By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
The latest chapter in a storybook season for the La Conner High School track and field program was revealed on Friday.
Much decorated senior thrower Flint Huizenga, who achieved the rare feat of twice consecutively qualifying for state trials in the javelin, discus and shot put, signed a letter of intent to compete for Whitworth University in Spokane during a year-end Athletic Director’s Assembly at Landy James Gym.
Huizenga placed third in the javelin at the State 2B Track and Field Championships in Yakima last month and, earlier in the 2026 campaign, established a new personal best and school standard with a toss of 168-1.
A Braves team captain, Huizenga joins several La Conner student-athletes who in recent years have gone on to the collegiate athletic ranks, said Principal/Director of Athletics Christine Tripp. She said that list includes Rachel Cram, who played volleyball for four years at Whitworth, and Ellie Marble, a current standout for the Central Washington University spikers.
La Conner head coach Peter Voorhees, who praised Huizenga’s work ethic and leadership, noted that Whitworth boasts one of the state’s top NCAA Division 3 track and field programs.
Huizenga was flanked by his parents, Kristin and Jason Huizenga, during the official signing ceremony.
During the 30-minute assembly, Voorhees also invited members of the state championship La Conner High girls’ team forward to be recognized.
“This is a super talented and deep group of athletes,” Voorhees said of the La Conner girls, who edged Cle Elum-Roslyn 60-58 for the state team crown at Yakima.
“They crushed it,” he continued. “This is the school’s first non-volleyball or non-Knowledge Bowl state championship. They’ll have a banner here on the wall.
“I couldn’t have been more proud to have worked with them,” Voorhees said.
Voorhees noted that the La Conner girls established multiple personal and school records this season. Among the team’s many highlights at Yakima was freshman Faith Jenkins claiming the 100 and 200 meter sprint titles, for which afterward she was named the Skagit Valley Herald Girls’ Athlete of the Week.
Senior team co-captains Maeve McCormick and Isabelle Villard were called upon to briefly address fellow students.
“State was really fun this year,” said McCormick, who finished second in the pole vault at 10-6 and ran legs of the Braves title-winning 4×100 and 4×200 relays. “It was a blessing to compete with these girls. Everyone’s so kind-hearted.
“I’m excited,” she said, turning to the team’s underclassmen, “to watch you in the future.”
Villard spoke to the daily improvement team members made from pre-season workouts in March to the state meet on the final weekend of May.
“Everybody showed amazing growth throughout the season,” Villard said. “I’m really proud of everyone.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
