Falcons earn all-league honors

Nineteen South Whidbey High School athletes received first-team, all-conference honors this fall.

In addition, three earned player of the year awards in their respective sports.

Lila McCleary was named the North Sound Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year in soccer, and Simone White (forward), Kelly Murnane (midfielder), Nicole Helseth (goalkeeper) and Mallory Drye joined her on the first team.

Mikenna Wicher (forward), Alison Papritz (midfielder) and Ashton Helseth (defender) were second-team selections.

Bodie Hezel was the league’s Most Valuable Offensive Player in football and was also a first-team defensive back, and Kobe Balora was named the conference’s Most Valuable Defensive Player along with being a first-team offensive lineman.

Kole Nelson was first-team defensive line, second-team punter and honorable mention quarterback; Jakob Snelling was first team on both lines; Alex Black was a first-team receiver and second-team defensive back; Aidan Coleman made first-team linebacker; and Lewis Mattson was second-team offensive line.

Falcons on the first team in cross country were Michael Harwell, Aidan Donnelly, Thomas Simms, Cooper Ullmann, Kaia Swegler Richmond and Grace Huffman.

Second-team selections were Reilly McVay, Trent Hogarth, Flannery Friedman, Jasmin Graner and Natalie Rodriquez.

Doug Fulton was named Coach of the Year.

Brothers Levi and Ranger Buck teamed up to earn first-team doubles honors in tennis.

In volleyball, Emma Hodson (outside hitter/middle) and Kayla Knauer (libero) received second-team honors.