By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
During a 16-year tenure at La Conner High, coach Peter Voorhees has repeatedly deflected credit for the Braves’ success from himself to his athletes and assistant coaches.
But now, after an historic 2026 track and field campaign that saw the La Conner girls team capture the program’s first-ever Washington state 2B crown, Voorhees can no longer avoid much-deserved attention.
Based on guiding the Braves on their championship run as well as a career steadfastly devoted to student achievement in academics and athletics, the Skagit Valley Herald has tabbed Voorhees as its Coach of the Year.
La Conner Schools Superintendent David Cram last week lauded Voorhees, who is a social studies and culinary arts teacher, for his leadership, noting how more than two dozen Braves thinclads qualified for the state tournament in Yakima this season.
“Peter does a great job,” Cram said. “I was amazed when I heard that we had 25 kids going to state this year. I remember in the past we’d have 10 or 12 going, including alternates.”
Over 40 La Conner students participated in track and field in 2026, reflecting Voorhees’ commitment to providing opportunities for all student-athletes.
“Everybody has something to offer, a chance to realize success,” Voorhees told La Conner Community News before the ‘26 season. “If they’re willing to work hard, they can contribute, and it’s exciting to see where they can go.”
Those contributions extend from the classroom and athletic arena to public service. La Conner track team members volunteered weekly at the Braves Hub after-school program this past spring, part of Voorhees’ emphasis on community outreach.
At La Conner, Voorhees has instilled his vision for student-athletes to be successful both on and off-campus.
“I think part of my job is to expand the kids’ perspective and say, ‘Yes, this (track and field) is a mostly individual sport, but you’re part of a bigger community,’” he said in an interview with the Herald’s Milo Whitman.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
