” Valdez said.

McCrum hopes to continue her cross country career when she moves on to Louisiana Tech University after graduation. “I haven’t received any information from the coach yet, but I believe I have a chance to run for them,” said McCrum.

–Compiled by Kiana Wilson

Hannah Bruggman and Jessica Wierzbicki, Swimming

Both event winners at Districts and placers at State, senior Hannah Bruggman and freshman Jessica Wierzbicki share the spotlight for recognition from their swim team this year.

Bruggman, a swimmer of 15 years, is one of the top swimmers on the team. At State, she placed second and third in individual events, as well as third in both the 200-yard medley relay and 400-yard freestyle relay, breaking school records in both.

Bruggman’s main goal this season was to do well enough to swim in college, and she signed with Washington State University last week, and will be attending on a swimming scholarship.

“Individually, it wasn’t a strong finish to the season [for me], but team wise, yes,” Bruggman said. “I’m just proud of the team, how much we accomplished.”

On the other hand, Wierzbicki is in her first year of high school swimming, Though she has been swimming since age four.

This year, Wierzbicki’s main goal was to break one minute in the 100-yard butterfly, which she did several times this season.

Wierzbicki placed fifth and 17th in individual events at State, along with third in the 200-medley relay. “She’s done really well as a freshman. She went to State and placed highly, which is uncommon,” freshman Rebecca Bay said. “She just works really hard and is just kind of an outstanding athlete.”

“Both [Bruggman and Wierzbicki] won two events at Districts, and had dominating performances [this season],” Head Coach James Elwyn said. “To me, it was an easy thing to see who was an individual on the team.”

–Compiled by Evie Hyde

Emily Rader, Soccer

Senior Emily Rader has been a part of the WHS varsity soccer for four years of high school, building from when she first started soccer at age three. This season she has scored 14 goals, earning the school record most goals in a single season, crushing the previous record of seven.

On top of playing as a key offensive forward for the Wenatchee High School varsity girls’ soccer, senior Emily Rader makes a 300 mile, six hour round-and-back commute three times a week to practice with the Northwest Nationals Soccer Club in Seattle. She sometimes travels even more frequently if there are games scheduled for the weekend. Her team has traveled to California, Georgia, Texas, and other states across the country. Her team has played teams from all different countries, including teams from Europe and Guatemala.

“Her tenacity, aggressiveness, and desire to score goals was huge for our team this year,” WHS Coach John Springer said. “She and Jackie Bollinger were both instrumental for creating a positive environment within the team.”

Rader is planning on attending Whitworth University or Central Michigan University after high school and wants to become a veterinarian or a pharmacist.

“We will certainly miss her, not only for her accomplishments on the field, but  her leadership off the field,” Springer said.

–Compiled by Charles Marshall

Sam Martin, Cross Country

Through his hard work and consistent performance on the Wenatchee High School boys cross country team, senior Sam Martin shows that first place is not the only thing it takes to be an all-star.

“He’s received second place consistently and improved his race times from last year to this year,” Coach Susan Valdez said. “He did what it took to get better. You have to do something more to improve, and he really put in the time and effort to in order to do that.”

Martin came in as the number-two runner on the WHS boys team at Sundodger Invitational, the first League Meet, the Wenatchee Invitational, the Nike Pre Nationals meet, the Richland Invitational, the second League meet, and at the District meet. He received a new personal record at almost every meet. Martin also came in 35th place at State.

“He shows up to practice and puts in more time outside of practice… He puts more in because he wants more out of it,” senior teammate Tristan Cunderla said.

According to Cunderla, Martin’s most prized contribution is not just his hard work, but his ability to keep things light. “He goofs around and keeps it entertaining,” Cunderla said. “Whatever coach tells him to do, he twists the directions around to make it fit his way, and sometimes he just says the most random things.”

–Compiled by Kiana Wilson

Jakob Stoll, Football

Senior Jakob Stoll was voted Defensive League MVP by the coaches in the league. He also received awards for First Team All League Defensive Line and First Team All League Offensive Line.

“[His biggest accomplishment] is playing very well on both sides of the ball, offense and defense,” Coach Scott Devereaux said,“ That’s hard to do.”

Stoll’s brother and teammate, junior Markus Stoll, admires him for,“his winning attitude” and “enormous IQ.”

“Jakob is always crazy and he’s always full of energy. He brings everyone happiness when he’s in the room,” senior teammate Isaiah Brandt-Sims said. “He always works hard, and even if he’s injured, he pushes through his injuries and stays in the games.”

Stoll has had a left knee injury and a right shin injury this season. He was forced to miss practices and spend many frustrating hours trying to get back into playing condition.

One of Stoll’s finest moments took place in a league game against Eisenhower on Oct.11. He finished the game with four sacks and one forced fumble, all while pushing through a knee injury.

Stoll plans to keep playing football in college, but is undecided on where to go.

–Compiled by Breanna Andrew

Morghan Funk, Volleyball

Morghan Funk came to Wenatchee High School her junior year and was able to work her way from her status as a junior varsity player to a varsity starter in just two years. Now a senior, Funk has become one of the leaders on the WHS volleyball team, and seems to inspire her teammates with everything she does.

“Morghan is extremely nice to all her teammates, even when things get rough,” Coach Leanne Branam said. “She always seems to be able to motivate everyone on the team.”

Funk’s senior teammate, Ali Marboe, added, “Morghan’s a leader because she cares and puts every ounce of effort into everything she does. She always stays positive and that brings the team up when we begin to get down.”

Funk displayed her ability as a setter to her teammates this year, specifically to seniors Kiana Black and Rachel Leiber. “Morghan’s the most experienced setter we have, her chemistry with us really helps us get the ball where we want it,” senior Rachel Leiber said.

“The real hard hitters on the team wouldn’t be able to get the ball as much as they do without Morghan out there; she creates opportunities for everyone to do better when she’s out there,” Branam said.

Funk will not be continuing her volleyball career; she plans on going to Washington State University to pursue a career in physical therapy.

–Compiled by Daniel Arndt