Prep Beat -- Eastlake Soccer Player A Parade All-American

Nick Downing had heard teammate Mike Casale talk about the Parade High School All-America team, but didn't expect to be named to the prestigious list of the country's best prep soccer players - at least, not this soon.

Think again. The Eastlake junior was one of 33 players named to the boys team this week by Parade Magazine.

Downing, a midfielder for the Wolves, was named to the team as a defender.

It's the latest in a list of awards for Downing that includes: 1996 Gatorade state player of the year; all-state midfielder; captain of the U.S. national U-17 team.

"It's a surprise," said Downing, who scored 11 goals for the state champion Wolves last season. "It's nice to get all these awards and stuff, but I don't really let it get to me. I'll accept them but I don't take them to my head."

Downing will play in the world championships in September for the U-17 national team in Egypt. But first comes the high-school season this spring. Eastlake should contend for another state title.

"We only lost two guys from last year," Downing said. "I'm looking forward to this year a lot. We have a lot of seniors and it's their last year. We should be pretty good."

Midfielder Mark Hogenhout of Olympia High School also was named to the team.

Hill, Murphy to walk on

Two KingCo Conference football linemen have accepted offers to walk on at the University of Washington next fall.

Newport's Chattin Hill (6 feet 3, 238 pounds) and Bothell's Blake Murphy (6-3, 245) will be Huskies next fall. Hill was first-team all-KingCo Crest Division at offensive tackle for the Knights last season. Murphy was honorable mention all-Crown Division.

Jolma to Dartmouth

Issaquah's Jeff Jolma has made an oral commitment to play football for Dartmouth College next fall.

Jolma, a 6-0, 200-pound linebacker with a 4.0 grade-point average, was first-team all-KingCo Crest Division for the Indians, who made the playoffs for the first time since 1984.

Bellevue dancers champs

The Bellevue Wolverine dance and drill team was named Class AAA state academic champion by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. The team will be recognized March 21-22 at the SunDome in Yakima at the state dance and drill championships.