In 2022, Whatcom County athletes tallied 24 state titles during the spring season alone. Last season they earned 25. Could 26 be on the horizon in 2024? Spring sports mark the return to the outdoors — often with frequent weather-related hiccups in the early season. Snow flurries, torrential downpours and gray, windy days make “spring” sports challenging. But that’s part of the ride.
[ Whatcom County spring athletes have big shoes to fill in 2024 ]
In today’s story, learn about Ferndale High School senior Baylor Larrabee and junior Kaelin Blakley.
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Catch up on stories from the 2023 spring season
BAYLOR LARRABEE
Senior, Boys golf
After winning a state title last season, what do you have left to prove?
Just competing like always. [I don’t] really stick to one goal. I’m just always trying to get better — just kind of building upon it. But we’ll see what we can do this year. Nothing is really guaranteed before the season.
Where do you get the most enjoyment from high school golf?
Golf is an individual sport, so high school golf, I get to play with a lot of friends and kids that I don’t usually get to play with. I get to go to team practices and stuff like that instead of practicing on my own.
That’s a big part of high school golf that is a lot of fun is getting to have those relationships with teammates that normally aren’t there when you play in the summer and individual stuff.
How long have you been playing golf? What first interested you in it?
Since I was four. My grandpa and my dad kind of brought me into it …. I would always go out with them on the course in the evenings and stuff — go hit balls. I’ve always loved it since then.
KAELIN BLAKLEY
Junior, Softball, Catcher
How is your role changing this season?
I’m trying my best to just help [younger players] out where I can. They appreciate that, you know, they’ve said that they appreciate the tips. I just think creating the bond with the younger kids and the upperclassmen really helps make a team better and stronger.
What skills do you hope to focus on and improve this season?
My biggest thing is offense this year; hitting. I didn’t really have a great fall season for my select team and so I was working really hard during the offseason, during the winter and then even now that we’re in-season.
I’m a Running Start student, so I only have one class on certain days, and then in between the end of that class and before practice starts, I’ll go to the [batting] cages and hit more … I really want to make sure that I’m fully prepared for this season, because hitting is also my favorite.
What are your plans for after high school?
It’s not official yet, but I’ve been talking to a couple of schools. I’ve talked to Central [Washington], Saint Martin’s and, recently, Western. I think right now, the top option is Western. It’s home … I’ve always lived in the Bellingham-Ferndale area, and it’s around all my family and everybody that I know. I love the team, the coach is amazing and the program is also amazing.
Visit CDN’s prep sports previews page every Tuesday and Friday until April 19 to learn about more Whatcom County athletes.
