June 7, 2023
ISSUE 23
75¢
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Photo courtesy Bailey Andersen Eatonville High School juniors Bailey Andersen and Lillian Bickford pose for a photo prior to a summer league game. The girls are raising money to compete in a basketball tournament in London in late June.
EHS athletes raising money to compete in London basketball tourney By Skip Smith
Contributing writer
Eatonville High School juniors Bailey Andersen and Lillian Bickford have seized an opportunity to travel to London and participate in a basketball tournament this summer. Andersen and Bickford caught the eye of a coach while attending an NBC basketball camp in Auburn in June 2022. Recognizing their skills, the coach nominated them for this chance. Following an application process and phone interview, both girls secured their positions on the team heading to London. They received confirmation of their selection in November of last year. The team comprises talented girls from Washington, Idaho and British Columbia. During their time in London, LONDON Page 2Æ
Photo by Erik Swartout Eatonville's Brooke Blocker poses in front of the distance sign showing her state championship-winning distance in javelin.
STATE CHAMPION
Blocker captures state championship crown By Skip Smith
Contributing writer
Eatonville’s Brooke Blocker has left an indelible mark on her high school career, showcasing talent across multiple sports. With her skills, she earned recognition on basketball and fastpitch AllLeague teams for basketball and fastpitch and secured a spot on the All-State team in fastpitch. In the realm of track and field, she asserted her dominance by capturing Evergreen League and District 4 Javelin champion titles. Adding to her list of achievements, Blocker now proudly holds the title of the 2023 WIAA 1A Javelin State Champion. Blocker pitted her skills against 15 other talented athletes in the javelin event. The climax of the competition arrived at her final throw, which turned out to be the best of her career. She solidified her claim to the state title after
launching the javelin 121 feet, 11 inches. "This moment is so surreal and something I've dreamed about since middle school," she said. "Winning the javelin state championship after such a long break from the sport is an indescribable feeling of excitement and triumph. The rush of adrenaline that surged through my body as I heard my name being called out as the winner is unmatched." Erik Swartout, Blocker's throwing coach, expressed both awe and expectation at her performance. "This was one of the most clutch things I've ever seen from an athlete,” he said. “To [personal record] three times at the state meet and then on your last attempt to win it is something I'll remember forever.” Swartout reminisced about the
decisive moment when he became certain of Blocker's victory. "I've always known Brooke is a fierce competitor, and that's what I admire so much about her as an athlete,” he said. “Before the finals and sitting in second, I distinctly remember her saying 'I'm going to win this thing. There is no other option.' Once I heard that and saw the look in her eyes, I knew she was going to do it." Acknowledging the significance of a robust support system on her journey to becoming a state champion, Blocker thanked those who helped her reach this pinnacle. "A few people I truly looked up to during this process would be the Swartout family, Erik, Machaela and Sammie," she acknowledged, highlighting their instrumental roles in her development. BLOCKER Page 4Æ