Haley Bakke, 14, a member of the Methow Valley Killer Whales Swim Team, has been named this year’s recipient of the Chase Award, the only individual honor presented to a team member.
The Chase Award, given in honor of the memory of former Killer Whale teammate Chase Brandenburg, has been an annual event since 2008. Bakke is the award’s sixth recipient.
The award singles out that team member who “exhibits a high standard of personal commitment and team leadership by example,” said coach Jeanne White.
“Haley is an amazing young woman who works very hard to improve herself while making time to mentor and inspire younger children, all qualities of an exemplary leader,” White said.
Bakke has been a member of the Killer Whales for six years and will enter her freshman year at Liberty Bell High School this fall.
