WA-HI News
Walla Walla is a great community. The support at the youth market sale was a reflection of just how much local businesses and individuals want to see young people succeed. Our FFA members grossed over $92,000 with the sales of their livestock! Thank you to the Walla Walla County Cattleman’s Association, the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days Board of Directors, the many volunteers during the sale and the many community members who supported 4-H and FFA members!
Thank you to the parents and families of our students. You believe in our program and support your child in their endeavors. We are grateful for your trust and your belief in what we do.
Thank you to our FFA members. There were countless moments of leadership, teamwork, compassion, integrity, creativity, dedication and plenty of laughter - not just this week, but every day of these projects. We are proud of your success in and out of the show ring. You took a risk and you are guaranteed to grow from this experience. Thank you for inspiring us to be our best!
- The Advisors
Wa-Hi students welcomed in the new school year at a Beach Party dance held in the Academic Building Courtyard.
Shayna Hutchens
On September 9 the entire Blue Devil family met in the Big Gym for the first assembly in three years! Classes competed in a song lyric completion game, learned a dance and to sing the fight song and were introduced to our new administration and counselors. The cheer team and dance team demonstrated the theme of family by performing together. Class officers decorated each classes' section in the gym and helped the cheerleaders and dance team lead their classes. It was a great event bringing everyone in the Blue Devil family together.
The 2022-2023 school year began on September 6. Students were welcomed back to Wa-Hi last week with their name on a star. The freshmen class officers arranged their class stars in the shape of a heart.
Wa-Hi Marching Band with Drum Majors Spencer Crosbie and Aric Weston gave an awesome performance in the WW Fair Parade on Saturday September 3rd!!
On August 30 we welcomed 310 students for our Freshman Orientation. We taught them to dance and sing the fight song, as well as allowed them to explore campus walking their schedules. We ended in the commons with a message to make their time at high school count! We're so glad the Class of 2026 is part of the Blue Devil family!
https://wahibluedevils.org/news-activities/school-news-activities/wahi-news#sigProIdf11f600d84
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WaHi Athletics in Post Season Competition - May 17 Update
It is an exciting week for the Walla Walla Blue Devil baseball, softball, track and tennis teams. The baseball team is headed to Bellevue for the first round of the state 3A tournament, while the softball, track and tennis teams are competing in Spokane for trips to their respective state championships.
The Blue Devil baseball team won the district 8 MCC/GSL championship last Saturday with a 4-3 win over the MCC regular season champion Kennewick Lions. On their way to the championship, the Blue Devils defeated the GSL regular season champion, University Titans. Seeded #8 in the state baseball championship bracket, the team faces #9 Bonney Lake, Saturday, May 21st at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 pm. If the Devils advance past Bonney Lake, they will play the winner of #1 West Seattle and a team to be determined. Game time will be approximately one hour after the Devils matchup with Bonney Lake.
Walla Walla High School is sending 10 athletes to Spokane in tennis for the district 8 MCC/GSL regional tournament beginning at 1:00 Friday, May 20th at Ferris High School (girls) and Hart Park (boys). The girls team is sending one doubles team, while the boys team is sending two singles, and three doubles teams after clinching the MCC district championship by a 40 point margin.
After a regular season MCC championship, seeded #2 in the district 8 MCC/GSL tournament, the Blue Devil fastpitch softball team hosts #3 seed Mt. Spokane at 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 18th at Murr Field. Ticket prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students. The winner is an automatic qualifier for the state softball tournament to be played May 27th and 28th in Lacey, WA. The Blue Devils will play in Spokane, at an opponent, site and time to be determined on Saturday, May 21st.
After clinching the MCC District girls and boys track and field championships in Hermiston on May 14th, the Big Blue Train sends 46 athletes to Central Valley High School in Spokane on Friday, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st to compete in the Region 8 track and field championships. Three spots to the state track meet at Mt Tahoma High School, May 26th-28th, are on the line in each event.
WaHi Athletics Spring 2022 Post-Season Wrap Up - June 1, 2022
Spring 2022 has been one of the more successful seasons in recent history for Walla Walla High School athletic teams. Thanks to the coaches and student-athletes for shining at state and representing the entire school, district, and community of Walla Walla in a positive manner.
The Boys Track & Field team won a second consecutive state championship at Mt. Tahoma High School, May 26, 27, and 28. Led by MCC boy’s coach of the year, Eric Hisaw, the Blue Devils accumulated 66 points to outpace the second place team by 9 points. The following athletes earned individual medals at the meet on their way to the championship.
- Brody Hartley – State 2nd place in 800m run, 4th place in the 1600m run, and 3rd place in 3200 run
- Dash Sirmon – State 1st place in javelin, 1st place in long jump and 2nd place 4X100 relay
- Logan Ashbeck – 3rd place in javelin
- Dane Gardea – 1st place in high jump and 2nd place 4X100 relay
- 4X100 Relay Team – 2nd place (Aaren Lindsey, Caleb Morehead, Diego Jaques, Isaiah Roberson, Dash Sirmon, Dane Gardea)
In addition, the WaHi Girls Track & Field team had the following student-athletes earn medals at the state track meet also at Mt. Tahoma High School.
Individual State Honors:
- 3rd place 4X200 relay (Carly Martin, Jailyn Davenport, Ava Nelson, Ashlyn Nielsen, Talia Billingsley, Cami Martin)
- Lucy Kelly – 3rd place in javelin
After clinching a Region 8 Championship, the Girls Fastpitch Softball team earned the number one seed into the State 3A Softball championships. Led by MCC coach of the year, Arch McHie, the Blue Devils battled the rain, wind, and four very good opponents to advance to the championship where they earned the 2nd place trophy.
Blue Devil golf sent a handful of both boys and girls golfers to the District 8 Championships in Spokane, Washington. Junior Emerson Shulke and senior Sam Lastoskie each made the cut at the District 8 Championships to advance to the state championships also in Spokane. Although Emerson and Sam failed to move on to the second day, the experience and opportunity were well earned.
The Blue Devil Baseball team advanced to the round of 16 for the 3A State Baseball tournament at Bannerwood Park in Bellevue, Washington. After a stellar performance in shutting out Bonney Lake HS, 3-0, the Blue Devils dropped a heartbreaker to the number one seeded team from West Seattle HS.
After clinching the Mid-Columbia Conference 3A tennis tournament in the Tri-Cities, the boys tennis team sent two singles and three doubles teams to the District 8 Regional Tournament in Spokane, Washington. The girls tennis team sent one doubles team on to Spokane. For the seniors, it was a rewarding experience while for the younger athletes a valuable learning experience.
In addition, the MCC named the following student-athletes to All-Conference teams for the Spring 2022 season. Congratulations to our student-athletes and their coaches for an outstanding season on the field of competition.
Softball
Kaitline Chapman - SR - 1st Team, 1st Base
Sidney McCauley - JR - 1st Team, 3rd Base
Lauryn Bergevin - JR, 1st Team, Shortstop
Sara Justice - SO, 1st Team, Outfield
Alizaeya Salcedo - SR, 1st Team, Designated Hitter
Tallulah Sickels - SR, 1st Team, Pitcher
Raquel Justice - JR, 1st Team, Catcher
Anna Delarosa - FR - 2nd Team, Outfield
Kylie Kemp - SR - Honorable Mention, 2nd Base
Tallulah Sickels - MCC Player of the Year
Arch McHie - MCC Coach of the Year
Boys Soccer
Rueben Ornelas - JR, Honorable Mention, Midfield
Owen Parker - JR, Honorable Mention, Defender
Boys Tennis
Ken Higgins - SO, 2nd Team
Ethan Kelnhofer - SR, 2nd Team
Micah Case - JR, Honorable Mention
Baseball
Carson Jones - SR, 2nd Team, Pitcher
Will Kytola - SR, 2nd Team, 1st Base
Brixen Betzler - JR, 2nd Team, Outfield
Andrew Hall - SR, Honorable Mention, Pitcher and 3rd Base
Hayden Lomeli - SR, Honorable Mention, Designated Hitter
Girls Track and Field
Sariah Hepworth - SR, 2nd Team - 800m, 2nd Team - 4x400m relay, HM - 1600m
Carly Martin - SO, 2nd Team - 4x400 m relay, HM - 400m, HM - 800m
Jaylin Davenport - FR, 2nd Team - 4x400m relay, HM - 4x100m relay
Ava Nelson - JR, 2nd Team - 4x400m relay
Lucy Kelly - SR, 2nd Team - Javelin
Ashlyn Nielsen - SO, Honorable Mention - 100m, HM - 4x100m relay
Jennifer Huntsman - SR, Honorable Mention, 300m hurdles, HM - 4x100m relay, HM - Long Jump
Cami Martin - SO, HM - 4x100m relay, HM - High Jump, HM - Triple Jump
Boys Track and Field
Dash Sirmon -SR, 1st Team - Javelin, 1st Team - Long Jump, 2nd Team - Discus
Caleb Moorehead - JR, 2nd Team - 400m, 2nd Team - 4x100m relay
Brody Hartley - JR, 2nd Team - 800m, Honorable Mention - 1600m, Honorable Mention - 3200m
Dane Gardea - SO, 2nd Team - 4x100m relay, 2nd Team - High Jump
Isiah Roberson - JR, 2nd Team - 4x100m relay
Diego Jaques - SR, 2nd Team - 4x100m relay, 2nd Team - Long Jump
Christopher Norris - JR, 2nd Team - Javelin
Jake Hisaw - JR, Honorable Mention- 110m Hurdles
Logan Ashbeck - SR, Honorable Mention - Javelin
Andrew Thomas - SO, Honorable Mention - Pole Vault
Dash Sirmon - MCC Field Athlete of the Year
Eric Hisaw - MCC Boys Track Coach of the Year
Golf
The Mid-Columbia Conference has finally announced all-conference teams for Spring 2022. Junior Carson Hutchinson and senior Sam Lastoskie were chosen to the Honorable Mention team for boys golf.
Post Season Awards, Seniors Awards, and WIAA Leadership - June 14, 2022 - By Athletic Director Chris Ferenz
Golf
The Mid-Columbia Conference has finally announced all-conference teams for Spring 2022. Junior Carson Hutchinson and senior Sam Lastoskie were chosen to the Honorable Mention team for boys golf.
Post Season Awards, Seniors Awards, and WIAA Leadership
- June 14, 2022 - By Athletic Director Chris Ferenz
Senior Athletic Department Awards
The following awards were earned by senior athletes in the class of 2022 and announced at the commencement ceremony on June 10.
12 Season Award
The 12 Season Award was introduced in 1999 and it recognizes those athletes who actively participate in 3 sports a year for 4 years. This year there are four seniors who earned the 12 Season Award:
• Participating in Football, Basketball and Track - Logan Ashbeck
• Participating in Soccer, Basketball, and Track - Talia Billingsley
• Participating in Soccer, Bowling, and Track - Jennifer Huntsman
• Participating in Slowpitch Softball, Wrestling, and Fastpitch Softball - Kylie Kemp
Brown Trophy
The Brown Trophy is presented to the Senior boy who has participated in the athletic program and has been outstanding in sportsmanship, school citizenship, and the spirit in which he trains. It is voted on by the head coaches of all boys’ sports, the Principal, and the Athletic Director.
This year’s Brown Trophy winner is Dash Sirmon. Dash has participated in Football, Basketball, and Track. Throwing the javelin as a freshman he placed 6th in the state track meet and was the U-16 national champion. As a junior, he was MCC champion and first team in both the pole vault and javelin. This spring he was named MCC field athlete of the year, earned league and district championships in the javelin and long jump, two events in which he set a school record. At the state track meet, he led the Boy’s track team to the state championship while winning the long jump and javelin, and placing 6th in the discus.
Lawrence Jacky Award
The Lawrence Jacky Award is presented to the senior who has contributed to the development of athletics at Wa-Hi while showing outstanding citizenship and sportsmanship in all phases of school life.
Selection is made by a vote of the faculty here at Wa-Hi.
The winner of this year’s Lawrence Jacky Award is Tallulah Sickles. Talullah has participated in slowpitch and fastpitch softball. In slowpitch softball she was first team MCC as an outfielder and helped the team to their first state tournament in school history. She is a two-time conference player of the year in MCC fastpitch softball while leading the team consecutive conference championships. She is also a two-time, first-team pitcher who led the Blue Devils to a second place finish at the 3A state softball tournament this Spring. She will attend Lewis and Clark College in Portland to continue her career.
Lehnen Trophy
The Lehnen Trophy is presented to the Senior Girl who has participated in the athletic program and has been outstanding in sportsmanship, school citizenship, and the spirit in which she trains. It is voted on by the head coaches of all girls’ sports, the Principal, and the Athletic Director.
This year’s winner of the Lehnen Trophy is Kylie Kemp. Kylie has earned 12 varsity letters in her four years as a Blue Devil. She has excelled in wrestling and slowpitch and fastpitch softball. She has received 7 all-Mid-Columbia Conference awards for her efforts. Two on the wrestling mat and five on the softball diamond. She earned at least one first team award in each of her three sports. As a senior she propelled her teams to three state tournaments which included a 2nd place finish in fastpitch softball and a the first appearance for WWHS in the state slow-pitch tournament.
Additional Spring Athletic Awards for Seniors
IBEW Spring Male Athlete of the Year
• Dash Sirmon
IBEW Spring Female Athlete of the Year
• Tallulah Sickles
MCC Scholar-Athlete Scholarship
• Lauren Adams
Les Schwab 3A Team of the Month for May
• Boy’s Track Team
Wa-Hi Junior selected to WIAA Leadership Team
Soon to be Junior Turner Van Slyke has been chosen to the Leadership through Education, Activities, and Personal Development (LEAP) committee for the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. LEAP is a student group organized by the WIAA and is involved with WIAA events, meetings, and community projects. LEAP committee members serve to be the voice of over 225,000 student-participants supported by the WIAA. Turner was one of 8 students selected across the state in the class of 2024 to serve a two-year term. He was chosen based on his application, letters of recommendation, written questionnaires, and video profile. Congratulations to Turner.
