SPORTS
By Neil Macdonald

Farmer, Armstrong named MVP
Kevin Farmer was named the 2002 Borderite boys golf team’s Most Valuable Player; C. J. Stauffer, the boys team’s Most Improved Player, and Jeanette Armstrong, the girls team’s MVP.
Boys MVP Farmer, a junior, celebrated a great season. He shot 77-77 – 154 to go from a three-way tie for sixth after the first day to finish third at State. He crossed the course with a 76 to end one stroke back of the winner at the Whatcom County Championships for the Birger Solberg Memorial Cup and carded another 76 to finish second at District, two strokes short of first place. His 78.9 season’s scoring average was the lowest and the best for the boys team.
Stauffer and Armstrong didn’t put up Farmer’s numbers, but they definitely deserved their awards. Armstrong, a senior, went out every week – the lone female golfer representing her school. Being a team of one is no walk in the park. She finished the season shooting a 128 at District, missing the cut for State.
“C.J. started on the varsity, but he didn’t qualify for our first few matches so he went down,” Blaine golf coach Steve Barthlow explained, “but by the end of the season he was back up with the varsity, playing well and helping us in the NCC and at District.” Reflecting on Stauffer’s rapid rise, Barthlow added, “I’m really excited for his prospects over the next three years.”.

Bianchi, Hamburg, Farmer win athletic awards
Scott Bianchi, a junior, was named the Most Valuable Player on Blaine boys tennis team.
Jake Hamburg, a senior, was the winner of the Most Inspirational Player award and Justin Farmer, a freshman, was the Most Improved Player award winner.
“Bianchi worked harder than any player I’ve ever coached,” coach John Freal said. “That work should help him immensely next year.”
Bianchi just missed going to State, finishing fourth at Tri-District on May 16. He made it to State in 2001, but did not place. He won the High School A Boys Singles Championships at the Bellingham Tennis Club’s winter junior tournament on February 17, 2002, edging his opponent 7-6, 7-6 in a pair of tie-breakers.
Hamburg teamed with C.J. Stauffer to finish second at Sub-District. Farmer played both singles and doubles in his first year as a varsity Borderite..

Anderson stars in interstate game
Blaine’s Craig Anderson, the first Borderite chosen to play in the Washington-Oregon All-State series since its inauguration in 1996, helped Washington defeat Oregon 8-2 and 9-7 in the annual doubleheader on June 22 at Hudson Bay High School in Vancouver, WA.
Anderson went 1-for-4, scored two runs, drew two walks, got a stolen base and came up with a defensive gem to conclude a season of excellence.
He posted a .442 season’s batting average and a .714 slugging average (12 doubles and 3 homers), picked up 20 stolen bases in 23 attempts and had a 2-1 win-loss record as a relief hurler (23 K’s, 8 BB’s in 15 2/3 innings).
Anderson, who is headed for Columbia Basin Community College where he is expected to play second base, had an outstanding year at Blaine in 2002. He was selected for the June 22 inter-state games (which featured a majority of players from 3A and 4A schools) after exhibiting excellence afield and at bat in the Class 1A/2A/B All-State baseball games on June 8 at Eastmont High in East Wenatchee.

Neil's Notes
Luke Ridnour Honored
June was declared Luke Ridnour Month in honor of the best basketball player ever to graduate from Blaine high school. The announcement was made at the Blaine school district’s board of directors Meeting on June 17.

Simpson in All-State Game
Borderite running back Zeth Simpson was one of six North Cascade Conference football players selected to represent the West in the annual Class 2A/B East-West all-state football game at Yakima on June 22.

Taggard Qualifies
Blaine amateur James Taggard, who plays out of Semiahmoo, shot a 2-under 70 at the Tacoma CC&G on June 17 to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open slated for June 27 at Caves Valley GC in Baltimore.

Jorgensen Wins
Blaine pro Chris Jorgensen carded 69-68 for a 7-under 137 to win a Cascade Tour event on June 18-19 at Port Ludlow Golf & Country Club. .

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