Student athletes recognized for work ethic and selflessness

The Issaquah Rotary Club honored five students from three area high schools as “athletes of the year” at its Tuesday, May 28 luncheon. “It’s really an honor for these students, and an honor for us to recognize them,” said past Rotary president Janet Barry. Tiger Mountain Community High School senior Vladi Mnatsakanov was honored for playing with the Liberty High School Rugby Football Club. He hopes to one day play rugby for the U.S. national team. He’s also interested in firefighting and construction work. Liberty High School seniors Eric Etter and Kelsey Werre were also recognized. Etter was honored by his football coach, Steve Valach, who described him as a “three-sport athlete who excels in the classroom, in the field and in the community.” He was lauded as a strong leader on the team and role model for younger students, and an excellent student who takes honors and AP classes. He will be attending Wheaton College in Chicago in the fall. Werre was recognized for her dedication to the track and field team, for which she attended every practice, even when she was injured and could not compete. Her coach praised her ability to be a “leader for the entire team ... (and) selfless and devoted.” She will be attending Gonzaga University in the fall on a full-ride soccer scholarship, and hopes to become a physician’s assistant. Issaquah High School seniors Ryan Tiernan and Johanna Carr were also celebrated. Tiernan was recognized for his participation in football and track and field, and is described as “one of our top point scorers in every meet.” His positive attitude and “can-do” attitude were praised, as well as his academic successes. Tiernan will be attending the University of Washington in the fall, where he plans to major in business. Carr was honored as the school’s “number one sprinter (for) all four years ... (with a) work ethic second to none.” Coaches praised her commitment to the team, and her place on two record-holding relay teams. She will be attending the University of Washington in the fall, where she has a scholarship to sprint for the Huskies track team, and hopes to study communication or business.

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