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 Squalicum High School seniors Tyler Nielsen and Bernadine Salvatierra.
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Catch up on stories from the 2023 spring season
TYLER NIELSEN
Senior, Distance Runner, Boys Track and Field
You’re regularly competing against some of the best athletes in the state before the postseason. How does that motivate you?
You’ve just always got to bring your A-game … every meet, every race, every day, you’re just constantly reminded of the competition you’re up against and just always have to be at your best and be your sharpest.
What are your expectations for the team this season as a whole?
We’ve got some good distance guys, we’ve got some good sprinters and we got good relays. Hopefully, we can have field events scoring too, maybe. We’re just trying to rack up as many points [at state] as we can.
How do you balance academics, athletics and a social life?
That’s something I’m kind of working on a lot, you know? Just making sure I have a good work-life balance, where I also am rested enough where I fully get the benefit of sport and stuff and fully improve. That one can be tricky, but it’s kind of a work in progress.
BERNADINE SALVATIERRA
Senior, Singles, Girls Tennis
How did not earning a medal at state last year motivate you for this season?
It was my first time at state so there’s a lot of pressure, and it did kind of tear me down after it for awhile. It took me a little bit to kind of get on my feet, but I was like, ‘I went to state. I can come here again and I can push myself harder.’
That pushed me and motivated me throughout the offseason to kind of be where I am now.
How did you become interested in tennis?
My dad. He learned tennis in Saudi Arabia, before he moved to the states. He was there working, but then when he moved here and had me and my brother, we would all just go to the courts and hit together. It started with him.
What are your plans for after high school?
I got into the nursing program and tennis program at Dominican [University]. It’s a [Division II] school. So, hopefully, I’m there.
Visit CDN’s prep sports previews page every Tuesday and Friday until April 19 to learn about more Whatcom County athletes.
