Lynden's Kobe Baar is SBLive's WaFd Bank Class 2A Senior Athlete of the Year

Welcome to a continuing tradition at SBLive Washington – honoring the WaFd Bank 2022-23 senior male and female athletes of the year for each classification.

Because the SBLive crew gets so immersed in specific sports seasons, it is nice to take a step back to pick a statewide honor from a broader perspective.

The criteria isn’t too expansive: The starting point is finding seniors who are all-league/all-state performers in two or more sports. Totality of career is also a factor. So is administrator/coach/fan recommendation.

Enjoy as we honor some of Washington’s top multi-sport senior athletes!

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Kobe Baar considers himself a lucky one.

Not only did he get to play in three WIAA championship games his senior year, he won two of them - with each win marking back-to-back Class 2A titles.

In the fall, Baar and the Lynden Lions' football team capped off an undefeated season with their second consecutive Class 2A title in a thrilling win over North Kitsap.

Another state championship came in the winter when Lynden's basketball team dismantled Mark Morris in the state championship – also a second consecutive title.

Baar had a chance at a third state championship in one school year this spring when the Lynden baseball team reached the title game, but the Lions fell just short to Tumwater.

"It's been a crazy year, and I'm just really blessed to have been part of a team and community like this with so many friends, supporters and wonderful coaches," Baar said.

And while his name might not have popped out on the box score each game, Baar was an integral piece of the success of each team.

"We don't win our championship and we don't get into the championship without (Baar)," Lynden football coach Blake VanDalen said. "He was just a key component to our two football and our two basketball championships."

Lynden basketball coach Brian Roper put it simply – Baar does not care about being cool.

"Kobe Baar doesn't care about stats or style. He cares about his teammates and winning, and that's it," Roper said.

Baar said what Roper had to say about him just about summed him up.

And Roper's sentiment showed with Baar quick to acknowledge his teammates when it came to being named SBLive WA's Class 2A senior male athlete of the year for 2022-23.

"This is just the hard work me and my team have put in the past couple of years," Baar said. "It's cool to be recognized and to be the one representing them and our town."

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KOBE BAAR BIO

School: Lynden.

Sports: Football, basketball, baseball.

Next step: Working locally and helping coach with the Lynden football staff.

Senior-year highlights: Voted first team Northwest Conference at defensive back. Key part of Lynden football team's undefeated season and second consecutive Class 2A championship. Third on the team in tackles with 60.5 (50 solo). Intercepted three passes with one returned for a touchdown. Also had one forced fumble and recovery...Averaged 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the Lions basketball team. Shot at a 52% clip and 39% from 3-point range. Double-double in state championship game. Second team all-state tournament to help Lynden win back-to-back titles...First team Northwest Conference catcher. Hit for a .324 batting average with eight doubles, 17 RBI, 20 walks and eight stolen bases. On-base percentage of .511 for the state runners-up.

Career accomplishments: Two-time state champion in football and basketball for four state championships in two years. Three state championship appearances in 2022-23 school year. Top-three in tackles the past two seasons on Lynden football team and a two-way starter. Lynden football "Big Hitter" award winner...Lynden basketball "Hustle Point" award winner. Lynden basketball's all-time leader in "Hustle Points" with 158.

School/community achievements: 3.6 GPA; volunteered at youth sports camps with Lynden football and basketball teams; assisted with flood relief through Lynden High School sports teams.

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