When the last runner crossed the finish line it was the volunteers that made the marathon a success.  There can be no doubt about that.  A committee of Rangers board members and parents, along with partners from the Bellingham Bay Swim Team, worked nine months to coordinate the crucial elements necessary to successfully host the 2nd annual Bellingham Bay Marathon.

In the weeks leading up to the big day, the Rangers membership – families, players, coaches, and fans – all stepped up to fill a variety of vital roles.  Race Day saw more than 500 volunteers turn out before dawn, shivering in the cool morning air, to get ready for the blast of a horn that would release 1500 runners onto the streets of downtown Bellingham.

Throughout the Marathon coarse Ranger volunteers, some in the role of newly certified flaggers (volunteer parent Mike Brown is pictured), steered spectators and automobiles to maintain safety and order while the runners made their way through town, down Chuckanut Drive to Larrabee State Park, and back to the finish line at the Market Depot, where they had begun.

By 4:00 PM, it was all over.  The runners were done, the venders packed and gone, and very last to leave the Market Depot were Ranger volunteers, sweeping, cleaning, breaking down tables and tents, and returning equipment.  This was their day, and they made it happen.

Thanks to all the volunteers.  You were amazing.

Former WFC Rangers player Kirsten Salminen has been named Division One Big Sky Conference Player of the Week!   Before graduating from Lynden HS in June, Kirsten was Goal Keeper on last year's GU18 Gold roster.  As a Freshmen soccer player at UNC Kirsten has beaten out the two returning players for the starting spot on the Bears women's squad.

Kirsten's Background – 6 years with Rangers, 2007 State Champs, 2008 State Champion Finalist/Runner-up two time Far West Regional participant, graduated from Lynden HS in 2008.

Read the story.

The WFC Rangers GU-15 White team coached by Jay Olivarez beat Velocity FC Blue of Renton 2-0 to win the Marysville Strawberry Classic tournament this past weekend, August 1st through 3rd. The tournament coordinator stated at the awards ceremony that several spectators said the game was among the best soccer games they had ever seen. One person claimed that the game was as exciting as a Sounder’s game.

Team members:  Hailee Potter, Brianna Harvey, Kelly Heerspink, Cami Gates, Alyssa Saupe, Sydni Thompson, Erica Hildebrand, Hannah Burgler, Maya Hunger, Hailey Burns, Emily Bunch, Alyssa “Pickles” McElroy, Kylie Garrison, Christy Sanford.  Not Pictured:  Devon Kollmyer
Coach:  Jay Olivarez (right)
Asst. Coach:  Andy Murray (left)

Whatcom FC Rangers Boys U-17 Gold team put up a great fight in Virginia Beach this past weekend at the US Club Soccer Nationals.

On Saturday July 26, the boys had their first game against Mass Premier Soccer Bulldogs (MA). They lost 0-2 so it was a disappointing start to the tournament. We’ll blame it on jet lag!

On Sunday July 27, they came back in all their glory to win 2-1 against Triangle United 91 Silver (NC).

On Monday July 28, they played an awesome game against Columbus FC (Ohio South) but lost 0-1. The ball hit the crossbar a few times and the boys pressed until the last minute.

When all is said and done, they had a great run and felt good about their improved performance.  There were six teams playing for a place in the final match. Note should be made that the two teams we lost to (Mass Premier Soccer Bulldogs and Columbus FC) went on to the final match today. So we lost to the best!

Submitted by Lisa Langei, Team Manager 

Whatcom FC Rangers Boys U-17 Gold team appears to be unstoppable. Coached by Western Washington University’s Associate Head Coach Greg Brisbon for the last two years, the boys have finally reached the point where they believe in team first and individual second. The result is a phenomenal winning streak.

The summer tournament season started with Baker Blast in Bellingham, June 27-29. The team was not scored on once during the tournament! They won the championship match against Coquitlam Metro Ford Dynamo.
The US Club Soccer Regionals in Boise, ID were over the Fourth of July weekend. The team played in the Premier bracket for their age group and beat teams from northern California and Idaho to win this event.
Last weekend, the team won the Nike Crossfire Challenge in Redmond, WA.

On Friday, the boys head to Virginia Beach for the US Club Soccer Nationals where they face teams from Massachusetts, Ohio, and North Carolina.

 
The team members are: Logan Barnett, Max DeWees, Dylan Harrington, Dakota Huntley, George Karadimas, Brooks Kochman, Dylan Langei, Geordie Marriner, Nick McGee, Andy Mihovilovich, Jack Morgan, Ivan Ocampo, Alex Paige, Dimitri Polichronakis, Nick Rader, Matt Schmidt, and Caden Sowers.

The Adidas Beaverton Cup is one of the Northwest's premier soccer tournaments with over 230 teams competing in 2008 from throughout the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and California. The WFC Rangers GU17 Gold team participated in this tournament over the past weekend (July 18 to 20) and came in first place in their division taking home the Gold.

 Coaches were Jason Conway and Justin Nelson. Players were Hanna Wade, Danielle Lange, Gabby Nunez, Kelly Hayden, Leah Thomson, Caitlin Phillips, Stephanie Reed, Liz Paull, Brook Steinberg, Kate Bachenberg, Amy Wilson, Lindsey Gerstenkorn, Tanya Bjornsson, Daisha Zwick, Bianca Long and Katie Franz. - submitted by Susan Paull