While its football team was busy winning a fifth consecutive 3A state football title in the Tacoma Dome, the Bellevue lacrosse program was taking a pair of championships as well at the Space Needle Shootout lacrosse tournament at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

Bellevue’s U-18 and U-12 teams won championships, with the 18s winning a 6-5 game over Coquitlam, British Columbia in the finale and the younger squad beating Ridge Meadows, British Columbia by a final of 7-1.

“This is a great way to finish the pre-season,” Bellevue senior Cole Johnson said. Johnson’s four goals in the title game helped him earn U-18 most valuable player honors.

Prep coach John Baumann, who was not allowed to coach any of his own players due to WIAA regulations, did take charge of the U-12 squad to give the next generation of Wolverines an up-close look at his style.

“It was amazing, we just kind of throw the kids together,” Baumann said, noting the Canadian teams were coming off the end of their season while American squads were out-of-season for this tournament. “The fact we kind of book-ended the tournament with the oldest kids and youngest kids is a nice feeling.”

The U-12 team outscored opponents 51-14 in six tournament games en route to the title.

The U-12 Bellevue lacrosse team. COURTESY PHOTO, JOHN BAUMANN

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