Spring sports season is officially underway, but, as is often the case in March in the Pacific Northwest, the weather has not been cooperative, forcing a number of games to be canceled.
Despite the fits and starts to the schedule, Blaine baseball held opening day on March 12, and boys soccer kicked off its season on March 13, though both teams are still searching for that first win.
To round off the Borderites’ winter sports season, five athletes and one coach were honored by the Northwest Conference (NWC) for their efforts over the season.
Blaine girls bowling head coach Matt McAuley was named NWC girls bowling coach of the year after leading the team to a District 1 2A/1A championship and an appearance in the 2A/1A state championship.
This year saw Blaine’s second consecutive state championship berth, second consecutive district championship and second consecutive Academic State Championship, recognizing achievements in the classroom and the lanes.
In just a few years since the inception of the girls bowling team, McAuley has created a perennial contender, and a team that finds joy in the game and each other.
“There’s a great team feel,” McAuley told The Northern Light after winning the District Championship in February. “They want to be around each other and spend time with each other. They’re friends off the lanes as well. That friend aspect of the team is important.”
Senior bowler Ainslee Ellis was named First-Team All-Conference, an honor shared among only three other bowlers. Ellis led the team in points, and finished with the team’s highest ranking in the state championship in 2025 and 2026.
Senior Mackenzie Schreiner and junior Nevaeh Zaddack also earned honorable mentions in the All-Conference ballot.
In basketball, four Borderite seniors — two from each team — were named to the All-Conference team. From the boys team, Kai Kerwin and Landon Melton earned All-NWC honors. From the girls team, Brietta Sandell and Aaliyah Bowman represented Blaine.
All four participated in the Whatcom All Star Game at Lynden High School on March 13, an annual tradition where the county’s best individual players compete in a friendly exhibition match.
While neither team reached the 1A State Tournament, both performed exceptionally well in one of the most competitive counties in the state, which saw three teams (Lummi Nation boys, Lynden Christian boys and Lynden girls) win state championships in 2026.
Blaine baseball held opening day on the road against Squalicum on March 12, losing 9-4 in a blustery game that saw walks from both teams’ pitching staffs.
The Borderites led 2-1 by the bottom of the fourth inning, but ended up loading the bases with three consecutive walks. Squalicum had its big inning in the fourth, putting up eight runs and running away with its first win of the season.
Junior Aaron Garza had a promising start at the plate, going 1-3 with a double, and fellow junior Josh Cochran went 1-3 with a walk.
The Borderites’ next scheduled game was against Sultan on March 16, but it was canceled due to rain and won’t be made up later in the season, said Blaine Athletic Director Chas Kok.
Up next for the Borderites’ is a 4 p.m. March 18 game on the road against Burlington-Edison (after press time). The team’s next shot at a home opener — weather permitting — is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. March 24 at Pipeline Fields against Ferndale.
Stats provided by whatcompreps.com
After the first two games of the season ended in losses, Blaine boys soccer is still searching for its first win. The team dropped its season opener 5-1 on March 13 at Oak Harbor and fell 5-0 to Lakewood on March 16.
In the Oak Harbor game, Blaine trailed 2-0 by halftime, and allowed a pair of quick goals to start the second half. The Borderites scored its first goal of the season on a header from junior Rogin Trangia from a corner kick, but it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback.
At home against Lakewood, it was a similar fate. The Borderites allowed two goals in the final 10 minutes of the first half and were unable to mount a comeback, allowing another three in the second half for a 5-0 loss.
Blaine will play at 7 p.m. March 18 at Squalicum (after press time) and return home to face Lynden Christian at 7 p.m. March 20 at Borderite Stadium.
Stats provided by whatcompreps.com
