Category: Sports

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Within the 1,743 square foot volleyball court at Heritage High School, the Lady Hawks continue to develop their bumping and setting skills. Normally, after bumping and setting comes spiking, but these girls the final ingredient of their on-court trifecta is enthusiasm. Unbridled enthusiasm to be exact. Plain, yet simple, and highly effective for making high school memories.

“We are just trying our best to be locked in during practice and in games. For me, I think being positive and focusing on the good things is an important, maybe the most important, part of life, not just sports,” explained Lady Hawks co-captain Lilly Jefferson. “You can see how its impacted our team, too, because regardless of the score we are doing our chants, cheering for one another, and actually enjoying the moments we get to celebrate. 

“Being able to be loud and scream out of joy and excitement if my favorite part of sports,” continued the high school junior. “As the season went along, the more and more of my teammates started to join along and now almost the whole team cheers and lets out good emotion when something good happens or someone puts full effort on the court, like diving or really hustling to try and make a play. These are moments are worth celebrating, or in my case, screaming for.”

While doing their best to maximize enthusiasm during their team as volleyballers, the Lady Hawks have unlocked a truly refreshing perspective for those who witness them play. They are making the best kind of memories, built from a united mission to have fun regardless of what the scoreboard reads. This was evident at girls’ latest home game when they hosted Shoreline Christian on October 2. 

 After dropping a quick first set, 10-25, the girls played a back and forth second set that saw them trailing by only two points, 18-20, at one point. If it’s possible to will a team to victory simply through enthusiasm, then co-captains Lilly and Raylee Fryberg nearly did just that. They were the driving force that made sure they team came together after every point, win or lose, to clap it up, express positive platitudes, or let out a cheer-filled scream.

The super competitive second set ended up going Shoreline Christian’s way, but that didn’t stop the Lady Hawks from boiling over with that unbridled enthusiasm. Not even close. Before the start of the third set, senior Elizabel Herrera huddled up her team and mimicked the legendary “Whose got my back?!” chant made famous by the Seattle Seahawks vaunted Legion of Boom.

Those vibes carried over to the start of their third set. The Lady Hawks managed to jump out to a 9-8 lead and were still in the think of things while trailing 15-20. Ultimately, they dropped the third set and lost the match 0-3. Don’t tell them they lost though because they aren’t interested in the wins and losses; they are interested in making memories and building friendships.

“This is my first year playing volleyball,” admitted 17-year-old Elizabel post-game. “I’m so thankful for Lilly and Raylee for bringing me up and talking me into playing. I feel like I mess up so much and am still learning where I need to be and when, but they act like I don’t and that makes me want to keep on playing and getting better.

“This whole experience playing volleyball and being a Lady Hawk are good memories that I’ll be thankful later for. Really, I just want to smile and make others smile because high school is only four years and, me being a senior, I only have a few months left. So I want to smile as much as I can and make as many memories as I can before it’s over.”

The 2024 volleyball season is quickly coming to an end. Catch one last glimpse of bump, set, and enthusiasm when Heritage celebrates Senior Night on October 15. The Lady Hawks will be hosting Evangel Classical School in their final home game of the season. 

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

After their 56-8 crushing of the Muckleshoot Kings the week prior, the unbeaten Tulalip Hawks entered week four of the regular season with a shocking #10 next to their name. In a super cool development, Tulalip’s early season success and torrid touchdown pace reached influencers within the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). In their weekly updated Top 10 rankings, the WIAA ranked Tulalip Heritage #10 in the entire state for 1B football.  

“It feels amazing to be putting Tulalip on the map and letting the whole state know who we are,” declared starting cornerback and Heritage High senior Javohn Henry. “Our [football program] hasn’t been known in too long, but now we’re getting our name out there for all to see. Not just as footballers, but as proud Natives.”

The undefeated and #10 ranked Heritage Hawks hosted the Lummi Nation Blackhawks in another inter-tribal battle by the bay on Friday, September 27. It was expected to be a battle of contrasting styles, too, because unlike the razzle dazzle Hawks offense, Lummi’s primary strength is run-run-run with little to no passing in between. 

In the first quarter, offense was a major struggle for both teams. Whether it was the frigid 50-degree temperature or just the nervousness from longtime rivals meeting for the first and only time this season on the Tulalip gridiron, or a combination of both, is difficult to know. What we do know is after one whole quarter of play the game was tied 0 to 0.

Early in the 2^nd quarter, Tulalip’s defense came up big with a 4^th down stop that gave the ball back to their offense. Inserted into the game for the first time was quarterback J.J. Gray. He immediately ignited the Hawks offense with a 45-yard completion to wide-receiver Ziggy Myles-Gilford. Four plays later, J.J. found his other wide-receiver Tokala Black Tomahawk in the back of the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Two-point conversion was good to give the home team an 8-0 lead.

Heritage’s offense was running on all high-powered cylinders again. Best encapsulated by an 80-yard catch and run from Ziggy later in the 2^nd quarter that got Tulalip’s home crowd on their feet and cheering enthusiastically at a team that has the talent to score on any given possession. That highlight was soon followed by another as J.J. used his agility and evasiveness to carve up the Lummi defense for a 50-yard QB scramble to the endzone. Midway through the 3^rd quarter, Tulalip led 24-6.

Taking a reprieve from play-calling duties, while Tulalip’s defense was on the field, offensive coordinator Willy Enick shared, “J.J. just really unlocks our offense. His ability to keep a play alive with his feet, his vision to keep his head up and look for his receivers, and his excellent ball placement gives our guys so much confidence to take their games to the next level. The first quarter being a bit of a struggle for us to move the ball and it being a 0-0 game was actually a gift for us coaches. It gave us an opportunity to remind the boys that being ranked doesn’t mean anything if you can’t continue to execute and perform like we know we can.”

The two sophomore sensations, J.J. and Ziggy, continued to execute their onfield connection as they wreaked havoc on would-be Lummi tacklers early in the 4^th quarter. On the cusp of the red zone, J.J. evaded multiple defenseman, actually managing to split two Lummi lineman who tackled one another instead of the Tulalip quarterback, and then lofted a perfect spiral to a wide-open Ziggy for a touchdown. Up 30-8 now, the chants of “Tulalip power!” started to ring out from the fans who knew the W was all but secured. 

The Hawks defense continued to swarm tackle the larger Lummi ballcarriers and managed to force several turnovers via 4^th down stops. 

“Our defense did good adjusting to the run-heavy play style,” reflected Heritage defensive coordinator, Deyamonta Diaz post-game. “We adjusted to a 4-man front and were still able to rally to the ball quickly. For us, that’s been a game changer because the 4^th down stops give our offense the ability to find rhythm. We also had different starters this week, so guys were able to get reps and be ready for when we have to go into our depth chart.”

Ultimately, the Hawks relied on their depth and high-octane offense to win another season-boosting rivalry game. The 36-16 victory over Lummi will assuredly keep Tulalip in the ranks of the top 10.

Next up, the boys will travel to Tacoma on Saturday, October 6, to take on the Charles Wright Tarriers. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Within the sports realm, winning often takes center stage. Teams work tirelessly to secure victories, dreaming of championships and personal accolades. However, not every season ends in triumph, and for high school athletes in particular, enduring a losing season can feel discouraging. 

Despite the challenges, many coaches and sports psychologists emphasize the importance of embracing fun and positivity in the face of adversity. This mindset not only helps athletes cope with tough times but also cultivates personal growth, resilience, and a simple yet effective love for athletics and general exercise that can last well beyond high school.

One key reason for promoting fun during a losing season is the development of resilience. High school is a critical period for shaping emotional and mental strength, and learning to handle failure is a vital life lesson. 

According to sports psychologist Dr. Michelle Cleere, “Fun increases your physical and psychological health. It boosts endorphins which decreases stress and improves our tolerance for pain. It increases our relationships, not only with the people you are having fun with but it helps us feel good about all of our relationships. Laughter releases serotonin which reduces stress and is good for memory, sleep, breathing, heart rate, and mood. Fun increases your life span because it’s positive. It also lifts energy levels. When you take the time to relax, to have fun and to enjoy yourself, you are more capable of dealing better with everything else in life.”

Embracing fun, laughter and positive vibes is the on-court strategy of the 2024 Tulalip Heritage volleyball program. With many new players joining the team, several of whom never having played organized volleyball before, the Lady Hawks are intent on having fun and making memories, regardless of score and record.

“It started at our first game of the season at Darrington. Lilly and Aylani were determined that we stay positive and enjoy the little moments worth celebrating, even though we were losing. Their ability to remain positive and upbeat was infectious because it really did infect the whole team,” said Lady Hawks co-captain Raylee Fryberg. “Coming into the season, I was really focused on being the best player I could be. Once the games got going and I saw my teammates being so positive and just having fun, I realized just how much we need to keep that energy going and not be as concerned with individual play.

“We have so many girls that are new to the team and we’re already seeing how much quicker they are gaining confidence in practice and on the court because we’re trying to lift every one up, instead of putting each other down.”

The Lady Hawks embracing fun and moments of excitement was witnessed at their first home game of the season when they hosted Concrete High School, an out of league opponent, at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium.

Despite losing in straight sets by the scores of 8-25, 5-25, and 11-25, the girls were routinely high-fiving, doing their in-game chants, and letting out excitement-filled shrieks when a teammate would score a point in epic fashion. Such a memorable moment occurred late in the third set. Senior player Elizabel Herrera, while on defense, leapt at the net and blocked a Concrete volley. Not only did she score a point for her team, but it was the first block of the match by either team. The Lady Hawks immediately came together as a unit and celebrated Elizabel’s accomplishment. 

Maintaining a positive attitude doesn’t just improve morale; it can also lead to better performance. Research shows that when athletes enjoy themselves, they often play with less pressure, allowing them to perform more freely and effectively.

“We’ve implemented a 5-1 system that is built around Raylee’s ability to setup her teammates as our primary setter,” said Lady Hawks head coach Jamie Orth. “We know it’s going to take time and practice for us to settle in as a team with so many new players to the sport. But we are seeing progress and some girls come out of their shell and get more comfortable.

“The better our rotations become, the more they will trust one another, the better our overall results,” continued the head coach. “It’s all part of the process, and I’m just proud that these girls have come together with the understanding that if we keep working hard and staying positive, then we’ll all get better.”

By embracing fun and positivity during throughout the seasons, the Lady Hawks athletes can keep their love for the sport alive and build skills that will serve them long after the final whistle blows.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In high school sports, a world of change can occur from one season to another. Change, positive change to be exact, is just what Tulalip Heritage athletic director Lonnie Enick is attempting to manifest this year when it comes to the boys’ football program.

“This season is going to be all about growth. Growth by our players and growth by our coaches,” said Lonnie pregame. “We’ve worked so hard all offseason to prepare for this season. And all last week, in practice, we could see just how much that hard work was paying off. Our players and coaches are really seeing each other, they are hearing each other, and most importantly they are believing in each other. 

“This team has so much talent. The only thing that can derail them is lack of belief. That’s why its so important for our community to fill this stadium seating every home game. To bring their energy that we know only Tulalip can. That will fuel these boys competitive fire and give them even more confidence knowing how many are rooting for them to succeed.”

Success has been a difficult thing to come by in recent years. Heritage hasn’t had a winning football team since the 2017 squad went 5-2. The program went into a major funk after that, largely due to the student-athletes being unable to keep themselves academically eligible. 

Now, in 2024, the winds of change have blown in a fresh crop of Tulalip boys eager to build something worthwhile, to build something successful. After a number of incoming transfers, and even more on their way, plus uber-athletic basketball players looking to test out their physical gifts on grid iron, the Hawks coaching staff expects to have no difficulty fielding a team with depth at every position.

The new-look Hawks played their season-opener on Friday, September 6. Their opponent? The Concrete Lions. The same Concrete team that ran all over the Hawks last year and handed our boys a 24-point loss. 

But that was last year. This is a new year with a new team. And this time around Tulalip was the home team, playing under the bright lights and in front of a mass of adoring fans. The Heritage boys were eager to let everyone know this year would be different. 

Senior player James Diaz led the charge on both sides of the ball, playing admirably on offense and defense. He rushed for two touchdowns and then came up with a massive 80-yard interception return for a touchdown right before halftime to give Heritage a 24-18 lead.

“Playing DB, I read the tight end split perfectly,” shared James while catching his breath on the sidelines, following the pick 6. “My uncle Dee is always telling me to stay on the tight end’s hip, to not allow separation, and on that play everything went perfectly. I knew the QB was going to pass it to the tight end, I didn’t give any separation, and the pass basically came right to me. I knew right when I caught it that I had a chance to run it back for a touchdown. Hearing the crowd and my teammates yelling in excitement as I ran it back was pretty cool, I can’t lie.” 

James went on to add yet another rushing touchdown early in the 4^th quarter, his fourth score of the game, that put the home team up 30-18. The Hawks defense descended on any Concrete ball carriers, gang tackling at its finest, and didn’t yield a single point in the 2^nd half.

The 30-18 season opening win puts Heritage at 1-0. It’s only one win, but a huge mission statement in the locker room as the team looks to continue to find even more success. For their next game, the Hawks travel to Crescent High School on Saturday, September 14, in a matchup with the Loggers.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Multi-sport athlete and Tulalip tribal member, Tucker Day, has taken up the grid iron challenge. Having already found early success on the baseball diamond as both a pitcher and hitter, the inspiring 11-year-old has swapped his glove and baseball for shoulder pads, a helmet, and a nifty forearm play sheet as a two-way player for the Concrete Lions youth football program.

“After I saw Tucker’s athletic potential and grittiness displayed playing baseball, I asked his parents if he could play football,” explained Lions head coach Arthur Sanchez. “He never played organized football before, but both he and his parents were on board with him playing. He’s shown a lot of potential already. He’s our starting wide receiver on offense and starting cornerback on defense.

“He’s got great hands. He’s got speed. He’s got height. All things any coach would love to have in a pass catcher,” added the longtime football coach. “On defense, he doesn’t shy away from contact, he’s a great tackler. Having never played before, there is still so much for him to learn, but it’s obvious he’s a willing learner and wants to develop his technique on both sides of the ball to benefit his team.”

Tucker’s innate skill and ability on the football field was on full display during a recent jamboree hosted outside Burlington-Edison High School. Youth programs from across Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom counties were invited to the fast-paced football extravaganza. Games typically lasted only 15-20 minutes before teams would rotate and immediately begin playing a new opponent.

The quick turnaround and lack of prep for their opponents made the stakes low and competition high; yielding plenty of moments for Tucker to shine. Casual sideline observers could easily distinguish Tucker from the myriad of other players and teams because of his signature twin braids.

“I’m proud of Tucker for embracing his Native American heritage through his hair,” shared Tucker’s mom, Jerry Davis. “He’s known as the boy with the braid by other baseball teams in our area because he’s a pretty good baseball player and having a braid is something that stands out. I thought it would be cool if he went with two braids for football.”

Living in Sedro-Woolley, one could imagine a boy with a braid is a rare sight, let alone two braids. As Tucker continues to develop his athletic potential in multiple sports, traveling near and far, his braids are something that can always serve as his connection to tribe and community.

In fact, that connection will take on an entirely new meaning come September 7. On that summer morning, Tucker’s Concrete Lions will host the Tulalip Hawks.

“Baseball is my favorite sport. I really wanted to try out for football because it’s a cool sport and some of my teammates from baseball play on this team. I also love running and in football I get to run around, a lot,” said Tucker following the jamboree. “Playing wide receiver is fun because I get to run on almost every play. There are so many routes to run, like posts, slants, and go routes.”

Regardless of which route he’s runing, the desired result is always the same – a catch in the open field with nothing but day light in front of him. 

Submitted by Christina Parker, Tulalip tribal member

Our 11 year old son Sage Parker aka “Savage Sage” has been competing in the UTV Takeover events for a few years. In April, Sage was at a race competition and ended up having a pretty intense roll, he flipped 3 times and totaled his cage and caused other damage on his car. We had to scramble to get his car rebuilt for the UTV Takeover Event that he practices for year around that started June 25. 

Thankfully we were successful in getting his car repaired and ready for the events. Sage competed in the “Huckfest” competition on June 29. There is not a youth class for Sage to compete in, so he’s competing against grown adults. 

There were so many cars that showed up to compete, they were able to break the competition into two classes, one for cars with Turbo and a NA Class (non-turbo). All of his hard work paid off and Sage won 1^st place in the non-turbo class and jumped 82 feet. The 2^nd place winner in non turbo class got 64 feet. 

I have a lot of videos of it from the inside of his car, outside of his car and my  perspective of the video, it’s fantastic! Sage is the youngest in the history of this sport to compete and win this competition and we believe he’s the only Native American competing in this sport. 

  Sage is an athlete/ambassador with the UTV Takeover Team and has two more events for 2024. September 3thru September 8 at Winchester Bay Dunes in Oregon and October 15 thru October 20 at Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane Utah.