Lake Stevens’ Macray Flanders (left) (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Lake Stevens’ Macray Flanders (left) (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

The Herald’s 2022-23 Boys High School Athlete of the Year finalists

A look at the award winner and four other finalists from nominations submitted by local athletic directors.

The Herald asked each local athletic director to nominate an athlete from their school for our 2022-23 Boys High School Athlete of the Year award.

From the nominees, we selected a winner and four other finalists. Here’s a look at each of those athletes:

BOYS ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Ryder Bumgarner, sr., Stanwood

Stanwood’s Ryder Bumgarner (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Stanwood’s Ryder Bumgarner (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Bumgarner was a two-sport athlete who set multiple school rushing records while leading the Stanwood football program to its first run of back-to-back state playoff appearances. He was a first-team All-Wesco 3A North selection at running back and linebacker, and was the only player to be selected The Herald’s All-Area first teams on both offense and defense. He ran for a school-record 2,486 yards and 25 TDs and had 56 tackles and two interceptions on defense. His efforts helped the Spartans reach the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Bumgarner reached the state wrestling tournament in all three seasons it was held and capped his prep career on the mats with a third-place medal at 170 pounds at Mat Classic XXXIV. He finished his senior season 26-6 and won the Wesco 3A North title in his weight class. Bumgarner, a preferred walk-on for the University of Washington football team, graduated with a 3.95 GPA.

FOUR OTHER FINALISTS

Sean Balen, sr., Archbishop Murphy

Archbishop Murphy’s Sean Balen (7) (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Archbishop Murphy’s Sean Balen (7) (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Balen was a three-sport athlete who made school history by teaming up with his younger brother, Cole, to become the first Wildcats tennis players to reach the state tournament. The pair won the Class 2A District 1 boys tennis tournament doubles title and placed seventh at state. Balen served as a team captain while helping the Archbishop Murphy boys soccer team reach the 2A state tournament, earning first-team All-Wesco 3A/2A and first-team All-Area selections as a midfielder. The Carroll College soccer commit finished his senior season with eight goals and seven assists. He was also a member of the Wildcats’ boys basketball team and played in 21 of 25 games. Balen graduated with a 3.9 GPA and logged over 100 hours of community service.

Kody Edelbrock, sr., Monroe

Monroe’s Kody Edelbrock (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Monroe’s Kody Edelbrock (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Edelbrock was a three-sport athlete who helped the Monroe football and baseball teams reach their respective 3A state tournaments. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound senior was a key member of the Bearcats’ football squad, which won the Wesco 3A South title. He earned a first-team All-Wesco 3A South selection as a wide receiver, hauling in 44 receptions for 485 yards and four touchdowns. He added two touchdown passes. On defense, Edelbrock had nine tackles for loss and five sacks. He was named an All-Wesco 3A/2A North honorable mention in baseball, finishing the season with three doubles, one triple, 11 RBI and four stolen bases. Edelbrock was also a part of a turnaround season for the Monroe boys basketball team, which finished 16-5 after going 5-12 the season prior. Edelbrock, a George Fox University football commit, graduated with a 3.21 GPA and volunteered for the Big Heart Big Smile Foundation.

Macray Flanders, sr., Lake Stevens

Flanders was a three-sport athlete and ten-time letter winner who connected on the go-ahead field goal in the fourth quarter of the Lake Stevens football team’s state championship victory. He earned first-team All-Wesco 4A and first-team All-Area honors as a kicker, converting a season-long 42-yard field goal and 70 extra-point attempts. As a wrestler, Flanders won the Wesco 4A tournament championship at 132 pounds, placed third at regionals and qualified for Mat Classic XXXIV. He was a team captain for Vikings’ boys soccer squad and garnered a second-team All-Wesco 4A nod at forward. Flanders graduated with a 4.0 GPA, served as senior class president and was a top-10 scholar for Lake Stevens’ class of 2023.

Kellen Langford, sr., Arlington

Arlington’s Kellen Langford (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Arlington’s Kellen Langford (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Langford was a two-sport athlete and the 3A state champion in the 800 meters. The Washington State University-bound standout set the Eagles’ program record in the event with a time of 1 minute, 51.67 seconds. He also placed fifth at state in the 1600 and was a member of Arlington’s fourth-place 4×400 relay squad. Langford’s senior postseason in track included Wesco 3A North and 3A District 1 championships in the 800, 1600 and 4×400 relay. In the fall, he won the Wesco 3A North cross country individual title and also helped Arlington win the team title. Langford finished as the runner-up at the 3A District 1 meet and placed 31st at state. He served as Arlington’s ASB president and participated in the school’s unified sports programs, which give students with disabilities the opportunity to compete in soccer and basketball.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Marysville-Getchell senior Abdala Hassani dribbles upfield before scoring his first of two goals in the Chargers' 2-0 win against Snohomish in Marysville, Washington on April 25, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Abdala Hassani scores twice for Marysville-Getchell boys soccer

Laith Al-Bahathly gets shutout in first varsity start, a 2-0 win against Snohomish.

Prep roundup for Friday, April 25

Eight area hammer throwers place top 10 at Eason Invitational.

Prep boys soccer roundup for Friday, April 25

Edmonds-Woodway hands Lake Stevens its first loss of the season.

Kamiak’s Emma Stansfield slides into home to score after the ball misses the glove of Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood during the 4A district championship on Friday, May 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball roundup for Friday, April 25

Kamiak closes in on Glacier Peak’s league lead on Emma Stansfield’s late home run.

Lake Stevens’ Aspen Alexander shouts after tallying the tying run in a win over Jackson on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Friday, April 25

Aspen Alexander hits triple, HR to lead another Lake Stevens comeback.

Offensive lineman Grey Zabel participates in a drill during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2025, in Indianapolis. (Stacy Revere / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Seahawks draft much-needed offensive lineman in first round

Seattle GM John Schneider stays at pick 18, drafts Grey Zabel of North Dakota State

Horses dash from the starting gate in the 2024 Longacres Mile at Emerald Downs. This year's Mile is scheduled for Aug. 17. (Photo courtesy of Doug Parry)
Emerald Downs opens Sunday

The Auburn track looks to benefit from California closures.

Lake Stevens’ Julian Wilson runs out of the box on a base knock during a game on Saturday, May 4, 2024, in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Thursday, April 24

A late comeback nets Lake Stevens a key league win.

Michael Arroyo of the Everett AquaSox is surrounded by teammates after his walk-off home run against Vancouver at Funko Filed on Thursday, April 24, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Shari Sommerfeld, Everett AquaSox)
Arroyo hits walkoff homer for AquaSox

The Everett AquaSox defeated the Vancouver Canadians 4-3 in walk-off… Continue reading

Zabel plans to bring farm toughness to Seattle

True to his on-the-farm nature, Grey Zabel was rising early, grinding hard… Continue reading

Prep roundup for Thursday, April 24

Doubles domination powers Kamiak girls tennis to win.

Prep softball roundup for Thursday, April 24

Walkoff single powers Arlington to comeback win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.