Editor’s note: Welcome to Connor’s Picks, the new and improved version of Cascadia Daily News’ weekly sports calendar. Each week, I will highlight three to four games or events that I think the community should attend or know about.
Attendance is key. If it’s a game or event far away from Whatcom and Skagit counties, it won’t be at the top of the calendar — even if it’s one I wish I could be at myself.
The original calendar is still here and always will be. It just got better.
CONNOR’S PICKS
Football: Sehome at Mount Baker
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, Mount Baker High School
Two Whatcom County teams that were among the Northwest Conference’s best a year ago in a non-league, season-opening contest? Yes, please.
Mount Baker lost plenty of seniors after its 1A state championship loss last season but retained enough veteran leadership to make for an intriguing early-season watch.
Sehome was on the rise in the 2A NWC before a team hazing-induced forfeit cost them a playoff spot late in the year. The Mariners will be led by new head coach and former Squalicum assistant, Brian Young.
The game won’t go on either team’s league record at this point in the season, but it’s the only time the two squads will meet this year.
Football: Ferndale at Lynden
7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, Lynden High School
Each year, this non-league game is as hotly contested as it gets.
It’s a matchup between friends, foes and family members (literally) that is more for bragging rights than a positive start to the season. Lynden won last year, 24-7, for the first time since 2019 before both teams went on to have stellar seasons.
This year, Lynden is coming off its second straight 2A state championship while Ferndale may be in the middle of a rebuild. The Golden Eagles lost a fair bit of senior leadership, so this contest will be a good gauge of the team’s residual and added talent.
If you’re looking to watch some early-season high school football, this is a great primer.
Recreation: Ride the Teal Wave, Paddling for a Cure in Bellingham Bay
12:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, Community Boating Center
Back for its second run, this paddling event aims to “raise awareness and research funding for low-grade ovarian cancer,” according to its website.
The event welcomes kayakers, stand-up paddleboarders, canoers or operators of any other nonmotorized watercraft to paddle around Bellingham and enjoy a drink and snack afterward at Skylark’s Hidden Cafe.
Organizer Kari Neumeyer began the event last year to celebrate a two-year, cancer-free diagnosis. The event’s proceeds go to the STAAR Ovarian Cancer Foundation.
FULL CALENDAR
Friday, Aug. 25
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals, 7:10 p.m., Apple TV
Recreation
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
LGBTQ+ Stand-Up Paddle Board Session, 5:30 p.m., Community Boating Center
FriYay Night Bags (cornhole), 6 p.m., Volli Bellingham
Saturday, Aug. 26
WWU
Men’s soccer vs. University of Victoria, 1 p.m., Harrington Field
Volleyball Intrasquad Scrimmage, 3:30 p.m., Carver Gymnasium
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals, 1:10 p.m., Root Sports
NFL
Seattle Seahawks at Green Bay Packers (preseason), 10 a.m., KING 5
Recreation
Kayak the Cove Tour, 10 a.m., Larrabee State Park
Lake Padden Relay, 10 a.m., Lake Padden Park
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
WMBC Whatcom World Cup 10, 5 p.m., Galbraith Mountain
Sunday, Aug. 27
WNBA
Seattle Storm vs. Chicago Sky, 3 p.m., Fox/Amazon Prime Video
NWSL
OL Reign at Angel City FC, 5 p.m., Paramount+
MLS
Seattle Sounders at Minnesota United FC, 1:30 p.m., Apple TV
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Kansas City Royals, 1:10 p.m., Root Sports
Recreation
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
Monday, Aug. 28
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics, 6:40 p.m., Root Sports
Recreation
Kayak the Cove Tour, 10 a.m., Larrabee State Park
All Comer’s Track and Field, 6 p.m., Civic Stadium
Tuesday, Aug. 29
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics, 6:40 p.m., Root Sports
Wednesday, Aug. 30
MLS
Seattle Sounders at Austin FC, 5:30 p.m., Apple TV
MLB
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics, 1:10 p.m., Root Sports
Thursday, Aug. 31
WWU
Volleyball at Regis University, 12 p.m., Coussoulis Arena
Men’s soccer at Sonoma State University, 4 p.m., Seawolf Soccer Stadium
Women’s soccer at Biola University, 7 p.m., Al Barbour Field
Volleyball at Cal State San Bernardino, 7 p.m., Coussoulis Arena
WNBA
Seattle Storm at Los Angeles Sparks, 7 p.m., Fox/Amazon Prime Video
Recreation
Kayak the Cove Tour, 10 a.m., Larrabee State Park
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
BBAY Pub Run to Schweinhaus, 6 p.m., BBAY Running
Friday, Sept. 1
Football
Nooksack Valley at Mountain View, 4:30 p.m., McKenzie Stadium
Lynden Christian at Lakeside (9 Mile Falls), 7 p.m.
Granite Falls at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Sehome at Mount Baker, 7 p.m.
Port Angeles at Blaine, 7 p.m.
Ferndale at Lynden, 7 p.m.
New Westminster (B.C.) at Squalicum, 7 p.m., Civic Stadium
WWU
Volleyball at Cal State LA, 5 p.m., Coussoulis Arena
MLB
Seattle Mariners at New York Mets, 4:10 p.m., Apple TV
Recreation
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
Saturday, Sept. 2
Football
Cleveland at Bellingham, 1 p.m., Civic Stadium
WWU
Cross country at Puget Sound Invitational, 11 a.m., Fort Steilacoom Park
Volleyball at MSU Denver, 2:30 p.m., Coussoulis Arena
Men’s soccer at Chico State, 7 p.m., University Soccer Stadium
WNBA
Seattle Storm at Las Vegas Aces, 6 p.m., Fox/Amazon Prime Video
MLS
Seattle Sounders vs. Portland Timbers, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV
MLB
Seattle Mariners at New York Mets, 4:10 p.m., Root Sports
Recreation
PITCH Regatta, 10 a.m., Bellingham Yacht Club
Kayak the Cove Tour, 10 a.m., Larrabee State Park
Lake Padden Relay, 10 a.m., Lake Padden Park
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
Sunday, Sept. 3
NWSL
OL Reign vs. Racing Louisville FC, 7 p.m., CBS Sports
MLB
Seattle Mariners at New York Mets, 10:40 a.m., Root Sports
Recreation
PITCH Regatta, 10 a.m., Bellingham Yacht Club
Chuckanut Coastal Paddleboard Tour, 12 p.m., Larrabee State Park
Ride the Teal Wave, 12:30 p.m., Community Boating Center
CDN’s sports calendar is published online each Thursday and in print on Fridays. To submit an event for consideration, email connorbenintendi@cascadiadaily.com.
