![FHS Fall 2024 Sports Preview]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1724081630/ferndalesdorg/eqrr5fglsdugi7x6ccqz/FallSportsPreviewGroupGraphicV2.png","width":1920}])
FHS Fall 2024 Sports Preview
The Golden Eagles' fall sports season launches on Friday, Sept. 6 with our football and volleyball teams' opening matches! Our other teams begin competitive play later in September. In celebration of the season, we interviewed one standout senior or junior from each team (as selected by their coaches) to talk about their goals for the season and why they love their sport.
BOYS' CROSS COUNTRY
Last Season: The Golden Eagles sent sophomore Sam Andres to the state XC meet in Pasco, and our entire varsity team competed in the district meet in Smokey Point.
Senior Henry Huynh
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I've been promoted to one of the three captains this year, so a big thing for me is fulfilling that duty. I want to make sure everyone on the team has a great experience.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: I'd really like to step it up in terms of bringing my times down this year. I'm hoping for a sub-20 minute 5K time.
Q: Why do you love cross country?
A: For me, the best part of cross country is the time you get to spend with your teammates. Cross country is a mental battle, so doing it to keep in shape, but also stay disciplined, is another thing I like.
Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
A: The greatest soccer player of all time, Lionel Messi. (Editor's note: Huynh is also on the boys' soccer team.) The way that he plays is so fun to watch.
GIRLS' CROSS COUNTRY
Last Season: Junior Katie Manly reached the state meet in Pasco, finishing with a 5K time just under 21 minutes. Our entire varsity team competed in the district meet in Smokey Point.
Senior Katie Manly
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I'm excited to finish my season strong and hopefully get an offer to run in college.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: I'm hoping to reach a sub-19 minute time in the 5K, and to get back to state.
Q: Why do you love cross country?
A: I love being able to run with all my teammates. I've met so many friends during cross country and track, it's great hanging out with them and going out on group runs.
Q: Are there any other runners who you look up to or admire?
A: I have lots of other runner friends who I look up to from other schools. I like their motivation and determination.
FOOTBALL
Last season: In their first home season at the new Golden Eagles Stadium, FHS football earned an 8-3 record and reached the state playoffs for the second year in a row. Three student-athletes were named to the 3A WESCO North First Team -- seniors Conner Walcker and Camden Raymond for both offense and defense, and junior Talan Bungard for defense -- and three more were named to the WESCO North Second Team -- Bungard for offense, junior Jacob Gandy for defense, and senior Kellan LaFave for both.
Senior Wing/CB Eli Kennerley
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I'm looking forward to new opportunities. I think this year will be a great time to show what I'm capable of.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: I'm hoping to get onto the Whatcom County leaderboard for a few stats -- maybe kick returns or punt returns. (Editor's Note: Kennerley ranks 4th in Whatcom County among active players for punt return yardage.)
Q: Why do you love football?
A: I love the environment -- the whole city comes out and watches you play. And it's fun to be out there with your friends, doing what you love.
Q: Are there any football players that you model your game after?
A: I like (Baltimore Ravens QB) Lamar Jackson a lot. Even though he's a quarterback, the way he runs is so smooth, so I try shape my game off of him.
SIDELINE CHEER
Last season: The Golden Eagles cheer squad won numerous awards at the National Cheerleaders Association regional camp this summer, including 15 All-American Nominees and three blue ribbons for the varsity team.
CHEER WILL PERFORM AT EVERY FOOTBALL GAME
Senior Abby VanderSanden
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: The opportunity to do a halftime performance with the Lynden High School cheerleaders during the first game on September 6.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: Probably to work on my jumps; That's a big thing that we do in routines. Also, I want to help bring the team together as a captain, and to make sure that everyone respects each other. I want cheer to feel like a family that everyone can turn to.
Q: Why do you love cheer?
A: I love cheer because the environment is super welcoming. It's fun and I'd almost say bubbly -- everyone there is just so nice. The coaches are really great as well, and Ferndale cheer is just a good program.
Q: Are there any former or current teammates that you look up to?
A: Definitely (junior) Nadiya Fritz. I have watched her grow from her freshman year to her junior year, and she's become a more confident person. I've seen that happen with (senior) Cheyenne Lorenz too, they just blossomed into these really great cheerleaders. And I also really look up to my coach, Kelly Groff.
GIRLS' SOCCER
Last season: The Golden Eagles had a dominant season last fall, winning league with a 9-1-2 record and reaching the state tournament for the second time in three years (and only the third time in FHS history). The team also won a slew of Northwest Conference awards: senior Mia Kinsfather was named to the All-Conference First Team, seniors Audrey and Emily Holdridge were named Co-Offensive MVPs, senior Layne Lively was named Defensive MVP, and Rigel Weis was named Coach of the Year.
Senior Goalkeeper Jaiden O'Neill
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: I'm excited for my senior season. That's something you only get to experience once, so I'm excited to have my "first lasts" here at Ferndale High School.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: My goal is to bring the team to be its best. Hopefully, we can get to districts and maybe even state again.
Q: Why do you love soccer?
A: It's kind of like my escape from reality. Being out on that field takes my mind off of things that I'm going through; it's a break. And I love diving at people and tackling them.
Q: Is there any player you model your game after?
A: I've always strived to play like (former professional goalie) Hope Solo. She's just super aggressive and dramatic, and as a goalkeeper, you can't be scared. You have to be fierce, and mentally, you have to be okay even if you're getting scored on. You can't show your team that you're struggling.
GIRLS' SWIM
Last season: Our girls' swim program continued to improve as its team grows. Four Golden Eagles reached the District 1 swim championships in Snohomish last fall: junior Aiyanna Brown, senior Taylor George, junior Alicia James, and freshman Nevaeh Kidd.
Senior Aliyah Flowers
Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?
A: Meeting new people, and getting the chance to have a great time. It was fun last year, so it'll have to be fun again.
Q: What’s your personal goal for this year?
A: Mostly just to have fun, but also to get faster times than last year.
Q: Why do you love swim?
A: It's a very connected sport, you make friends really quick. And Ms. Julia (Landon) is an awesome coach.
Q: Are there any swimmers that you look up to?
A: Mostly my mom, Trina Flowers, because she was also a swimmer. She was amazing at the breaststroke and the butterfly.
BOYS' TENNIS
Last season: Junior Zach Nielsen represented the Golden Eagles as the #1 seed in the 3A Wesco district tennis tournament last fall.
Junior Jonas Carpenter
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: I'm looking forward to a new team after some seniors graduated. They were great, but it'll be cool to see who steps up. A lot of my opponents were also seniors, so I'm excited to play with some new people.
Q: What is your personal goal for this year?
A: The last two years, I've won more matches than I've lost, so I want to keep that streak alive. And maybe make it to districts this year -- I placed third in sub-districts last year.
Q: Why do you love tennis?
A: It's a great balance of mental focus and athleticism. It's also a pretty friendly sport -- you're opponents, but you still appreciate each others' shots.
Q: Who is your favorite tennis player?
A: Roger Federer is my all-time favorite. He's just a super nice guy; you can always see he's loving the game and giving it his all.
VOLLEYBALL
Last season: The Golden Eagles went deep into the district playoffs last fall, with the highlight being a dramatic home playoff win against Edmonds-Woodway that went down to the final set. Senior Mallory Butenschoen and freshman Brooklyn Larrabee were named to the All-Northwest Conference 2nd Team.
Senior Olivia Copps
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: I'm most looking forward to having a competitive season and growing a family bond with our team.
Q: What is your personal goal for this year?
A: My personal goal is to try and improve my skills all the way around, and not just one thing. I'd also like to grow close with every teammate.
Q: Why do you love volleyball?
A: It's not only a team sport, but you're doing what you love with the people you love.
Q: Are there any volleyball players who you look up to?
A: (FHS graduate) Mallory Butenschoen. We're very similar in the things we do in and out of school, and she's just the perfect role model. She's an amazing person and very talented, so I always strive to be like her.