Skagit Valley College Athletics Celebrates a Historic 2024–2025 Season
Skagit Valley College Athletics experienced a truly memorable and successful 2024–2025 academic year, marked by historic achievements, program growth, and deep community engagement. From conference championships to academic honors, our student-athletes and coaches continued to set a high standard of excellence—both on and off the field.
Championship Moments & Program Milestones
The standout story of the year belonged to the Volleyball program, which captured its first-ever NWAC Championship and North Region title under the direction of Head Coach Joe Amaral. His exceptional leadership earned him NWAC Coach of the Year honors, while Hayden Claeys was recognized as the Baden NWAC Player of the Year—a reflection of the program's incredible season and elite status within the NWAC.
Both Women's and Men's Soccer had strong postseason runs. Coach Tony Savoy led the women's team to its fourth consecutive NWAC Championship appearance, continuing an impressive streak. Meanwhile, Coach Henderson guided the men's team to its first NWAC Championship appearance under his leadership, marking a major milestone for the program.
In basketball, both teams reached the NWAC Championship Tournament. Coach Deb Castle, honored for her 30th year at SVC, led her team through a competitive North Region. On the men's side, Coach Carl Howell and his team spent over 10 weeks ranked #1 in the NWAC, captured the North Division title, and made a deep tournament run. Sylas Williams was honored as the Baden NWAC Men's Basketball Player of the Year after a stellar season.
Golf, Softball & Baseball Continue Their Rise
The Men's and Women's Golf programs, guided by Coaches Daniele Graber and Kalan Smith, continued their upward trajectory. Ava Draf, Erin Pierce, and Zach Hansen qualified individually for the NWAC Golf Championships, highlighting the program's competitive progress.
The Softball program, under Coach Brooke Writer, recorded a 10-game improvement from the previous season. Her positive impact and leadership—along with her assistant coach's support—left a lasting impression on the program. As she steps down, we extend our heartfelt thanks for her contributions to Cardinal Softball.
Looking ahead, we're excited to welcome our new Head Softball Coach Lance Lopez and Assistant Coach Savannah Smith, a former Cardinal. Their combined experience and passion will help guide the next chapter of SVC Softball.
Baseball, led by Coach Grady Tweit, continued its consistent success with a top-four finish in the North Region and a return to the NWAC Super Regionals—the program's third consecutive postseason appearance.
Academic Excellence & Community Impact
Our commitment to developing the complete student-athlete remained a top priority. Five athletic programs recorded team GPAs of 3.1 or higher, and numerous student-athletes are on track to graduate and transfer to four-year institutions, continuing their academic and athletic journeys.
Equally impressive was our commitment to giving back. Across Skagit County, student-athletes logged hundreds of hours of volunteer service. One of the year's highlights was the Field Day Clinic on June 11, where we welcomed local K–8 students from the Boys & Girls Club and Children of the Valley for a fun and interactive day of games, mentorship, and connection with SVC athletes.
Looking Ahead
As we prepare for the upcoming year, we are thrilled to welcome Coach David Dunham as our new Head Women's Golf Coach. He will work alongside Coach Graber to continue building a championship-caliber program.
We are incredibly proud of the dedication, resilience, and achievements of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff throughout the 2024–2025 season. With momentum, pride, and purpose, Skagit Valley College Athletics looks forward to an even brighter 2025–2026.
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Fall Sports Begin August 1st!
Skagit Valley College Fall Sports officially kick off on August 1, with athletic contests beginning August 22.
For the latest schedules, scores, and updates, follow us on social media or visit:
👉 skagit.edu/athletics
For more information and updates, please visit the social media links below or skagit.edu/athletics.
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