Soble, Lu Highlight 2011 Postseason Award Winners

Seniors Robby Soble and Frank Lu took home the prestigious Wolverine Award at the 2011 year-end team banquet.  Joining Soble and Lu as award winners were senior Jake VanWolvelaere (Team MVP), junior Reed Hendrickson (Defensive MVP), and sophomore Scott Bowers (Most Improved).

First awarded in 2005, the Wolverine Award honors athletes that have made a significant, lasting impact on the Bellevue High Water Polo program.  Soble, a varsity starter for much of the season, earned the award in recognition of his sacrifice, selflessness and unsung leadership.  Lu, a four-year participant, earned the award for his perseverance after overcoming a serious offseason health scare that threatened to keep him out of the water his senior season.

VanWolvelaere was voted Team MVP after a phenomenal season in which he was named State Offensive MVP and First-Team All-State.  A two-time team captain, VanWolvelaere set a new school record for goals in a season with 145, easily surpassing Huston Middlesworth’s previous high of 128.  He also finished fourth in career goals, behind only Huston Middlesworth (currently an All-SCIAC player at Claremont), Tim Hummel (an All-American at LMU), and Chase Middlesworth (Chapman’s leading goal-scorer as a freshman).

For the second straight year, Hendrickson was voted Team Defensive MVP.  He is the fourth Wolverine to earn the honor more than once.  Hendrickson had a spectacular state tournament, posting 17 and 15 blocks in the semifinals and finals, respectively, and earning State Defensive MVP and Second-Team All-State honors.  He also set a new school record for steals in a game (6 versus Mercer Island on 9/28/11).

Bowers, a sophomore driver, was named Most Improved.  As a freshman, Bowers competed on the junior varsity squad.  After training in the offseason with Rain City Water Polo, Bowers catapulted himself from an early-season JV starter to a late-season varsity starter.  It was one of the most remarkable rises in Bellevue history.

Lastly, senior co-captains Jake VanWolvelaere and Wesley Johnston were honored for their outstanding leadership.  In addition to guiding Bellevue to the State title, VanWolvelaere and Johnston were selected as First-Team All-State players.