Humanitarian recognition- Athletes for Kids

In 2001, Ken and Liz Moscaret were looking for a way to connect their son with his peers, a process that was made more difficult by his Tourette’s Syndrome.

The result was Athletes for Kids, a Sammamish-based organization that connects prep athletes from local high schools with developmentally or physically disabled youth in the area.

The program has given countless youngsters in the area a new perspective and made heroes of local athletes.

Rest of the best: Community Integration Services

Comeback Story of the Year- Pat Beecher

It wasn’t easy for Pat Beecher to deal with losing his sight to a pair of genetic ocular conditions. But thanks to golf, the transition is more manageable.

Beecher, an Army veteran, was dealing with increasingly debilitating isolation after his sight cost him a driver’s license and much of his independence before some urging from his cohorts at the VA hospital showed him getting on the course can be a life-changing experience, even if it can be tough to spot the ball down course.

People of the Year- Anthony Sanelli and Dustin Cramer

2,650 miles made up the journey of a lifetime for the two Issaquah High School grads, who decided to hike from Mexico to Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail.

The two began the trip together before parting ways and eventually rejoining and faced bears, snowstorms and 10,000 feet changes in elevation along the way.

Rest of the best: Patrick Moriarty, youth skateboarder; Libby Ludlow and Jilyne Higgins, ZGirls camps

Game of the Year- Skyline over Issaquah in girls soccer 4A state title game and Eastlake over Skyline soccer in boys 4A state title game

The 4A state soccer tournaments were for local bragging rights and a state title in the spring and fall, as Eastlake topped Skyline 2-0 in the boys championship game before the Spartans picked-off rival Issaquah 1-0 in girls soccer.

Rest of the best: 3A state title baseball game; 3A state title football game; Lakeside baseball American Legion 18U National Title game

Surprise of the year- Eastside Catholic makes title games in baseball and football

Entering the year, Eastside Catholic had never been to a state championship game in football or baseball.

But a new group of Crusaders changed all of that this year, as the baseball team beat Mount Vernon, Timberline and Kelso in the 3A state tournament after winning the Metro League title and the football team ran through Kelso, Marysville-Pilchuck and University (Spokane) after taking the conference crown with a blowout win over Nathan Hale.

Rest of the best: Eastlake girls hoops makes state; Eastside Catholic makes first title game appearance in football and baseball; Dales steps down, Wolves make run