Tahoma Bear is the first Female Athlete of the Year

Just starting her career as a freshman, Kaiea Higa wins community’s vote

By Kayse Angel • June 7, 2019 5:30 pm
Photo by Kayse Angel Kaiea Higa (right), a freshman fast pitch player for the Tahoma High School Bears, won the first ever Female Athlete of the Year award from the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter. She received a special plaque from the Reporter’s editor Danielle Chastaine (left).
Photo by Kayse Angel Kaiea Higa (right), a freshman fast pitch player for the Tahoma High School Bears, won the first ever Female Athlete of the Year award from the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter. She received a special plaque from the Reporter’s editor Danielle Chastaine (left).

It’s not often freshmen get recognized for their hard work and dedication for a sport they participate it.

Tahoma freshman Kaiea Higa was honored to find out she was the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter’s Female Athlete of the Year, as voted by community members.

Kaiea said it was shocking at first, but once it sank in she was really happy about it.

“I really enjoyed it because I worked over the season, but I think that it was a fun season. It was nice to be a part of it and get recognized for it through our local paper,” Kaiea said.

Her mom, Michelle Higa helped spread the word about voting for her for Athlete of the Year, Kaiea said.

“It’s great. We’re excited for her and I love supporting her. She works hard. It’s just great to see all of that pay off,” Michelle Higa said.

Looking back on her season, Kaiea said she had a great time. She really enjoyed playing a sport she loves with people she goes to school with.

She’s planning on playing softball for the Tahoma Bears for the next three years of her high school career.

Varsity coach Rob McMartin said he’s looking forward to having her return to play for the next few seasons.

He said she was a great attribute to the team this year, and it will be fun to see what she does in the next years to come.

Also, as a freshman, Rob said she’s already broken a record. She broke the record of “single season home runs.”

Once her three years with Tahoma are off, Kaiea already has a plan for college, since she has committed to playing softball for Oregon State University.

“I love the atmosphere and my mom’s also an alumni,” Kaiea said. “She played there as well. I like Corvallis because it feels like Maple Valley almost, but it’s very homey and very enjoyable.”

“It’s going to be exciting to watch her for the next three years and see what she does,” McMartin said. “I mean she’s already broke one record.”

Congratulations to the Reporter’s first Female Athlete of the Year.

Photo by Kayse Angel Kaiea Higa (right), a freshman fast pitch player for the Tahoma High School Bears, won the first ever Female Athlete of the Year award from the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter. She received a special plaque from the Reporter’s editor Danielle Chastaine (left).

Photo by Kayse Angel Kaiea Higa (right), a freshman fast pitch player for the Tahoma High School Bears, won the first ever Female Athlete of the Year award from the Covington-Maple Valley Reporter. She received a special plaque from the Reporter’s editor Danielle Chastaine (left).