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Northwest Sports Update: Polanco hits free agency, Huskies make first CFP rankings, LC wins district volleyball title and more

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson Photo: Associated Press


Mariners News

A postseason hero for the Mariners is heading to free agency. The club announced today that second baseman Jorge Polanco has declined his player option for the 2026 season.

The 32-year-old had a career resurgence this past year, hitting .265 with 26 home runs and 78 RBIs in the regular season. He went on to contribute several clutch hits for the Mariners in the playoffs, including a walkoff single in Game 5 of their divisional series against Detroit to send the M’s to their first ALCS in over two decades.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that Polanco declined a $6 million salary after playing a pivotal part in their historic season. MLB.com’s Daniel Kramer reports that there is interest on the Mariners’ side to bring him back for next year.

Kraken News

The Kraken are wrapping up their homestand tonight with a match against the San Jose Sharks.

The Kraken are coming off a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks and currently own the seventh-best record in the Western Conference. They’re facing a Sharks team that sits in third-to-last place. 

Coverage begins at 6:30 and puck drops at 7 on KPUG.

Huskies News

The Huskies earned a spot in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season.

Washington came in at No. 23 in the country, one spot above their place in the latest AP poll. They were one of seven Big Ten schools to make the rankings, led by Ohio State and Indiana in first and second place, respectively.

The Huskies are in Wisconsin this week for a matchup against the Badgers. They have three more games left before hosting Oregon for their regular season finale, in a game that could have major playoff implications.

The Ducks earned the No. 9 spot in the CFP rankings.

Seahawks News

A pair of former Seahawks coaches are in consideration to go to Canton.

Mike Holmgren and Chuck Knox were each named among nine semifinalists for the coach category in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. One finalist will be selected among them, in a group that also includes six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick and Mike Shanahan.

Holmgren is back in the mix after earning the lone finalist spot last year, but fell short in the final vote. He took the Seahawks to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 2005 during his 10 seasons in Seattle.

Knox was a three-time NFL Coach of the Year, coaching nine seasons of his 22 seasons with the Seahawks from 1983 to 1991.

HS Volleyball News

Lynden Christian beat Nooksack Valley in four sets last night to secure the 1A district volleyball championship. The Lyncs are state tournament-bound, while the Pioneers head to a match against Meridian tomorrow night with a ticket to state on the line.

Coming up tonight, undefeated Lynden is facing Sehome in the 2A district volleyball title match. Both teams have already earned a spot at state. They’ll start the match at 7:30 from Meridian High School.

Over in Class 3A volleyball, Ferndale has already booked a spot in the district quarterfinals, where they’ll face either Mount Vernon or Shorewood next Tuesday.

HS Soccer News

We’ve got a pair of district championship games happening in girls soccer tonight.

First up at 7:00, Sehome is hosting Anacortes in the 2A title game at Civic Stadium. Both teams are already headed to state.

Then, Lynden Christian is facing Nooksack Valley in the 1A title game at Blaine High School, which will get underway at 7:30. The winner will secure a berth at state, the loser will play either Meridian or Blaine on Saturday for a chance to extend their season.

Lynden is also playing Bellingham at Civic Stadium at 5:00 tonight with the winner moving on to the district crossover.

Coming up tomorrow, Ferndale is on the road against Oak Harbor with another state tournament berth on the line.

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