A new year brings new records, champions and chances at glory. Before this year comes to a close, take a look at the top local sports highlights of 2018 from previous Mirror reports.

In January, Federal Way High School girls wrestling team won the All-City meet against Thomas Jefferson, Decatur and Todd Beamer. The Eagles then took fourth place in the WIAA 4A State girls wrestling tournament the following month.

In February, Olympic speed skaters and Federal Way natives, JR Celski and Aaron Tran, with teammates Thomas Hong and John-Henry Krueger, competed in the United State men’s 5,000-meter short track relay at the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.

Placing fifth overall, the team finished with a time of 6 minutes and 52.708 seconds at the at the Gangneung Ice Arena.

In March, the Federal Way High School Eagles boys basketball team placed second in the WIAA 4A boys state tournament after a close fall to the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups who secured a win of 54-52. This capped off the Eagles 27-2 season.

The Todd Beamer High School dance team took second place in the Championship Small Hip-Hop Division at the USA National Competition in Anaheim, California also in March.

The Titans dance team holds nine state titles and won a National Championship in 2016.

In April, Scotty Sunitsch, Todd Beamer High School 2014 graduate, pitched a no-hitter for Washington State University, winning 7-0 against the University of Oregon.

Sunitsch struck out nine batters and walked two batters over nine innings. The no-hitter game. The game was WSU’S first solo nine-inning no-hitter since 1976 and the 25th no-hitter in Cougar baseball history.

In May, Federal Way High School track and field athletes set a school record in the 4-by-100-meter relay, and also brought home a state title in the race.

Junior Marcus Eubanks, senior leadoff Eric Jones, sophomore Anthony Frazier and junior Treyvon Davis finished with a time of 41.9 seconds at the 2018 WIAA 4A track and field championships.

Federal Way Eagles boys baseball team placed third in the WIAA 4A State baseball tournament. The Eagles beat Wenatchee 13-5 in Pacso.

In June, Thomas Jefferson High School girls bowling team competed in the 2018 U.S. High School National Bowling Championship in Illinois. The Raiders finished in second place at the 4A state bowling championships in February, following an undefeated NPSL season.

In July, the city of Federal Way hosted two events of the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. More than 4,000 athletes competed in 14 different sports throughout the Puget Sound region with Federal Way hosting competitions for swimming and softball.

In August, Sierra Shugarts, Decatur High School alum and Western Washington University grad, began her professional soccer career in Sweden, playing for Motala AIF. At Western, Shugarts earned accolades such as NCAA Division II National Player of the Year in 2016, First Team Division II All-American in 2016, GNAC Female Athlete of the Year (all sports) in 2016-17. As team captain for two consecutive seasons, she helped lead the WWU women’s soccer team to become NCAA Division II National Champions in 2016.

In October, Auburn resident Ron Buckholz set the Guinness World Record for longest distance of a car burnout, with a surveyed length of 1,598 feet at Pacific Raceways near Kent. Buckholz and his wife, Tracy, own Federal Way Automotive and Radiator.

In November, girls from Federal Way high schools competed in the WIAA 4A state swim and dive championship meet. Todd Beamer junior Stephenie Gunn placed 3rd in state for 1m diving with a score of 329.70. Decatur sophomore Lillian Tucker finished 7th in state for the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.48. In the 200 Individual Medley, Decatur senior Jewel Springer finished 8th with a time of 2:09.33. As a team, Decatur placed 14th in state, followed by Todd Beamer in 25th place and Federal Way in 30th place.

In December, FWHS seniors Alphonzo Tuputala and Trey Davis signed to play football in the Pac-12 at the University of Washington and University of Southern California, respectively.

Stay tuned for more local coverage of sports superstars in 2019.

Federal Way High School junior Marcus Eubanks sprints toward the finish line as anchor of the FWHS boys 4×1 relay at the WIAA 4A State track and field championships in May 2018. Mirror file photo