Gonzaga commit Jessie Loera headlines athletes of the year
Moses Lake's Jessie Loera makes a no-look pass around a pair of Skyview defenders during the 2015 Hardwood Classic at the Tacoma Dome.
Mid-way through her final season at Moses Lake, Jessie Loera has put together a banner four years.
Loera led Moses Lake to its second fifth place finish in a row at the state tournament in the early months of 2015, racking up a multitude of postseason honors in the process. She was the Columbia Basin Big Nine Player of the Year and co-Defensive Player of the Year, State basketball all-tournament second team, Seattle Times all-state second team and Associated Press all-state honorable mention.
Over the summer, Loera gave a verbal commitment to Gonzaga University and made her decision official when she signed a letter of intent in November.
“It feels awesome,” she said after signing. “I’m happy now it’s like official and everything. I’m so excited for next year to be there and be part of the Gonzaga environment ... I’m looking forward to playing, of course, for the team and for the school because it’s just an amazing area and atmosphere up there and I’m just happy to be around it mostly.”
Loera’s solid play has continued her senior season. Currently, Moses Lake is 10-0 and Loera has already etched her name into the school’s record books by eclipsing the 1,000-point mark against Walla Walla and scoring a school record 37 points against Chiawana.
“If I wouldn’t have had it (the record) it would’ve been OK,” she said after breaking the record. “But it’s something that’s pretty cool to accomplish.”
Loera’s scoring outburst against Chiawana helped her earn Washington Interscholastic Activities Association Athlete of the Week honors.
Kenedee Peters, Ephrata
As a freshman, Kenedee Peters dominated the Class 2A state girls golf tournament at Meadowwood in Spokane.
Peters led wire-to-wire shooting a 71 in the first round and a 68 in the second round to capture the championship by 19 strokes. Peters’ score of 68 on the second day was the only round in the 60s for the entire tournament.
“She’s just very focused,” head coach Heidi Burns said on Peters’ championship run. “Her mental golf game is phenomenal. She just takes her bad shots and makes good shots out of them ... she’s just real focused and is a true player.”
Peters was also named the Washington State Golf Association Junior Girls Player of the Year.
Madison Martinez, Othello
Othello softball’s Madison Martinez was named the Central Washington Athletic Conference Player of the Year after helping the Huskies to a co-league championship.
Martinez helped Othello capture a district championship and finish third in the state tournament.
Hudson Mauseth, Moses Lake
After defeating Union’s Michael Snediker in the 160-pound finals at Mat Classic XXVII, Hudson Mauseth captured an individual state championship as well as the team title for Moses Lake.
Mauseth scored a late takedown to win a 7-4 decision.
“I knew he was going to come at me,” he said after winning the championship. “I did what I usually do. Just grab his hands, keep him moving, fighting, stop his shot and I just had to wait for him to mess up. Once he messed up I took my chance and that’s all it took.”
With the win, Mauseth became the third generation in his family to become a state champion. His grandfather, Vard Jenks, and his father, Matt Mauseth, are also state champions.
Tyson Yamane, Warden
Yamane defeated Garfield-Palouse’s Trapper Askins, 8-5, to win a state title at 126 pounds.
Yamane bounced back at Mat Classic XXVII after losing to Askins at regionals. Yamane’s state title helped Warden win the 1B/2B team championship by 46.5 points.
“I’m very, very blessed with the team I’ve got,” head coach Brent Cox said after winning the championship. “The kids worked so hard. It’s just one of those things where I don’t have to ask a lot. They’re just one of those groups that just works hard. It’s amazing.”
Dallas Isaak, Almira-Coulee-Hartline
Isaak, who totaled over 4,000 yards of offensive and 70 touchdowns in 2015, was Associated Press all-state first team at quarterback.
Isaak helped ACH navigate a 13-1 season that included a 13-game win streak and a state championship. Against Lummi Nation in the state title game, Isaak rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw for 261 yards and three scores.