Anacortes’ Riley Walgamott has led the Seahawks to a 5-0-2 record to start the 2024-25 season. The attacking center midfielder began playing soccer when he could walk.
Walgamott played club soccer until high school, where he began playing football, too. However, soccer has always been his biggest passion.
“My love for the game — I can’t describe it, but there is something about it,” Walgamott said. “It has always been there for me and [is] something I can rely on. If I ever feel bad or down at some time, I can go down to the field and take my stress away by shooting around.”
The senior midfielder also shares his passion with his mother, who played the sport growing up.
“Some parents never played the sports their kids played, so they don’t know what it is like,” Walgamott said. “She played in Colorado and they won four state championships in a row when she was there. She knows what it is like being competitive and being an athlete.”
Walgamott, who was named second team all-conference last season, battled through some injuries before becoming an impact player. He missed his entire freshman season with a torn labrum and was forced to watch from the sidelines.
“I struggled with that,” Walgamott said. “I still helped the team by managing, taking film and everything. It made me more motivated the last few years.”
This season, he aims to be named the Northwest Conference MVP and has shown signs already, scoring a couple of goals against Ferndale in both teams’ season opener. He is also hoping to motivate his team and make a run at a state title.
“I need to keep pushing everybody and make sure they are level-headed and focused on our goals and not themselves,” Walgamott said. “We have a big freshman class this year so leading all those guys and make sure they are leaders when they are at where I am at.”
Once Walgamott graduates, he will play at Cal State Maritime Academy in Vallejo, CA.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
