EDITOR’S NOTE: The following Sports story is sponsored by the Kenner Dental Group:

Every year the Highline Alumni Association chooses at least two athletes and one coach or staff member to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame, and this year inductees included longtime Teacher and Coach Dave Stark, along with Anthony Watkins and Kaitlyn Heinsohn Watkins.
Here’s more info, courtesy HHS Athletic Director Lori Box:

Anthony Watkins, class of 2007. Anthony comes from a family of nine children including his twin brother Brian. While in high school, Anthony competed in football, basketball and track. In football he was Seamount League First Team Quarterback, First team Defensive Back and MVP. He played basketball for three years while at Highline. In track, Anthony ran both hurdle events and all sprint races. He cruised to a best time of 49.8 in the 400 at state. Anthony was voted student of the year and best physique for his graduating class. One of his favorite classes at Highline was Mr. Davies history class. His advice to current students is “Do everything 120% – the best that you can do.”
Anthony was offered several D1 football scholarships eventually selecting Oregon State University where his brother Brian played alongside of him. Anthony started both his junior and senior year. He was voted team most improved player his redshirt sophomore year, led the team in tackles his junior year with 85 and had two career interceptions. He graduated from OSU with a degree in Exercise Science with a minor in nutrition and fitness. He was invited to the Chicago Bears rookie mini camp in 2014 and signed a contract in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Currently Anthony is working on his Master’s Degree at the University of Washington and works in the fitness and strength program with the UW football team. He finally chose the right school! He is involved in fitness programs and other ventures and lives in Burien where he and his wife are raising their 4-year old son Kameron.
Congratulations Anthony!
Kaitlyn Heinsohn Watkins, class of 2017 and Anthony’s wife. Kaitlyn couldn’t be here today because she is on assignment with the Disney Corporation.
While in high school Kaitlyn played soccer and ran track. She set the Washington State 3A soccer scoring record with 105 goals. The team was Seamount League champs in 2004 beating Kennedy Catholic and Kaitlyn scored the winning goal. She was first team Seamount League all four years of high school, scored 108 goals in 4 seasons which set the 3A Washington State scoring record, was Seamount League MVP for two years and named to the All State Team four years in a row. As if that wasn’t enough she led the conference in scoring all four years and scored a career high 5 goals against Mount Rainier in one half. Mr. Binns held her out of the second half of that game! While on the track team Kaitlyn ran the 4 X 100 and the relay team won the state championship her junior year with the second fastest time in school history. They were back to back state champs in 2005 and 2006. Like her husband Anthony she was also voted Best Physique her senior year!
Kaitlyn went on to attend the University of Montana in Missoula where she played soccer. She was Rookie of the year as a Freshman and Offensive Player of the year for two years. Her other honors included Big Sky player of the week four times, First Team Big Sky Conference three years in a row and led the team in points for three years in a row. She was the leading scorer on the team all four years and was inducted into the University of Montana Hall of Fame.
Katilyn’s advice for each of you is “Do not be afraid of failure. Rely on self-esteem, use your qualities and capabilities and remember age doesn’t matter.”
Kaitlyn currently works for the Disney Corporation as a Senior Manager in Enterprise Technology Talent Acquisition. She and Anthony began dating in high school and were recently married. It remains to be seen which sport Kameron will do but clearly he is going to be a good looking, physically fit athlete if he follows in his parents footsteps!
Congratulations to Kaitlyn on her honor!

Mr. Dave Stark, a teacher and a coach at Highline for 40 years. He was in the same classroom all 40 years. Can you imagine what that was like cleaning out that room when he retired?
Dave graduated from North Kitsap High School in 1965 where he played football and wrestled. He earned his Associate’s degree from Olympic College, served four years in the Air Force and another three years in the Air National Guard. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Science and a Master’s in Educational Technology from Western Washington University.
Mr. Stark has five children and 14 grandkids, some of which he coached at Highline including three state qualifiers in wrestling. He coached football, wrestling and girls’ softball and was the head coach of all three sports at one time. One of his softball teams finished fourth at state, his wrestling teams won five league championships and with the advent of girls’ wrestling he coached a 2nd place state female wrestler.
Enjoyment of student success is one of the highlights of Dave’s career. His advice to you current Pirates is:

“Don’t listen to people who say you can’t do it.”

Dave and his wife Amy enjoy their large and extended family. Dave has been active in auto racing throughout the area and can be seen rolling multiple times in one event.
Congratulations to our longtime Pirate teacher and Coach Dave Stark! And by the way, Happy Anniversary to you and Amy.

ABOUT OUR SPORTS SPONSOR:
Dr. William C. Kenner, V

“Having the opportunity to utilize my expertise and help patients achieve optimum, functional oral health is what drives my passion for dentistry.”

About our office:
Our patients have a great appreciation for the care that we provide, and many of them have been with the practice since it was opened by my father in 1978. It is extremely rewarding to see those patients entrust our office with their own care, the care of their children, and their friends and family. We strive to provide quality, patient-centered dental care. Our goal is to create a unique dental experience for our patients, where their needs and comfort come first. Each Team member brings their individual element to the office, making everyday entertaining and enjoyable.
For the past four years the Kenner Dental Group has been an event sponsor for the Burien Brat Trot, benefiting Highline Schools Foundation. We have also worked to raise awareness of children’s oral health and provided pediatric dental care in the community.
I am a Burien native born and raised. My wife Dr. Leigh Kenner, who I met in dental school, and I have been married since October 2009. We have two beautiful children, daughter Brynn and son Liam, along with two dogs, Lilly and Cali. Our house is always a bit busy, but when there is time to relax and get away, our family loves outdoor activities together, watching the Seahawks, traveling to see family in San Diego and Palm Springs, and enjoying the beach along Alki. My individual outdoor passion is fresh-water fly fishing, although I’ve been known to throw saltwater flies off Alki Point and Fauntleroy occasionally.
For more info, visit https://www.kennerdentalgroup.com, or call 206-248-1339.

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