Matthew Nash sequim, sportswriter

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 SEQUIM GAZETTE

SPORTS BRIEFS Tryouts set for baseball team

Sequim Baseball hosts tryouts at 6 p.m. May 8-9 at the Sequim High School baseball field off Fir Street.

Ages 15-19 are welcome to try out.

For information, call Dan Perry at 360808-2357.

SPORTS

Wednesday, May 1, 2013 • B-5

Hitting a rough patch

SHS baseball in a late-season slide www.sequimgazette.com/sports B-5

SEQUIM GAZETTE

PREP SPORTS

SHS’s Priest shoots career best on links

Equine dental clinic planned

The Jefferson County 4-H Horse Program is hosting its spring open equine dental clinic with Dr. Richard Vetter of Performance Equine Dentistry.

Vetter will be at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Port Townsend on Friday-Saturday, May 10-11, examining and treating horses. Appointments with Vetter are booked on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, see Vetter’s website at www. perfequinedentistry.com.

To schedule an appointment with Vetter for the open clinic, call Betty at 360-379-6931.

18-hole group invites newbies

The Cedars at Dungeness Woman’s 18 Hole Golf Group has several new members including Gail Savage, Marine Hirschfeld, Wanda Synnestvedt, Cathy Grant and Lindsay Busch.

Golfers show up between 7:30-7:45 a.m. for an 8:30 a.m. tee time nearly each Tuesday through October. In September, the group hosts its annual Day of Whine & Roses Tournament.

Those women looking for a fun group to play golf are welcome. Call the pro shop at 360-683-6344 or Pat Conway at 206-4982064.

SHS graduate places in throws

Sequim’s Frank Catelli is on track — with Western Washington University’s Track & Field team.

The 2012 Sequim High grad placed third in both discus and shot put events at the J.D. Shotwell Invitational in Tacoma on April 5-6. His discus toss was 141 feet, 9 inches and his shot put throw was 48 feet, 11 3/4 inches. Western took second in the 12-team meet to Central Washington.

Catelli, a freshman at Western, won the Class 2A state shot put title in 2011.

Senior softball back in Sequim

The Sequim Senior Recreational League is kicking off its 2013 softball season. The group welcomes “seniors” — men and women — of ages 50 years and older to play softball Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. at Carrie Blake Park.

Soccer, tennis teams polished for playoffs Golf

Sequim High seniors, from left, Columbia Haupt, Rylleigh Zbaraschuk, Bailey Rhodefer and Hannah Grubb see winning the 2A state championship this year as something to claim for themselves after winning it as underclassmen in 2011. They also want to continue Sequim’s fastpitch legacy for a strong core of up-and-coming players. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Seniors going out with a bang Fastpitch veterans drive Sequim’s Wolves forward to playoffs

by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette

As the Irrigation Festival’s grand parade marches closer, the hit parade has been going full force with the Wolves fastpitch team.

Over the four-game spread last week, all victories, Sequim (12-0, 13-0) outpaced its opponents 63-6 and out-hit them 61 to 13.

The biggest breakout of the four games was senior night on April 26 when the Wolves crushed the visiting Olympic Trojans at home 28-2.

Every Wolves player got a hit, including the four seniors: Rylleigh Zbaraschuk with two doubles, six runners batted in and three runs; Hannah Grubb with four hits, two RBIs and three runs; Bailey Rhodefer with four hits, two RBIs and four runs; and Columbia Haupt with three hits, one RBI and three runs.

These four were integral to the 2011 2A State championship team.

While it may be superstitious to mention championship possibilities prior to securing the Olympic League title, the girls have put in the hours to become the players they are today.

Dean Rhodefer, Bailey’s dad, said his daughter and the girls earned all of their wins and accolades.

“Not every kid goes out in the dark to hit off a tee,” he said.

But that’s what Bailey

wanted.

“When I was younger, I wanted to be the best. I asked to do that,” she said. “Now I want my team to be the best.”

The seniors all started baseball as little girls, but it took that extra dedication, such as joining travel teams where the girls honed their skills through the years.

“They don’t just get there off talent. They earn everything they get out here,” Dean Rhodefer said.

Bailey Rhodefer said the game has taught her a lot about life. She and the others agreed that includes dedication, teamwork and a strong work ethic.

With plenty of distractions for teenagers today, Zbaraschuk said her love of softball kept her playing.

Championship chances

Returning to state is a goal everyone has in mind, Zbaraschuk said.

“Personally, I want it more this year,” she said.

In 2011, the team was led by powerhouse seniors Lea Hopson, Cindy Miller and Maddy Zbaraschuk, along with major contributions from seven players still on the team. Rhodefer said the personalities of this year’s team are similar. But the girls still want another championship.

“If we do it, it’s our own,” Grubb said.

Haupt said she thinks this

Travis Priest shot a career-best 78 on 18 holes at The Cedars at Dungeness against division rival Port Angeles on Tuesday, April 23. He kept pace with P.A.’s Garrett Payton (74) and Joe Barnes and Alex Atwell (79), but the Roughriders (7-0) shot 396 to remain undefeated, taking the league title while Sequim’s best shot was 431, moving the Wolves to 5-2 and third. Jesse Francis shot 84, Anthony Pinza 85, Jack Shea 91, Alex McCracken 93 and Matt Cays 97.

The boys play at the league championship in Bremerton on May 2 with the top seven receiving automatic berths to state and the next best 11 scores advancing to the district tournament on May 14.

Soccer

Bailey Rhodefer slams her second home run of the day against Port Angeles on April 24. She was on a tear last week, hitting three home runs.

year’s team interacts better and it was one of her goals to help everyone be in sync even more and it seems to be working.

Head coach Mike McFarlen said the team makes it fun to be their coach.

“There’s no drama,” he said.

“They just go out and play the game.”

Rhodefer finds the same thing with the drama-free Wolves. “We’re like a family,” she said.

Staying undefeated has come from the whole lineup, seniors said.

“The team this year has seen everyone step up,” Zbaraschuk said.

Eleven players return from the fourth-place state team last year, including a nearly fl awless pitching team anchored by Makayla Bentz and the batting core powered by cleanup hitter A lexas Besand, MaryLu

Clift and Shelby Lott.

“We want to keep it going for the younger members of the team,” Rhodefer said.

This week’s away games help cement the team’s chances for the Olympic League title and positioning in the playoffs race.

McFarlen said they don’t take anyone lightly, mentioning early games against Kingston and Port Angeles where the Wolves had to rally to win.

Senior Mason Barrett helped the Wolves (8-5, 26 points) stay in the playoff hunt with two goals in Port Townsend on Tuesday, April 23.

He scored twice in the second half: in the 64th minute with an assist from Brandon Payne and 14 minutes later with an assist from Will Bittner.

Payne scored seven minutes in while Donovan Lee started the second half scoring off with a goal of his own.

The Wolves played at home on Tuesday against North Mason (5-9, 14 points) and travel to Olympic (8-5, 23 points) Thursday, which could be a determining game for third place in the Olympic League.

Tennis

The seniors seem to be in line with their personal goals they set before the season.

Both Grubb and Haupt wanted to be more consistent hitters, which they’ve become. Using last week’s games as a litmus test, Grubb batted .500, 9-18 including a home run and a double, and

The Wolves (6-0 league and 11-0 overall) continued their undefeated streak by winning nearly all of their matches in a double-header in Bremerton on April 23 and at home on April 24 against Port Angeles.

Sequim’s Anna Prorok defeated the Knights’ Serenity Huntwork 6-0, 6-3, but lost to the Roughriders’ Kyrie Reyes 6-4, 6-3.

Hillary Smith won both her matches and paired

See FASTPITCH, B-6

See PREPS, B-6

Personal aptitude

Time to hit the trails

by ROSS COYLE Sequim Gazette

Winter has given way to spring and what better way to break out of the stiffness of winter hibernation than a good hike. Whether it’s a short one-mile jaunt or a 10-mile day trip, the Olympic Mountains can provide it. While there aren’t any hard-and-fast rules or gear needed to get out on the trails, having the right equipment and knowledge will make hiking much more enjoyable.

Gear

Start with the 10 essentials list created by the Mountaineers Club of Seattle in the

RECREATION REVIEW Ross Coyle 1930s. Bring fire starters, extra food, clothing and water, a mirror or signaling device, flashlight, first aid supplies, a map and compass, sun protection and a knife or other multi-tool.

W hen getting hik ing clothes, the only rule is to avoid cotton, and while tennis shoes might work for walking, you’re going to need a good pair of boots if you want to hit longer trails for the best vistas.

If you’re going to splurge on anything, make it footwear.

A good pair of boots and socks will make hiking and adventuring much more comfortable. Wool socks, found in just about any general merchandise store, are ideal when hiking in the rain forests.

Nothing is worse than blisters from wet cotton socks.

Boots come in a variety of

See REVIEW, B-6

Taking a side trail from the summit of Pyramid Peak yields for these hikers an unrivaled view of Lake Crescent. Some of the most rewarding experiences while hiking come from finding unexpected and fresh views of the area.Sequim Gazette photo by Ross Coyle

B-6 • Wednesday, May 1, 2013

SEQUIM GAZETTE

Notebook From page B-5

types and styles from hightop leather work boots to synthetic shoes. Finding a comfortable fit is important, but keep in mind that leather will stretch and shrink over its lifetime.

“It’ll become the perfect shoe after a while,” says Douglas Scott, a guide out of Olympia. Synthetics like Gortex, on the other hand, provide better water resistance and comfort, but aren’t as durable as hides.

As with anything that’s going to be with you for a long time, the most important aspect is whether or not the boots feel comfortable to walk in. Consider the shoe’s arch support, depending on whether you’re flat-footed or have a high arch. The those with flat feet will want a motion control shoe that reduces pronation (feet swinging out as they walk), while those with high arches supinate (inward swinging) and will want a cushioned shoe.

Consider two things when buying hiking clothes: the material used — cotton, wool, silk or synthetic — as well as how you plan to layer the clothing. Temperatures may vary dramatically during a hike, so it’s important to be able to add or remove clothing on the go to avoid overheating and other hiking injuries.

dslajs;ljsa fsldsfkjfdfl sdsdadlfj dfjasdsdadlfj dfjasdsdadlfj dfjas;ldfadlfj dfjas;ldfadlfj dfjas;ldfadlfj dfjas;ldfadlfj. afafddfjas;ldfjs alfs. dslajs;ljsa fsldsfkjfdfl sdsdadlfj dfj fjas;ld fjs alfs.js alfs. dslajs;ljsa fsldsfkjfdfl sdsdadlfj

Layered clothing allows hikers to add or shed warmth depending on the temperature, keeping them from getting too hot or cold.

For the deepest layers next to the skin, get a “wicking” material, such as synthetic or silk. Because they spread moisture along their surfaces, they dry faster than cotton.

The second layer is the protection from cold and should be made of thicker material like cotton or fleece.

The outer layer, or shell, provides rain protection and typically is made out of vented plastic or a breathable synthetic.

as;ldfa a dfjs al ;ldf adlfj as;ldfa a dfjs al ;ldfadlfj as;ldfa a dfjs al ;ldfadlfj as;ldfa a dfjs al ;ldfadlfj as;ldfa a dfjs al ;ldfadlfj

Add-ons

Beyond clothing, there are a few accessories which will help reduce stress on the body during hiking, ranging from flexible pant materials to poles which reduce stress on the back. When choosing a backpack, Scott recommends finding one with a chest clip and waist belt, which help distribute weight. Sunglasses help keep the sun out of your eyes on the summit and beanies keep the head warm in the more exposed temperatures.

When dressing for hiking in the Olympics, remember the temperature gradient; it might be a comfortable 65 degrees at the trailhead but it can drop below 40 on a ridge line.

“Between the wind and the rain,” Scott says, “if you’re not prepared, your body temperature is going to drop 10 degrees.”

Hikes

Now that you’re geared up, here are three good trails to start with, varying in difficulty from easy to strenuous.

Marymere Falls at Lake Crescent, two miles Distance from Sequim: 40 minutes Take U.S. Highway 101 west to Lake Crescent. Park at the Storm King Ranger Station on the south side of the lake. The trail begins at the

Prep sports From page B-5 with Prorok to win a pro set 8-4 as a doubles team.

Hannah Gauthun split her matches, losing to the Knights’ Serenity Hunt-

work 8-5 but winning in a doubles match with Heidi Stallman the same day and defeating Port Angeles’ Hannah Little on April 24. Doubles team Melanie Guan and Karen Chan remained strong, winning three matches convincingly.

Other teammates winning their matches include Anna Mittman and

Storm King ranger station and is well developed.

Marymere Falls, while pretty, makes for an exceedingly brief hike if you don’t know where to go. It’s a good hike to take children on and older hikers may find it relaxing to walk on a well-developed and maintained trail. Those looking for an adventure should look elsewhere, specifically behind the waterfall.

A close search of the falls overlook reveals an almost hidden trail up the hillside, which splits off twice: once to the upper falls pool and a second time to the very top of Marymere.

The trail is quite steep and has a number of deadfalls blocking it, so it’s not recommended for small children.

Lena Lake, six miles Distance from Sequim: 60 minutes Lena Lake is a hidden jewel, buried in the southeast corner of the mountains, down national Forest Service Road 25 from Mike’s Beach Resort.

The trailhead is marked about seven miles in. But unlike so many other rain forest hikes of the Pacific Northwest, Lena Lake trail exhibits some of the best traits of the area, from enormous granite boulders to natural rest stops overlooking scenic pine vistas.

A moderate route, the trail begins with a gentle slope be-

Kortney Oen, Heidi Stallman and Maggie Christie, Andrea Tjemsland with Sydney McCrorie and Tenisha Powless, and Samantha Schock and Mackenzie Gale.

Sequim faced its biggest match against league-leading Kingston on April 29, prior to press time.

fore hitting a series of switchbacks that run for roughly a mile. After the switchback series, the trail evens out to arrive next to a creek for the next mile and a half. The surge of the water adds a nice background noise to the atmosphere.

Following the creek crossing over an old wooden bridge, the trail continues for a mile before arriving at a gorgeous granite boulder overlooking the lake. It’s a perfect place to have lunch and take in the view. From here hikers can extend the hike another six miles by going into the Brothers Wilderness on the north end of the lake or return on the trail in.

Pyramid Peak, seven miles Distance from Sequim: 50 minutes Take Highway 101 to Fairholme on the western side of Lake Crescent and turn right onto North Shore Road.

The trailhead is marked about two to three miles in.

Pyramid Peak, on the north side of Lake Crescent, is made for adventure and rewards the patience of dealing with 3.5 miles of switchbacks and rain forest with a magnificent view and awesome potential for exploration.

Starting in the rain forest, the trail winds its way over mountain streams and along the side of the mountain.

Shortly before the transition into subalpine forest, the path ends in a washout where a major landslide destroyed roughly 200 yards of trail.

Navigating this area isn’t tricky, but use caution because it’s a long drop. After trekking through the subalpine fir groves about two miles past the washout, hikers find the summit, complete with an old and retired firewatch cabin.

Take time to explore the summit’s geology and branching paths, which lead to gorgeous and less-conventional overlooks of the lake below.

Contact Ross Coyle at rcoyle@sequimgazette.com

Track

Silverdale became Sequim’s home away from home as they swept a three-team meet on April 24. Sequim’s squads topped Port Townsend and Klahowya in easy fashion.

See results online at www.sequimgazette.com/sports/.

SEQUIM LITTLE LEAGUE RESULTS Girls Seniors

• April 22 East Jefferson def. Les Schwab White Sox (no score available)

Boys Majors

• April 23 Fred’s Hobbies Mariners 13, Jose’s

Fastpitch From page B-5

Haupt hit .643, 9-14 with three doubles.

Zbaraschuk, a standout hit-

Famous Salsa Jalapeños 3 East Jefferson Serrato 10, All Around Fencing Sluggers 0 • April 25 All Around Fencing Sluggers 16, Jose’s Famous Salsa Jalapeños 16 (suspended-darkness) Fred’s Hobbies 14, Quilcene 4

ter already, said she’s wanted to throw out four or five people from centerfield to Rhodefer.

She’s yet to do it, but she’s prevented a few baserunners from advancing.

R hodefer, like Haupt,

• April 27 All Around Fencing Sluggers 3, East Jefferson Serrato 1 Port Townsend Evans 5, Fred’s Hobbies Mariners 3

Girls Majors • April 23

wanted to see team chemistry flow even more.

“We just leave it all on the field,” she said.

All four are college-bound in some capacity.

Zbaraschuk plans to play

Check out the Coupons in today’s CountyWide Classifieds

SAMPLE

SAMPLE

PSES Yankees 18, First Federal Fierce Angels 14 • April 25 East Jefferson def. PSES Yankees (no score available) • April 27 First Federal Fierce Angels 15, Port Townsend 5

softball for the University of Washington, a plan set at the beginning of her junior year.

Haupt is heading to Central Washington University, but not for sports. Grubb is set for Simpson University in

Redding, Calif., but she’s not going to play softball her freshman year. She’s not ruling it out for her sophomore year, though. Rhodefer is considering Pacific Lutheran University.

SPORTS CALENDAR School sports schedule May 1 TBA — Sequim High School girls tennis at Olympic League tournament. Location TBA. 4 p.m. — Sequim High School fastpitch at Olympic (Silverdale). JV at home.

May 2 11:45 a.m. — Sequim High School golf at Olympic League tournament.

At Gold Mountain Golf Course, Bremerton.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys soccer at Olympic (Silverdale).

May 4 TBA — Sequim High School track and field at Olympic League meet.

At North Kitsap High School, Poulsbo.

May 6 4 p.m. — Sequim High School fastpitch at Port Townsend. JV at home.

6:45 p.m. — Sequim High School boys soccer vs. North Kitsap. At high school soccer stadium, 601 N. Sequim Ave. May 8 3 p.m. — Sequim High School golf vs. Kingston.

At The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course, 1965 Woodcock Road.

3:15 p.m. — Sequim High School track and field non-qualifiers meet.

At Blue Heron Middle School, Port Townsend.

May 11 3:30 p.m. — Sequim High School track and field at 2A sub-district meet. At Bremerton High School.

Area sports/rec schedule May 1 8 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Ace Day. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

May 4 TBA - Peninsula Cup Challenge golf tournament. At SkyRidge Golf Course, 7015 Old Olympic Highway. Call 683-3673.

May 8 8 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Two-man best ball. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

5 p.m. — Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center board meeting. At The Fifth Avenue, 500 W. Hendrickson Road.

7-9 p.m. — Greywolf Fly-fishing Club. At Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

May 10 5-10 p.m. — Sequim Irrigation Festival Logging Show. Includes Strongman Showdown. At Blake property, Blake Avenue.

1:30 p.m. — Boys & Girls Club’s 22nd-annual Golf Tournament. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road. Call 683-8095 or see wwww. bgc-op.org.

May 11 10 a.m. — River Center 5k Run. Starts at JC Penney parking lot, 651 W. Washington St. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Call 477-1877.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Irrigation Festival Logging Show. At Blake property, Blake Avenue.

Tub and Tile Refinishing & RepaiR Journeyman Workmanship, Fiberglass Specialist.

Bathtubs • Showers Jacuzzis • Tile • Chip Repairs

Call Today for a Free Quote

MODERN REFINISHERS

360-417-1919

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 SEQUIM GAZETTE

Events set for Ziegler memorial Olympic Peninsula Motorcycle Club

A multi-event scholarship benefit is planned in Port Angeles on Saturday, July 6, in memory of Mason Ziegler, the 16-year-old Port Angeles honor student who died in a motorcycle crash at Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area in 2012.

• A Street Bike Run and Vintage Bike Show are at Port Angeles Power Equipment, 2624 E. Highway 101. The bike run begins at 10 a.m. (registration, 9 a.m.) with riders back by 2 p.m. and prizes drawn at 3 p.m. The bike show runs 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Olympic Peninsula Motorcycle Club, on Deer Park Road, hosts a Motocross Practice/Grand-Prix at 10 a.m. Entry is by donation. See www.opmc.org.

• Port Angeles City Pier is the starting point for a 5k/10k run/walk, beginning at 2 p.m. Registration is $25 at the start or online at masonzieglermemorial. wildapricot.org. Call 4616092.

• A spaghetti feed with silent auction runs from 5-9 p.m. at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St. Cost is $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under — or purchase a $5 discounted ticket when signing up for any of the other events. All proceeds will be awarded to a 2014 Port Angeles High School scholarship recipient.

Horse camp set in JeffCo The Jefferson County 4-H Horse Program hosts its annual Horse Camp at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, July 11-13.

This is an Open Horse Camp with limited registration of 35 riders. The camp is open to the public from the age of 8 years and/ or third grade to adult.

Cost is $75 per rider or $65 per rider for families with two or more registered. Entries should be postmarked with payment included by July 3.

A mandatory meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, for participants to receive their schedules, rules and guidelines.

For more information or registration forms, call Tanya Schweitzer at 360301-3559.

SPORTS

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 • B-5

Coming next week

Pirate soccer stars move on, play on B-5

SEQUIM GAZETTE

SPORTS BRIEFS P.A. is hosting volleyball camps

Three youth volleyball camps (grades K-12) are slated for this summer at Port Angeles High School.

Camp fee is $50 per person and includes a camp Tshirt (register by June 29).

For more information, call Christine Halberg at 989506-2263.

Sequim’s Allen gets an ace

David Allen of Sequim sank his third lifetime hole-in-one, acing the No. 11 hole at The Cedars at Dungeness on June 22.

He used a pitching wedge to drive the 122-yard hole.

As is custom at the end of each match, opponents — from left, George Davis, Patt Richardson, Katinka Nanna and Diana Herndon — congratulate each other. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

A-pickling they will go Sequim Picklers are serving up the fastest-growing sport in the nation

by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette

When it comes to pickleball in Sequim, there are only two rules, says player Dave Herndon: “Have fun and get the ball over the net, in that order.”

There’s more to the logistics, but that attitude seems to fit most of the Sequim Picklers, an inclusive group of pickleball players. Players describe the sport as a cross between pingpong and tennis. It was founded in 1965 on Bainbridge Island by U.S. Rep. Joel Pritchard and friends. The game uses Sequim Picklers a tennis-sized net on a badminton-sized court 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, with a smaller wiffle Thursday, Saturday ball and paddles. PlayS equim Communi t y ers go to 11 points with School, corner of Third only the serving team Avenue and Fir Street allowed to score.

In winter, at Sequim Driving by Sequim Boys & Girls Club, 400 W. Community School, Fir St., on Saturdays or you might have seen the Sundays Picklers’ growing group Pickleball is an event of 50 members playing in the Olympic Peninsula 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesdays, Senior Games, Aug. 23-25: Thursdays and SaturRoosevelt Elementadays in the rain or snow ry School, 106 Monroe or worse. Some say that Road, Port Angeles if there’s ice on the Singles, doubles and ground, they’ll wait for mixed doubles for people it to thaw and squeegee over 45. it off and play on.

For more information, “You become addictvisit olympicpeninsulaed to it,” said newcomer seniorgames.com.

Patt Richardson.

She plays almost seven days a week but she’s not alone. One of the Sequim Picklers’ founders, Kathy Mahnerd, said some of the group love the sport so much they painted lines in their driveways to play even more.

The love for pickleball is deep in Sequim and started about four years ago with Mahnerd, Diana Herndon, Jan Tatom and

Two dozen fighters are slated for an evening of mixed martial arts competition at the Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish, including three from the Olympic Peninsula, in a Reign Promotions event on June 29.

The event kicks off at 7 p.m. with a

matchup at 160 pounds between Ken Maxfield of Port Angeles and Daquan Phillips of Bremerton. The evening’s fifth fight features Nicholas Wayne Ross of Port Angeles taking on Josh Reyes of Moses Lake at 135 pounds. Jake Blaski of Sequim squares off against Kyle Cavasos of Bremerton in the 10th fight.

Reign Promotions was created by UFC

What gets lost everytime you stand up?

The Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center, 610 N. Fifth Ave., offers new classes beginning in July.

The classes include Body Sculpting, Intermediate Step, Beginning Yoga, Functional Fitness and Athletic Development (for ages 13-18), Fit Kids (ages 8-12) and Beginning Kick Boxing (for parents and youths age 8 and older).

For more information or to sign up, call 683-3344.

Wrestling camp brings back gold medalist

Bertie Litchfield returns a low serve to save a point for her team.

Nancy Spence before quickly growing from once a week to more often. With permission of the Sequim School District, they’ve used the west side of the community school’s playground and have up to five courts and 20 players going at a time.

Winners stay on the same court after a match but players switch partners each time, which can add a new dynamic to games with up to 10 or more people waiting to play next.

Tatom said any age and level of ability can play so long as there’s no swearing or loss of temper.

“This is a fun place to be,” she said.

See PICKLEBALL, B-6

Trio of locals on card for MMA showdown Sequim Gazette staff

SARC offers new classes

fighter Bristol Marunde, a 2000 Sequim High School graduate and competitor in the Q13 Fox series “The Ultimate Fighter.”

This rain-or-shine family friendly event includes music and a full-service bar.

Tickets are $55-$75 for reserved seating and $35 for general admission.

To purchase tickets, go to www.clearwatercasino.com.

Your lap!

The Olympic Mountain Wrestling Camp is scheduled July 22-25 at Port Angeles High School, 304 E. Park Ave. The camp features Bruce Baumgartner, two-time Olympic Games champion and three-time world champ, and Justin Abdou, 2000 Canadian Olympian.

Sessions are 9 a.m.-noon and 1-3:30 p.m. each day.

Cost is $110 per camper before July 1 and $135 after July 1. Fee includes daily lunch, camp T-shirt and instruction. Register online at www.stadiumroar. com/pawrestling.

Call Erik Gonzalez at 565-1584 or 457-1182.

BMX track hosts state race

The Port Angeles BMX track hosts a state championship Sunday, July 26, with a Friday Single and a Saturday Donation “Race for Life” on the same weekend. Advertisers and/ or donators are encouraged See pabmxtrack.com or call Geri at 461-9103.

B-6 • Wednesday, June 26, 2013

SPORTS CALENDAR June 26 8 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Scramble. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

July 3 8 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Ace Day. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

July 10 8 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Two-man best ball. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

5 p.m. — Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center board meeting. At The Fifth Avenue, 500 W. Hendrickson Road.

7-9 p.m. — Greywolf Flyfishing Club. At Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

July 15-18 9 a.m.-noon — Youth volleyball camp. At Port Angeles High School, 304 E. Park Ave. Call 989-506-2263.

SEQUIM GAZETTE

Pickleball From page B-5

In the winter, the club moves inside to the Sequim Boys & Girls Club on Saturdays or Sundays and hosts an annual tournament to benefit the club.

The picklers’ $15 annual dues help pay for nets and balls. They try to be good stewards, too, by weeding and maintaining the courts and the area nearby.

Diana Herndon said the sport is relatively inexpensive to play — newbies just need a paddle to start. Many members have extra paddles and are willing to share so you can get a feel for the right paddle for you, too.

Pickleball players speak up

Kathy Mahnerd, right, makes quick work of a hit near the net while teammate Diana Herndon looks on. Sequim Gazette photo

by Matthew Nash

As Sequim’s pickleball numbers grow, so do the nation’s. The USA Pickleball Association says it is the fastest-growing game in the U.S. Local players said some clubs in California and Florida host more than 1,000 members.

Katinka Nanna, another newcomer to the sport, said there is a slight learning curve but there are plenty of good teachers in Sequim.

“The more you play against better

players, the better you become,” she said. “Each time I play, I feel more confident.”

Richardson agrees about the learning curve.

“People who have it done it a long time make it look easy with backhands and dinks (soft hits) over the net,” she said. “At first I tended to hit it too hard or miss totally but everyone you play with makes you feel good.”

While Sequim’s members are mostly

retired or of retirement age, the level of competition doesn’t waver.

Nanna said she’s amazed at the amount of people in their 50s through 70s playing.

“It’s a great activity to keep you agile and another great way to keep up your hand and eye coordination,” she said.

To gauge her level of activity, Mahnerd wears a pedometer while playing to see how many steps she takes. It goes upward of 7,500 steps per session.

Herndon is trying to cross the generation gap and promote the sport to her grandsons.

“It’s a game Grandpa and Grandma can play with them and be competitive against them and win,” she said.

There isn’t a battle of the sexes going on, either.

Jack O’Brien, a player from Port Angeles, said it’s the one sport he’s played where the men can’t overpower the women.

Typically, Sequim Picklers stick to doubles matches.

Dave Herndon said singles is harder on the body but playing doubles allows more people to play.

“Unlike tennis, it’s a paddle sport people with bad knees and elbows can play,” he said.

Get in a pickle

The Sequim Picklers are part of USAPA and it’s not uncommon for travelers to look up the group and join in. On Aug. 24, the group hosts a clinic — details to come. Pickleball is played at SARC and Sunland in Sequim and at the Elks Park, Jefferson Elementary School, Port Angeles Senior Center, Vern Burton Recreation Center and the YMCA in Port Angeles.

COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD BMX

Port Angeles BMX • June 18 4 & Under Strider — 1. Luci Barto, 2. Shirley Manuel 9 Girls — 1. Taylor “American Idol” Tolliver, 2. Taylor “Chew Toy” Coleman, 3. Taylee Rome 31-35 Cruiser — 1. Scott Gulisao, 2. Jaron Tolliver, 3. Robert “Face Plant” Williams 5 & Under Novice — 1.

Cameron Colfax, 2. Caitlin Humphries, 3. Carson Waddell 26-30 Girls Cruiser — 1.

Mariah “The Wind” Fortman, 2. “Scary Geri” Thompson, 3.

Taylor “American Idol” Tolliver 8 Novice — 1. Kason Albaugh, 2. Harmony Colfax, 3. Keona Brewer, 4. Cholena Morrison 6 Intermediate — 1. Jesse Vail, 2. “Smash” Cash Coleman, 3.

Jaron Tolliver 9 Intermediate — 1. Toppy Robideau, 2. Zach Gavin, 3. Josh Gavin, 4. Aydan Vail, 5. Joseph Ritchie 10 Intermediate — 1. Moose Johnson, 2. Jaxon Bourm, 3.

Amber Johnson 13 Intermediate — 1. Kai Spafford, 2. Trey Mannor, 3. Mariah “The Wind” Fortman 15 Expert — 1. Greg Faris, 2.

Trenton Owen, 3. KC O’Meara, 4. Austin Washke 6 Open — 1. Jesse Vail, 2.

Cameron Colfax, 3. Kason Albaugh 8 Open — 1. Toppy Robideau, 2. Taylee Rome, 3. Harmony Colfax, 4. Cholena Morrison 9 Open — 1. Zach Gavin, 2.

Moose Johnson, 3. Josh Gavin 10 Open — 1. Kai Spafford, 2.

Jaxon Bourm, 3. Amber Johnson 15 Open — 1. Greg Faris, 2. Trenton Owen, 3. Austin Washke.

• June 23

31-35 Cruiser — 1. Rick Lee, 2. Scott Gulisao, 3. Charlie Lee, 4. Robert “Face Plant” Williams 5 & Under Novice — 1.

Cameron Colfax, 2. Caitlin Humphries, 3. Dion Johnson 6 Novice — 1. Cody Amsdill, 2. Kason Albaugh, 3. Weston Owens 10 Novice — 1. Cameron Lee, 2. Bodi Sanderson, 3. Amber Johnson, 4. Cholena Morrison 7 Intermediate — 1. Joseph Ritchie, 2. “Smash” Cash Coleman 9 Intermediate — 1. Moose Johnson, 2. Taylor “Chew Toy” Coleman, 3. James Hampton 6 Special Open — 1. Joseph Ritchie, 2. Cody Amsdill, 3.

“Smash” Cash Coleman, 4. Kason Albaugh.

Bowling

Sequim Olympic Lanes • Sequim Spring Classic league, June 5 Men’s high game: Eric Fetterman, 209; Men’s high series: Fetterman, 581; Women’s high game: Gayle Long, 188; Women’s high series: Ginny Bowling, 491; League leader: Fun time (by 0.5 points) • Thursday Nine-Pin No-Tap league, June 6 Men’s high game: Pete Centeno, 235; Men’s high series: Gordy Omdal, 549; Women’s high game: Ginny Bowling, 275; Women’s high series: Holly Robirts, 514 • Sequim Spring Classic league, June 12 Men’s high game: Eric Fetterman, 191; Men’s high series: Pete Centeno, 512; Women’s high game: Ginny Bowling, 194; Women’s high series: Joan Wright, 494; League leader: Fun time (by 0.5 points)

• Thursday Nine-Pin No-Tap league, June 13 Men’s high game: Cliff Silliman, 232; Men’s high series: Gunter Kessler, 544; Women’s high game: Linda Chansky, 221; Women’s high series: Holly Robirts, 473.

Golf

The Cedars at Dungeness • Women’s 18-Hole Golf Group, Beat the Pro, June 18 First division — 1. Pat Schumacher, 69; 2. Pat Conway, 71; 3.

Lori Wyngaert, 73 Second division — 1. Joanie Oakes, 67; 2. Donna Maclean, 69; 3. Vernice Quigley, 70 K Ps: Maclea n, Quigley, Schumacher Putts: Schumacher 30, Maclean 32 Birdies: Gail Savage.

• Lady Niners, Hate ‘Em, June 19 First division — 1. Debbi Kahle, 27.5; 2. Olympia Brehm, 29; 3. Andi Grams, 29.5. Putts: Olympia Brehm 15. Chip-in: Brehm Second division — 1. Vernice Quigley, 29; 2. Pat Charters, 31; 3. Terri Green, 32. Putts: Lindsay Busch 18.

• Merchants League, June 20 Team scores: Dungeness Tile and Stone 7.5, Jamestown Aces 2.5 Dungeness Golf Shop 7.5, Eric’s RV Repair 2.5 Wash N Go Car Wash 9.5, America’s Finest 0.5 Double Eagle 8, Windermere Sequim-East 2 Dungeness Plumbing 5.5, Eagle Home Mortgage 4.5 SkyRidge Golf Club 9, Stymie’s Bar and Grill 1 Mischmidt 7.5, Sequim Plumbing 2.5

Watch for Coupons in next week’s CountyWide Classifieds

Team standings 1. SkyRidge Golf Club 47.5 2. Wash N Go Car Wash 44.5 3. Dungeness Plumbing 43.5 4. Double Eagle 41.5 5. Eric’s RV Repair 40.5 6. Sequim Plumbing 36.5 7. Eagle Home Mortgage 35.5 8. Dungeness Tile & Stone 32.5 9. Mischmidt 30 10. Dungeness Golf Shop 29 11. Windermere Seq.-East 29 12. Jamestown Aces 28.5 13. America’s Finest 28.5 14. Stymie’s Bar and Grill 23 Individual results” Low division — Gross: 1. Gary Kettel, 36; 2. Jeff Pedersen, 39; 3. (tie) Ron Sather and Evin Still, 40. Net: 1. (tie) Tyler Forshaw, Bill Francis, Josh Francis, Kris Lether, Jeremy Oliver and Darren Stephens, 34.

High Division — Gross: 1.

Matt Warren, 47; 2. Jeff Kussin, 48; 3. Randy Beckman, 49; 4.

Vern Ahrendes, 50. Net: 1. Betty Kettel, 32; 2. Larry Kettel, 33; 3. Dean Norman, 34; 4. Chris Curtis, 35 KPs: Forshaw, Kettel, Kirk Gries.

• Men’s Club, 2013 Seniors Tournament, June 19 and 21 Overall Low Gross — Garry Kettel, 150; Overall Low Net — Mike Sutton, 134 Age 52-64, low flight — Gross: 1. Kettel, 150; 2. Tim Trosin, 152.

Net: 1. (tie) David Allen, Brian Anderson and Larry Smithson, 139 Age 52-64, high flight — Gross: 1. Ken Beard, 179; 2. (tie) Robin Allen and Dave Goodwin, 181. Net: 1. Kevin McCormack, 145; 2. (tie) Tom Hamman, Kent McKellar and Barry Tuteur, 149 Age 65-72, low flight — Gross: 1. John Raske, 155; 2. John Magee, 160. Net: 1. Larry Pulver, 137; 2. Everett Thometz, 140; 3.

Warren Cortez, 142 Age 65-72, high flight — Gross: 1. Cary Richardson, 166; 2. Milt Mickey, 171. Net: 1. Mike Sutton, 134; 2. James Engel, 135; 3. (tie) Morris Fosse and Kip McKeever, 140 Age 73-93, low flight — Gross: 1. Walt Stetter, 171; 2. Steve Lewis, 174.Net: 1. Jerry McLinn, 140; 2. Ron Fye, 142; 3. Ted Johnson, 144 Age 73-93, high flight — Gross: 1. Gayle Doyle, 182; 2. Arlen Pearsall, 197. Net: 1. Whitey Best, 146; 2. Bob Hammond, 148; 3. Bates Bankert 149.

SkyRidge Golf Course • 10th Anniversary Tournament, June 15 Gross: 1. Mike Dupuis and Gary Thorne, 67. Net: 1. Neil Cays and Don Daniels, 57.4; 2.

Gina Valaske andGreg Valaske, 57.8; 3. Dusty Henry and Pete Young, 58.8;4. Coral Millet and Jeff Pedersen, 61.0.

• Member’s Event, Better Nine, June 16 Net: 1. Dan Dougherty, 26; 2. Greg Valaske, 28.5; 3. Gina Valaske, 30; 4. Don Tipton, 31; 5. (tie) Don Daniels, Jim Lounsberry and Jeff Pedersen, 31.5; 9. (tie) Jerry Pedersen and Mike Penna, 32; 11. Gene Potter, 32.5; 12. (tie) Chuck Parrish and Mark Willis, 33.

Sunland Golf & Country Club • Men’s Niners, Low Putts, June 18 1. George Dressler, 12; 2. Fritz Field, 15; 3. (tie) Jim Elvert and Bob Erzen, 16.

• 2013 Women’s Member/ Member results Overall champions — Gross: Judy Nordyke and Witta Priester, 168. Net: Dana Burback and

MAKE YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE A PRIORITY. You can rely on us for: • Highly Personal Service • A Quality-Focused Investment Philosophy

E L P M A S

• Convenience

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

SAMPLE SAMPLE

Nancy Harlan, 128 First flight — Gross: 1. Judy Flanders and Ruth Lowe, 177; 2.

Cheryl Coulter and Carol Goodman, 178. Net: 1. M.J. Anderson and Rose Lauritsen, 129.6; 2.

Dorene Berard and Jan Prout, 133.4; 3. Barb Evans and Nan Godfrey, 138 Straight drive: Anderson, Coulter. KPs: Priester 2.

• Men’s Mixer, 1-2 Net Best Balls, June 19 1. Dick Baughn, Tom Caufield, Joe Hart and Jerry Hurd, 86; 2. (tie) Dave Anderson, Dave Martin, Russ McClelland and Owen Prout; Allen Estes, Brad Littlefield, Mark Meythaler and Arlyn Nelson, 91.

• Lady Niners, Odd Holes, June 20 1. Christie Wilson, 20.5; 2.

Gwyen Boger, 21; 3. Lani Warren, 21.

• SWGA, Blue-Red, June 20 Blue team (winners): Effie Bentley, Dana Burback, Pennie Dickin, Nonie Dunphy, Nan Godfrey, Nancy Harlan, Rose Lauritsen, Alice Myers, Judy Nordyke, Witta Priester, Jan Prout.

• 2013 Men’s Member/Member results Overall champions — Gross: Mark Meythaler and Jay Tomlin, 143. Net: Jim Elvert and Jerry Hurd, 120.6 First flight — Gross: 1. Mike Novotny and Roger Olsen, 150; 2. Richard Baughn and John Sims, 152. Net: 1.

Bill Engle and Mike Main, 130; 2. Henry Meyer and Mike Schmidt, 130.2 Second flight — Gross: 1.

Jim Hanley and Ken Orth, 163; 2. Dick Evans and Bruce Mullikin, 170. Net: 1. Bob Berard and Owen Prout, 124; 2. Maury Fitzgerald and Karl Kelley, 126.6

Softball

Port Angeles adult league standings Men’s Purple Division Coo Coo Nest 12-4 Ace Michael’s Inc. 12-4 Lincoln Street Coffeepot 10-6 U.S. Coast Guard 8-8 Evergreen Collision 7-9 Elwha Braves 4-12 Moon Palace Bombers 3-13 Men’s Gold Division Next Door Gastropub 10-4 Cafe New Day Redbirds 10-4 Elwha Young Gunz 9-5 Earth Tech Construction 6-8 Moose Lodge Bulls 4-10 All Weather Heating 3-11 Women’s Division Shirley’s Cafe 14-2 Law Office of Alan Millet 13-2 Smuggler’s Landing 12-4 Elwha Bravettes 9-7 Shaltry/Rudd Ortho.

7-7 California Horizon 5-11 Extreme Sports Park 2-14 Airport Garden Center 1-14

DentureCare inc.

FEELING THE BITE OF HIGH DENTURE COSTS? Michael Gillispie, D.P.D.

• Full & Partial Dentures Over 35 Years Experience ~ Licensed Denturist • Mini-Implant & Implant Supported Dentures • Same Day Service for Most Relines & Repairs Member: WDA, NDA, IDF

David K. Do, D.D.S. Call for an appointment

• Gentle Dentistry including Cosmetics, Extractions, Crowns, Bridges and Endodontics www.denturecareinc.com denturecare@olympus.net 124 W. Spruce, Sequim

360-681-7089

TTE

ed,

-10 756 ree.

ula cle, nth Uniowd in liaapor rg.

SPORTS

Bowling, college football-style (Part 2 of 3) B-5

SEQUIM GAZETTE

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK

fee sech in omifth Se0@

Michael Dashiell It’s Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and you’re likely not working, so you have plenty of time to read the sports page.

So put down that eggnog and pay attention.

In Part II of my college bowl previews, we get a nice prelude of interesting match-ups before the biggies that start on New Year’s Day. Consider this the Empire Strikes Back of the trilogy.

And try not to bet too much on these games. College teams, even powerhouses, are notoriously fickle this time of year (I attribute it to players spending too much time on their Playstations).

.m.

Bar ton

ed, 6.

ses,

gin geCall and at

390 m; 87; 4 4; e@ 25myson 81ses/ rgy opcan ree ch, 81reent,

PR/ saspet 33g.

ns

ontact an110 g.

call 1 or

on rail ry-

Dec. 28

Alexas Besand looks to take her Sequim Wolves basketball team to the districts tournament this year with a new attitude and team-centered attitude. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Sequim trifecta Senior Alexas Besand is a three-sport star at SHS — on the volleyball court, the hoops hardwood and the softball field

by MATTHEW NASH

3C945883

she said.

Through the club and local coaches, Besand learned she could Whether she’s as flashy as “Hol- become an athlete. lywood” or as smooth as “butter” “Without Sequim I wouldn’t be on the field or courts, Alexas Besand where I’m at today,” she said. “If I was remains one of the driving forces for still in Bremerton (where I moved Sequim High girls’ athletics. from), I mostly likely wouldn’t be Now a senior, Besand — also playing sports. Coaches here recogknown as “Lex,” “Lexie,” “Holly- nized I could be athletic.” wood” or “butter” — is shining on Dave Bentz recalls the first time the basketball court, where she’s he met Besand on the softball field. played varsity all “My first impresfour years. sion of her was that Sequim shuts down This spring she’ll she was awesome,” NM’s Bulldogs be on the varsity Bentz said, “The girl fastpitch squad for Caitlin Stofferahn scores 16 in is a natural athlete.” a fourth year and win at Belfair. See story, B-6 Bentz and the Beshe just finished her sand family became third year on the varsity volleyball close over the years with fellow squad after a freshman stint on the senior Makayla Bentz, soccer and JV soccer squad. fastpitch standout, who is one Be“I thought I was going to get in sand’s best friends. shape for basketball but that didn’t “We opened up to her right off the work so much for me,” Besand bat,” Dave Bentz said. “She calls me joked.

Uncle Dave, which is sweet. It’s one Ironically, her interest in sports of the nice things out of coaching.” began at the Sequim Boys & Girls Makayla said she met Besand Club playing indoor soccer. on the softball field, too and they “It wasn’t really my forte, but then became friends shortly thereafter.

I played volleyball and basketball,” “Alexas is one of the nicest people Sequim Gazette

Alexas Besand (in bottom photo, No. 45) is a standout in three sports at Sequim High. Sequim Gazette file photos by Michael Dashiell

I know; even if she doesn’t know Taylor Balkan, a long-time friend them, in school, sports, anything, and former Sequim High volleyball she’s always encouraging others,” See BESAND, B-6 Makayla said.

BOYS BASKETBALL

Barry, Wolves bury North Mason Bulldogs

by MICHAEL DASHIELL Sequim Gazette

3C947846

im

Sequim guard Anthony Pinza dribbles through the North Mason defense in the second half of the Wolves’ 58-36 win on Dec. 18.

Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Alex Barry scored 22 points, Vance Willis has 11 and Rory Kallappa aded 10 as Sequim breezed past North Mason 58-36 on Dec. 18.

The Wolves (4-1) ran roughshod over the visiting Bulldogs 17-0 in the first quarter and held a 34-13 lead by halftime.

Barry, who leads the Wolves with an 18.2 points-per-game average, sank three 3-pointers and was 9-of-18 from the field.

He also had a team high 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass.

Sequim corralled 52 rebounds, 18 on

North Mason’s end.

“We crashed the offensive boards really well,” Sequim guard Anthony Pinza said.

“We know teams are a lot more difficult (than North Mason) so we used it to prepare for them.”

Posts Erik Christensen and Josh McConnaughey had eight rebounds and two blocks apiece. Point guard Anthony Pinza had a game-high five assists and three steals.

Josh Cibene had six points off the bench.

“I’m pleased our bench guys got an opportunity (like) Josh Cibene and Bailey

See BOYS HOOPS, B-6

• New Era Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx, N.Y. Matchup: Rutgers vs. Notre Dame Time: 9 a.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: It’s hard to pick against the Irish (8-4) of Notre Dame. This year, Rutgers makes that pretty easy.

The Scarlet Knights (6-6) are barely bowl-eligible, losing five of their final seven games.

Tommy Rees and the Irish will get it done.

My pick: Notre Dame, 31-10 Bowl name: Pinstripes are always classy, even if the Yankees aren’t always so. Kidding. 7.0.

• Belk Bowl, Charlotte, N.C. Matchup: Cincinnati vs.

North Carolina Time: 12:20 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: All three of Cincinnati’s losses this season were to good teams. At 9-3, the Bearcats have a solid air attack. North Carolina may only be 6-6, but all their losses were to solid teams as well. This may not be one of the premier bowls, but it may be one of the more entertaining ones.

My pick: North Carolina, 35-27 Bowl name: An improvement over its previous incarnation, the Meineke Car Care Bowl? Not so sure. 4.5.

• Russell Athletic Bowl, Orlando, Fla. Matchup: Miami vs. Louisville Time: 3:45 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: I love this matchup. Miami (9-3) was climbing the ranks until a three-game losing streak brought them back to earth while Louisville (11-1) has just one ugly mark on its record, a three-point loss to Central Florida. The NFL’s next big QB, Teddy Bridgewater, leads the Cardinals to a win in another entertaining game.

My pick: Louisville, 45-30 Bowl name: I like it, only because it reminds me of Russell Wilson. 7.0.

• Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, Tempe, Ariz.

Matchup: Michigan vs.

Kansas State Time: 7:15 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Michigan (7-5) comes into this one struggling, losers of four of their past five games. Kansas State (7-5) is hot, however, as their strong running attack has them bowl eligible after winning five of six. I like the Wildcats in this one.

My pick: Kansas State, 27-10 Bowl name: Who doesn’t like wings? C’mon! 7.5.

See BOWLING, B-7

B-6 • December 25, 2013

SEQUIM GAZETTE

SPORTS PREP SPORTS CALENDAR School sports schedule Dec. 27-29 7 p.m. — Peninsula College men’s basketball at Big Bend Tournament, Moses Lake.

Dec. 28 10 a.m. — Sequim High School wrestling at North Mason Classic, Belfair.

Jan. 4 10 a.m. — Sequim High School wrestling at Battle for the Axe, Port Angeles.

4 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball at Whatcom. Men start at 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 2:45 p.m. — Sequim High School bowling at at Olympic (Silverdale).

7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball vs.

North Kitsap. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball at North Kitsap (Poulsbo).

Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Area sports/ recreation Dec. 27 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: Dungeness Spit horse trails. Call 681-0359.

Sequim girls knock off North Mason Wrestlers fall to Olympic, swim crew drops decision at North Kitsap Sequim Gazette staff

The Wolves rebounded from a close Monday loss to swamp the winless North Mason Bulldogs on Dec. 18.

Sequim (3-1 in league, 3-3 overall) moved into a tie for second with North Kitsap (3-1, 5-2) after the 46-26 win over the Bulldogs.

Caitlin Stofferahn led Sequim for the second straight game in points this time with 16. Hailey Lester turned in an all-around game with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals while McKenzie Bentz finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds.

North Mason only scored one point in the first quarter and finished with eight points in the half.

The Wolves (4-1 in league, 4-3 overall) beat Klahowya 48-43 on Dec. 20 to move into second place in the league; details were not available at press time for this section.

Sequim plays next Jan. 7 at North Kitsap.

Wrestling: Sequim avoids shutout with two pins Two Wolves kept the wrestling squad from being shutout at home last Thursday

against the Olympic Trojans.

Kevyn Ward (145) won Sequim’s first match with a late pin over Melvin Santos in 4:59 while Michael Latimer (220) pinned Matthew Guerrero in 3:03 in the last match of the night.

Coach Charles Drabek said he was glad Ward got the pin because it got Sequim on the board.

Royhon Agostine (132) also fought a close match in an 8-7 decisional loss to Jayden Fernandez, which Drabek said was a hard fought match.

Sequim moved to 0-2 in league with the 68-12 while the Trojans moved to 2-0.

In junior varsity matches, Kaylee Ditlefsen (138) pinned Madi Asaro in 1:28, Nathan Allison (220) pinned Logan Metzger in 1:09 and Nick Barrett (285) pinned Dominic Bataglia in 2:57.

Coach Bill Schroepfer said the team will focus on more defensive moves in upoming practices.

For the holiday break, the team competes in multiple invites. Last weekend, the varsity squad traveled to the “Hammerhead” in Silverdale on Dec. 21 and 22 with the girls team competing on the

T Dec Chr B tou “

Bo

Fro

De

Kevyn Ward works his way to a victory against Olympic’s Melvin Santos. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Dec. 22 as well.

This weekend the team travels to the North Mason Classic on Dec. 27 for JV and 28 for varsity. Before school starts again, they’ll compete in the “Battle for the Axe” in Port Angeles on Jan. 4.

Sequim’s Caitlin Stofferahn goes up for a jumpshot as Sequim takes on Kingston on Dec. 16. Stofferahn scored 15 points against the Bucs, then led Sequim with 16 points two days later in a win at North Mason.

Boys swimming/diving: Vikings sink Wolves

Sequim swimmers moved to 0-3 on the season after dropping a tough 130-44 meet against the North Kitsap Vikings (2-1). Individual results were not available by press time.

Look for more details in the Jan. 1 edition.

Keep to the court

to do, but has a desire to do.”

Besand’s best Sequim sports’ memory so far was catching the last out of the 2A state championship her freshman year in 2011.

“It didn’t hit me until a few days later,” Besand said. “As a freshman, it’s a complete breath-taker.”

In Besand’s sophomore year they placed fourth and didn’t place last year but the team is hoping for the championship again.

“For the past few seasons it’s been a bit of a breeze,” Besand said.

“It’s not an automatic top four into districts. We’re going to have to work our booties off and get down to business.”

McFarlen, who has coached her through Sequim High and the TNT travel team, said Besand is an impact player and a big part of the team.

“It’s been so enjoyable to be around her,” McFarlen said.

“For me, it’s a privilege to coach her everyday. She’s such a great kid and player.”

important.

“It keeps them in shape and Playing basketball almost wasn’t hones their skills in a lot of other an option this year for Besand.

Her intent was to focus more on areas that softball might not do,” her grades and save money for col- he said. lege until she spoke with her mom and Dave Bentz about her options. Academic-minded While Besand pushes herself on “I told her that you have to take advantage of the opportunities in the court, she balances a lot outside life,” Bentz said. “There’s no second of sports.

She spends the weekdays in chance and if you don’t play this season, whether at college or at a school and at practices and doing reunion, whatever, you’ll wish you homework, while Saturday mornings are for work at Burger King and had played your senior year.”

Sequim High girls basketball softball practice in the afternoon, coach Evan Still said Besand Sunday is a day off.

College is definitely a go for stepped up from the get-go this season after missing the first day of Besand, who’s interesting in studytryouts, staying an extra 45 minutes ing graphic design or architecture, though she said she’s just not sure the second day.

“We never have to worry about which school.

“I just took the ACTs so I’m waither working hard,” Still said. “She has a lot of drive to be the best. She’s ing for my scores and acceptance letters,” Besand said. a coach’s dream.”

Most colleges she’s eying are Besand plans to take her team to the West Central District tourna- in Oregon, close to family, but if ment after failing to reach it in her she chooses a Division III school, freshman season just one win short. she’ll said she’ll likely attend on an Still hopes her experience on the academic scholarship rather than state fastpitch squad can help the athletic scholarship.

But if she goes to a school to play basketball team, too.

“Even though it’s a different softball, she intends to try out for sport, these girls don’t have a lot of the basketball team too.

McFarlen said his goal is to see that experience so hopefully she can show them what it’s like to be on a her play ball somewhere and he’ll help any way he can. winning team,” he said.

“She could definitely play softball McFarlen said Besand and other girls playing multiple sports is at any level,” he said.

tensen for his play inside. “He’s really playing well; his presence allows From page B-5 us to do so many things,” Glasser said of the Sequim post.

Earley,” Sequim coach Greg Glasser “He changes the game out there said. for us.”

Glaser also praised Erik ChrisSequim got a visit from several

players from last year’s team that placed No. 6 at the state 2A tourney, including Jayson Brocklesby, Gabe Carter, Tim Guan and Evan Hill.

“It was nice to see them; we were a tight group last year,” Pinza said.

The Seattle Times has Sequim ranked No. 7 in the 2A classification, the only Olympic League team garnering votes.

The Wolves (4-1 in league, 5-1 overall) beat Klahowya 59-47 on Dec. 20 and are in second place in

From page B-5 player, echoed this.

“She can laugh and have fun off the court and when it comes to being on the court, it’s focused and she’s not going to mess around,” Balkan said.

Standout athlete

Sequim’s girls basketball squad is counting on upperclassmen like Alexas Besand to earn a spot in the West Central District playoffs come spring. Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

Boys hoops

the Olympic League. ALex Barry had a team-high 29 points. Other details were not available at press time for this section.

The Wolves are off for winter break until Jan. 7, when they host North Kitsap.

COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD Basketball Port Angeles adult league • Dec. 15 P.A. Swimmin’ Hole & Fireplace 58, Strait Flooring/ Wired Energy Drinks 54 Leading scorers — P.A. Swimmin’: Reggie Burke 25, Rian Norfleet 12; Strait Flooring: Manny Chavez 11, Anthony Ward 11, Joe Gladfelter 9 SkyRidge Ridgerunners 102, Sunny Farms 37 Leading scorers — SkyRidge: Sean O’Mera 40, Taylor Thorson 20, Jerry Pedersen 20; Sunny Farms: Rylan Dahl 12, Tim Goldsbury 10 Anytime Fitness 59, Servicemen 54 Leading scorers — Anytime: Marcus Buren 14, Woody Strangle 13; Servicemen: John Textor 16, Dan Linde 15.

Bowling

Sequim Olympic Lanes • Wall Street Journal league, Dec. 10 Men’s high game: Bill Sheets, 171; Men’s high series: George Kennedy, 430; Women’s high game: Holly Robirts, 172; Women’s high series: Robirts, 428; League leader: Bill Sheets (by 6 points) • Sunlanders I league, Dec. 10 Men’s high game: Dick Evans, 191; Men’s high series: Ed Jones, 478; Women’s high game: Gail Savage, 159; Women’s high series: Savage, 473; League leader: The Strikers (by 3.5 points) • First Federal Senior Snipers league, Dec. 11 Men’s high game: Jay Cameron, 222; Men’s high series:

KPs: Lane, Pinger, Ryan, Warren Cortez, Jay Howard.

SkyRidge Golf Course • Triple Six Tournament, Dec. 14 Gross: 1. Ken Chace III and Jac Osborn, 99. Net: 1. Allen Patton and Jeff Pedersen, 85.8.

• Member’s Event, Substitute Par All Par Threes, Dec. 15 Golf Net: 1. Dan Reeves, 59; The Cedars at Dungeness 2. (tie) Steve Lee and John • Men’s Club, Stableford, O’Rourke, 63; 4. Dennis Ferrie, 64; 5. (tie) Don Daniels and Dec. 18 First flight — 1. Allen Balla, Chuck Parrish, 67; 7. (tie) Mike 39; 2. Rodney Harp, 37; 3. John Penna and Richard Garvey, 68.

Raske, 36 Second flight — 1. Wayne Running • 2013 Rain-Deer Fun Run Pinger 39; 2. (tie) Ted Johnson (5k), Port Angeles, Dec. 14 and Paul Ryan, 34 Boys 13U — 1. Liam Payne, Third flight — 1. Joe Tomita, 40; 2. Tim Lane, 36; 3. 23:19; 2. Blake Hobbs, 29:11; 3.

Easton Dempsey, 34:22 Richard Koharian, 34 Jim Getchman, 550; Women’s high game: Linda Chansky, 176; Women’s high series: Chansky, 501; League leader: Derringers (by 2 points) • Thursday Nine-Pin noTap league, Dec. 12 Men’s high game: Gunter Kessler, 266; Women’s high series: Joan Wright, 584.

S ing P Mac

Vo

Besand

Besand is a decorated Wolves player. For fastpitch, she was second-team all-league in 2011, and first-team all league for two years, and is a likely MVP candidate this year, said fastpitch coach Mike McFarlen.

Besand led the Wolves in RBIs (50) while slugging eight home runs and nine doubles for a .556 average in the 2012 season.

In volleyball, she’s earned allleague second-team honors the last two years and been an honorable mention for the last two years in basketball. Last year she averaged 14.7 points per game and 11.1 rebounds in basketball.

Her mom, Melissa Besand, said Alexas’ drive comes for her desire to be the best.

“She likes to be that leader on a team and wants to help other people,” Melissa Besand said. “Playing sports helps her to help the girls be better. It’s not something she has

Pri

Boys 14-18 — 1. Hunter Dempsey, 19:25; 2. Austin Craig, 38:29 Men’s 19-29 — 1. Wilder Schaaf, 16:49 Men’s 30-39 — 1. Ben Gauen, 21:31; 2. Rob DeCou, 35:38 Men’s 40-49 — 1. Mark Craig, 25:23 Men’s 50-59 — 1. Bart Kale, 25:33; 2. Ivan Sorensen, 37:59 Men’s 6-69 — 1. Roy Oesterhaus, 24:39; 2. Bruce Reiter, 29:20; 3 Gary Huff, 29:28 Men’s 70+ — 1. Terry Reichardt, 44:45 Girls 13U — 1. Kynzie Deleon, 23:24; 2. Claire Henninger, 26:23; 3. Claire Payne, 33:21 Women’s 19-29 — 1. Alison Maxwell, 19:42; 2. Leah Peiffer, 37:47; 3. Kelly Teitz, 38:23 Women’s 30-39 — 1. Ta-

mara Keller, 26:46; 2. Kelly Simonson, 29:21; 3. Christina Neistand, 35:39 Women’s 40-49 — 1. Brooke Nelson, 35:10; 2. Jeani Hill, 38:00; 3. Laura Costello, 38:15 Women’s 50-59 — 1. Sheila Fordrung, 29:05; 2. Kayc Hobbs, 29:57; 3. Pam Payne, 33:39 Women’s 70+ — 1. Joan Reichardt, 46:43.

• For Tex M see T C T boa Ten hav the — yar Nav play M B sou • Mo Nas M Geo T C T (7-5 pla t hi off nea A& bea ear tru bat M B foo 3.0.

• Ant M T C T be o Bro win the will wh resp Big Du an loo losi bea ma but one M B a p par com • day M Tex T C T ma able Dev Sta clos Not Rai the gre to p the the cou M 75-

Pr

Volleyball Port Angeles coed league • Dec. 17 High Energy Birds 3, California Horizon 0 (25-11, 25-19, 25-19) Lakeside 3, Higher Grounds/ Law Office of Alan Millet 0 (2517, 25-10, 25-8) Lakeside 3, California Horizon 0 (26-24, 25-11, 25-17)

~B tO a Cle

TTE

SPORTS

January 1, 2014 • B-5

SEQUIM GAZETTE

Bowling, college football-style (Part 3 of 3) B-5

SEQUIM GAZETTE

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK Michael Dashiell

E

s e e e r, e y. e e n w

g 3

Miand n at

390 m; 87; 4 4; e@ 25myson 81ses/ rgy opcan ree ch, 81reent,

PR/ ding, 00oss.

ns

in mo enyas h@

the ony are 57mSee ny.

Senior Brett Wright stands where he starred for the Sequim Wolves several times this season. He was named to the 2013 Associated Press’ Washington All-State football first team as its all-purpose/kick returner.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash

The Wright stuff SHS senior named to 2A all-state football squad

second team at wide receiver and for a winless 0-10 Wolves squad, he turned in a constant effort, coaches said.

“Brett is one of the toughest kids at our school,” Ditlefsen said. “You can see that when he plays. He has a strong desire to win and a competitive edge.”

Lott said opponents all had access to footage on Wright and they all tried to stop him but had a hard time doing it.

“Word of mouth is what got him selected (to the all-state team),” he said.

by MATTHEW NASH Sequim Gazette

A baseball player at heart, Brett Wright can kick it into high gear on the football field, too.

The Sequim High School senior was just named to the 2013 Associated Press’ Washington AllState football first team as its all-purpose/kick returner.

He found out from his football and baseball coach Dave Ditlefsen on Dec. 20 in sixth period English class. Moments later classmates gave him a round of applause.

“It feels pretty cool, I guess,” Wright said. “I’m trying not to make it a big deal.”

But coaches and writers took notice of Wright who returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this year with the first in the season opener against New Westminster (B.C.), and in a shootout on senior night against North Mason.

But the scores weren’t necessarily what earned him the honor, said Rex Lott, Sequim special teams coach, but his yards after contact.

“I don’t recall him being brought down by the first person that hit him all year and he was running hard all the way until he hit the ground,” Lott said.

Not once did Wright run out of bounds without contact, Lott added.

“He always initiated contact prior to going out

Something special

Sequim wide receiver/kick returner Brett Wright sheds a tackle as Sequim takes on New Westminster (B.C.) on Sept. 6. The SHS senior was named to the Ap All-State First Team. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell

of bounds and laid a pretty good lick on someone before he went out of bounds or was brought down in the open field,” he said.

This season, Wright also was a standout receiver with 52 receptions for 669 yards and five touchdowns. He even broke the school single game receiving record against North Mason on senior’s night with 17 catches for 218 yards.

This season he also earned all-Olympic League

Wright excelled at special teams early on and finds it freeing in some ways.

“Punt returns and kick returns in my opinion are one of the funnest things because you have all this space,” he said.

His style, Wright said, is similar to Sequim grad Tyler Forshaw, who made the all-state 2A squad as a defensive back in 2011, and that Forshaw was someone he looked up to on the field.

Lott said his advice centered on making one cut and sticking to it.

“I’m not a big dancing guy,” he said. “Hit the hole and hit it hard.”

Ditlefsen seconded that.

“He heads north and south running hard,” Ditlefsen said. “In baseball and football, he does everything full speed.”

For special teams, Lott emphasized that if Wright caught the ball cleanly he’ll have more opportunities. They also watched a lot of film looking

See WRIGHT, B-6

P.C.’s Martinez picked Player of the Year 3C945883

Sophomore was NWAACC title game MVP, tied school’s all-time scoring record

Peninsul College sophomore Alex Martinez stretches to snag a ball in a Sept. 14 matchup against Southwest Oregon. Martinez scored 49 goals in his tenure at P.C., tying the school record shared by Miguel Gonzalez.

Martinez was named Baden Soccer Player of the Year. File photo

by Jay Cline

Sequim Gazette staff

Peninsula College sophomore forward Alex Martinez was named the Baden Soccer Player of the Year for 2013 recently by the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.

Martinez, a native of Reno, Nev., put together an MVP season this year after leading the NWAACC in goals with 28. That total includes the game-winner in the 87th minute of the Pirates’ 1-0 win over Clark in the NWAACC championship match.

It was a bit of deja vu, as Martinez scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Walla Walla in

the final minutes of the 2012 NWAACC Championship.

Those 28 goals, along with 21 he scored in Peninsula’s 2012 NWAACC championship season, give Martinez 49 for his career — that ties the all-time Peninsula College career scoring mark set by Miguel Gonzalez in 2011.

Martinez added 10 assists this season and finished with

23 for his career.

He was named the West Division MVP as well as the NWA ACC Championship MVP. He also is a two-time West Region All-Star.

“Alex is a competitor who wants to win,” Peninsula head coach Andrew Chapman said, “which was evident in the championship game this year, and last year. Alex doesn’t stop

working all game long.”

“He had a great two years for us,” Chapman added. “To have a consistent goal scorer like Alex is huge.”

The Pirate sophomore is being courted by a number of colleges and universities across the nation and is expected to make his decision on where he will play his final two years in the coming months.

P.C.’s Tucker takes national award

Peninsula College assistant soccer coach Tim Tucker was named the National Junior College West Region Assistant Coach of the Year by TUCKER the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Tucker, a Port Angeles resident, recently completed his sixth season assisting the Pirates, where he has helped the men’s team win five straight West Region championships and three Northwest Athletic Association of Community College championships.

He also has assisted with the women’s team over the past two years, helping them claim two West Division titles and repeat NWAACC championships.

Ah, now we’re down to it: the cream of the crop of the college football bowl season.

This includes New Year’s Day, the day you plant yourself in front of the television and remind yourself once again that human beings should never take in a week’s worth of snack foods while rooting for schools you’ve never heard of — much less rooted for before.

The big build-up, of course, is for the final BCS Championship game that doesn’t come until Jan. 6. The powers-that-be love to drag out the bowl season, and though I’d prefer the title game and the rest culminate on Jan. 1, that day does feature some sweet showdowns.

They start with …

Jan. 1 • TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Fla. Matchup: Nebraska vs.

Georgia Time: 9 a.m.

Channel: ESPN2 The skinny: Love this matchup of two teams that are tradition powers who both went 8-4 in 2013 — disappointing for Georgia’s Bulldogs considering their top-flight QB Aaron Murray and disappointing for Nebraska because … well, anything less than a title in Cornhuskerland is cause for dismissal. Georgia had a TOUGH schedule and has looked good of late, losing only to Auburn in their last five games. The Huskers are a mess offensively.

My pick: Georgia, 33-27 Bowl name: A bow with “Slayer” and “Gator” in the name? Nice. 8.0 • Heart of Dallas Bowl, Dallas Matchup: UNLV vs. North Texas Time: 9 a.m.

Channel: ESPNU The skinny: Not the highest-profile bowl game on the docket, but a good game for pure football enthusiasts.

Both UNLV (7-5) and North Texas (8-4) have good running games and feature balanced attacks. Plus, how do you beat their mascots (Mean Green versus Rebels)?

My pick: UNLV, 41-40 Bowl name: A 7.5, if only for the chance a broadcaster uses the “ripping the ‘Heart’ out of … “ cliche during the game.

• Capital One Bowl, Orlando, Fla. Matchup: Wisconsin vs.

South Carolina Time: 10 a.m.

Channel: ABC The skinny: Wisconsin (93) with just the one bad loss (to Penn State on Nov. 30) remains a premier program and has not one but two 1,000-yard rushers in Melvin Gordon and James White.

South Carolina (10-2) has a great resume, though, with one bad loss (to Tennessee on Oct. 19) to date. This should be a great game that’s down to the wire.

My pick: Wisconsin, 30-28 Bowl name: Meh. 5.0.

• Outback Bowl, Tampa, Fla. Matchup: Iowa vs. LSU Time: 10 a.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: This will get plenty of interest from our

See BOWLS, B-6

B-6 • January 1, 2014

SEQUIM GAZETTE

STORMING

SPORTS CALENDAR

TO A

TITLE

Bowls

From page B-5 newsroom, as we have one diehard Iowa Hawkeye fan and one diehard LSU Tiger fan apiece. All four of Iowa’s (8-4) losses are to teams that are currently ranked, while LSU’s (9-3) lone loss to a non-ranked team is a tough Ole Miss squad. Both teams are battled-tested and frankly would be at a dead heat if the Tigers hadn’t lost their starting quarterback, Zach Mettenberger (3,082 yards, 22 TDs) to injury the last week of the season.

Backup Anthony Jennings has thrown just 10 passes all season.

My pick: Iowa, 31-27 Bowl name: Too many opportunities for lame Australia references. 4.5.

• Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

Matchup: Stanford vs.

Michigan State Time: 2 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Beside the title game, this may be my favorite of the 35-bowl lot. I got to see Stanford (11-2) demolish WSU earlier this year; it was a thing of beauty. The Spartans (12-1) are riding a nine-game winning streak, capped by the Dec. 7 upset of No. 2 Ohio State. Flip a coin on this one.

My pick: Stanford, 37-34 Bowl name: The corporate tag kind of hurts a classic name. 6.5.

• Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, Ariz.

Matchup: UCF vs. Baylor Time: 5:30 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Hold on to your hats, as two prolific teams square off in a slugfest in Arizona. A solid Central Florida (11-1) team will have its hands full with Baylor (11-1), a team that averages 53 points per game. Baylor’s resume is a notch above UCF. My pick: Baylor, 55-27 Bowl name: Need to add some dip to those chips. 5.5

School sports schedule Jan. 4 10 a.m. — Sequim High School wrestling at Battle for the Axe, Port Angeles.

4 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball at Whatcom. Men start at 6 p.m.

Jan. 7 2:45 p.m. — Sequim High School bowling at at Olympic (Silverdale).

7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball vs.

North Kitsap. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball at North Kitsap (Poulsbo).

Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 5 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball vs. Edmonds. At P.C. gym, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. Men start at 7 p.m.

Jan. 9 3 p.m. — Sequim High School bowling vs. Klahowya. At Laurel Lanes, 108 W. Eighth St., Port Angeles.

3:30 p.m. — Sequim High School boys swim/ dive at Olympic (Silverdale).

7 p.m. — Sequim High School wrestling at Klahowya.

Jan. 10 7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball vs.

Port Angeles. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball at Port Angeles. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 11 5 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball at Skagit Valley (Mount Vernon).

Men start at 7 p.m.

Jan. 13 7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball vs. Bremerton. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball at Bremerton. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Area sports/ recreation Jan. 8 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: McDonald Creek. Call 681-0359.

5 p.m. — Sequim Aquatic Recreation Center board meeting. At The Fifth Avenue, 500 W. Hendrickson Road.

7-9 p.m. — Greywolf Flyfishing Club. At Gardiner Community Center, 980 Old Gardiner Road.

Jan. 10 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: Siebert Creek. Call 681-0359.

The Storm King FC Girls U-12 Division III team took the North Puget Sound League Championship with a 10-0-2 season. Team members include (back row, from left) coach Dave Brasher, Jessica Dietzman, Gabbrielle Happe, Hope Glasser, Makayla Geniesse, Nathalie Torres, Isabel Gallegos and coach Molly McAleer, with (front row, from left) Estefanie Calderon, Autumn Hilliard, Kristina Mingoy, Mary McAleer, Alexis Smith and Alexi Rampp-Taft. Not pictured is Daisy Ryan. Submitted photo

Wright

From page B-5 for opponents’ weaknesses.

But a big difference this year, Wright said, was caring more.

“Junior year, I didn’t think I was very good. When I was a freshman and a sophomore, I thought I was good in J.V. but I didn’t do well when I started playing varsity,” he said. “I did a lot more in the offseason and lifted a lot more weights. I cared.”

Wright has played football since he was little after the urging of his cousin and before moving to Sequim as a freshman, he played a number of positions. Here he dedicated himself to receiving and special teams for the Wolves.

The winless season didn’t get Wright down. “I played to have fun,” he said.

His senior season was almost cut short. While playing safety, Wright was injured on Homecoming night against the Olympic Trojans on a tough defensive play. He was diagnosed with a strained neck.

He remembers riding in the ambulance to Olympic Medical Center feeling depressed thinking his season could be over. But Wright recovered and chose to sit out the next two games as precaution.

He soon made up for lost time with his monster game with the school record.

on baseball for the spring.

Last year, he was named as an all-league honorable mention for hitting .415 with a .475 on-base percentage and stealing eight bases for the Wolves who finished 5-11 in the Olympic League and 7-11 overall.

His goal this year is to play well enough for first or second team honors and the team to improve its record.

But what will that take?

Wright said strong leadership that starts with him as one of the seniors.

For the football team’s chances after he leaves, Wright sees them definitely turning it around next season behind quarterback Miguel Moroles.

“Miguel was the best leader on our team. He was never absent and always worked hard,” he said.

Ditlefsen said Wright is a good representative of his Hitting the diamond class in that they are tough This winter, Wright and dedicated. stopped wrestling to focus “The senior class, while

Basketball Port Angeles adult league • Dec. 22 P.A. Swimmin’ Hole & Fireplace 66, Elwood Allstate 52 Leading scorers — P.A. Swimmin’: Rian Norfleet 22, Mark Shamp 17; Elwood: Justin Antioquia 13, Nathan Hofer 12

Go Statewide or tarGet a reGion.

Just By Placing One WNPA Statewide 2x2 Impact Ad.

includes 102 neWsPaPeRs & 33 tMc Publications.

360-683-3311

• First half standings Anytime Fitness 7-0 Servicemen 6-1 P.A. Swimmin’ Hole & Fireplace 4-3 SkyRidge Ridgerun.

4-3 Elwha River Casino 3-4 Elwood Allstate 3-4 Strait Flooring/ Wired Energy 1-6 Sunny Farms 0-7.

Volleyball Port Angeles coed league • First half standings Lakeside Industries 8-0 Zbaraschuk Dental 7-1 High Energy Birds 5-3 California Horizon 3-5 Serena’s Spikers 1-7 Higher Grounds/Law Office of Alan Millet 0-8.

A new Gym for a new You $

Board Certified Surgery Member Podiatric Sports Academy

DUCTLESS Heat Pump Systems

40

JANUARY SPECIAL

We have an incredible variety of over 20+ classes to choose from including with brand new Schwinn AC Performance Plus bikes!

• • • • • • •

BRAND NEW STUDIO BRAND NEW EQUIPMENT TABATA BOOTCAMP BOKWA SALSA DANCE CLASS MONTHLY WORKSHOPS MONTHLY MEMBER SOCIALS

WWW.FIT4LIFESEQUIM.COM

$500 to $1500 in Utility Rebates Available (Some Restrictions May Apply)

41950558

1247 W. Washington St., Sequim, next to Ben’s Bikes, across from Office Depot

Save Energy & Money

call for a free estimate

1206 South C Street • Port Angeles 360-452-0939 IT’S OUR INTEGRITY THAT SETS US APART.

41951824

choreographed indoor cycling classes

560166

(360) 582-2651 777 N. Fifth Ave. • Sequim Medical Plaza

Jan. 5

HEATING & COOLING SERVICE, INC.

H arold Huff dPM Offering: • Treatment of sport or non-sport injuries of foot and ankle • Orthotic prescription/evaluation • Diabetic foot care • Surgical treatment of foot/ankle conditions.

• BBVA Compass Bowl, Birmingham, Ala. Matchup: Vanderbilt vs.

Houston Time: 10 a.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Vanderbilt (8-4) is an interesting team, losing four tough games to (now) ranked opponents.

Houston (8-4) snapped a three-game losing streak by shutting out Southern Methodist in its final bowl precursor. Vandy will have just enough to shut down the Cougars’ freakishly potent passing attack.

My pick: Vanderbilt, 27-21 Bowl name: Acronyms don’t work for bowl names.

4.0.

DAVE’S

*BaSed on Statewide SurveyS 2.3 people read each copy of a community newSpaper.

ShowinG

S

P w

Jan. 4

• GoDaddy Bowl, Mobile, Ala. Matchup: Arkansas State vs. Ball State Time: 6 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Ball State (102) has the more impressive resume, with a seven-game win streak and losses to two solid programs (North Texas, Northern Illinois).

Arkansas State (7-5) has won four of five but had some ugly losses along the way.

Ball State QB Keith Wenning has 3,933 yards and 34 TDs Jan. 2 already … wow.

• Allstate Sugar Bowl, My pick: Ball State, 44-27 New Orleans Bowl name: Lame. 2.5.

Matchup: Oklahoma vs.

Jan. 6 Alabama Time: 5:30 p.m.

• VIZIO BCS National Channel: ESPN Championship Bowl, PasaThe skinny: Minus one dena, Calif. ridiculous return of a field Matchup: No. 1 Florida goal and a bit of bad luck, State vs. No. 2 Auburn and Alabama (12-1) is playTime: 5:30 p.m. ing for its third consecutive Channel: ESPN title three days from this The skinny: Michigan bowl. Oklahoma (10-2) has State did many college foothad a great year with three ball fans a favor by knockwins against ranked teams. ing off Ohio State, setting But A.J. McCarron and the up this sweet matchup.

Crimson Tide take out their Heisman Award winner aggression over missing the Jameis Winston leads FSU’s BCS title game in Arlington. top-ranked Seminoles (13My pick: Alabama, 41-13 0) into the matchup. The Bowl name: Nothing says freshman had video game “Sugar” like … insurance. numbers for stats — 3,820 3.5. passing yards and 38 TDs and 190.1 QB rating — while Jan. 3 versatile QB Nick Marshall • AT&T Cotton Bowl, (2,782 all-purpose yards) Arlington, Texas and Heisman candidate Tre Matchup: Oklahoma State Mason (1,621 rushing yards) vs. Missouri lead Auburn’s Tigers (12-1).

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Auburn’s season has been Channel: FOX nothing short of magical, The skinny: Missouri’s Ti- but Florida State is ranked gers (11-2) are a hot pick for No. 1 for a reason. The ‘Noles college football hounds, with closest margin of victory? A three wins against ranked 14-point win at Boston Colteams and their only losses lege … three months ago. to South Carolina and AuMy pick: Florida State, burn. OK State (10-2) simi- 37-30 larly has three wins against Bowl name: So-so. Makes ranked foes. Both teams me long for the days of the score points in a hurry, but one-name bowls. 4.0.

not real deep on their number of players, we saw some good quality among them,” he said.

Academic life beyond Sequim seems likely for Wright who is considering between Central Washington and Western Washington University. He’s not ruling out sports but education comes first, he said, which he’ll likely pursue a career to become an architect.

But for now he’s drawing up plans for all-state baseball honors.

Other area athletes named to the All-State Football teams include Kingston senior Aaron Dickson (2A first team, linebacker), Port Townsend seniors Jacob King (1A first team, defensive back), Skyler Coppenrath (1A second team, defensive line) and Matt Cain (1A second team, linebacker) and 11 players from Neah Bay on the 1B list, including State 1B Player of the Year Josiah Greene.

COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD

Reach 2.8 Million ReadeRs*

contact YouR local WnPa MeMbeR neWsPaPeR to leaRn MoRe.

Brett Wright (center) gets plenty of contact from North Mason defenders in a Nov. 1 loss. Wright broke a school record with 17 receptions and 218 yards, and added a kickoff return for a score.

Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell

the Tigers will have juuuust enough to come out on top.

My pick: Missouri, 31-30 Bowl name: Solid. 6.5.

• Discover Orange Bowl, Miami Matchup: Clemson vs.

Ohio State Time: 5:30 p.m.

Channel: ESPN The skinny: Another great matchup. Clemson (10-2) has just two marks on its records, both to top-10 teams. Ohio State (12-1) was perfect until its Dec. 7 loss vs. Michigan State. Clemson’s good, but Buckeye QB Braxton Miller is too dynamic for almost any team to stop.

My pick: Ohio State, 28-24 Bowl name: I have discovered orange, thanks. 6.0.

SEQ

Mar the

Se ap sk by

Pen

P inst to t is li goi dire A find Ma and alu Ric —r the me E

B-6 • January 22, 2014

SEQUIM GAZETTE

SPORTS Breakers CALENDAR From page B-1 School sports schedule Jan. 22 5:30 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball at Shoreline. Men start at 7:30 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School wrestling vs. North Kitsap. At school gymnasium, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Jan. 23 3:30 p.m. — Sequim High School boys swim/ dive vs. Port Angeles. At SARC, 610 N. Fifth Ave. Jan. 24 7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball vs. Kingston. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball at Kingston. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 25 9:30 a.m. — Sequim All-Comers tourney. At school gymnasium, 601 N. Sequim Ave. 4 p.m. — Peninsula College basketball vs. Bellevue. At P.C. gym, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd. Men start at 6 p.m.

Jan. 28 7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball vs.

North Mason. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball at North Mason (Belfair).

Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Jan. 30 7 p.m. — Sequim High School wrestling at North Mason (Belfair).

Jan. 31 7 p.m. — Sequim High School boys basketball vs. Klahowya. At school gym, 601 N. Sequim Ave. Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

7 p.m. — Sequim High School girls basketball at Klahowya (Silverdale).

Junior varsity starts at 5:15 p.m.

Area sports/ recreation Jan. 22 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: National Forest Road 2855. Call 681-0359.

Jan. 24 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: Fish Hatchery Road. Call 681-0359.

Jan. 29 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: Larry Scott Trail (midway trailhead). Call 681-0359.

9 a.m. — Dungeness Men’s Club: Cha-ChaCha. At The Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road.

Jan. 31 8:45 a.m. — Over the Hill Hikers hike: Adventure Trail (from State Route 112). Call 681-0359.

Sports

From page B-1

Ditlefsen’s in North Mason are becoming less common because boys and girls typically don’t mind wrestling each other. When someone opts not to wrestle the opposite sex, he said, it’s more likely the girls’ parents making the call than boys’ parents.

“As a parent, I understand that,” Schroepfer said. “I don’t know if I’d want my daughter wrestling a boy.”

But the girls know what they are getting themselves Sequim’s Kaylee Ditlefsen says she uses her experience wrestling against boys to prep for the postseason, where she’ll wrestle other girls. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell into, Mendoza said.

“I’m asked questions all the time, like, ‘How do you cry because I’ve beat them,” grade after joining with her ing the hand of Tristan cousin who quit on the first Williams of Forks, currently wrestle a girl?’” she said. “Like she said. day. “I loved being tough and ranked fourth in girls’ 106 anyone else.”

Join the ranks with wrestling I could do pounds, and being pulled Misconceptions forward because she had such W hen Ditlefsen first that,” she said.

W hen she moved to a strong handshake.

The girls encounter false brought up the idea of wres“Tristan and me have been tling in seventh grade to her Sequim in seventh grade, presumptions all the time.

“There’s a misconception parents, it was a hard sell. Her Mendoza didn’t know any- competing off and on my that we’re just in it for the father is Dave Ditlefsen, ath- one, but said she’s gotten full whole time wrestling,” she guys,” Ditlefsen said. “There’s letic director at Sequim High. support from her mom and said.

Cornell said she hopes to “I was a cheerleader, I the team. a lot of stuff like that. Even Rich Hay, Sequim Middle wrestle Williams in state at the guys say, ‘You’re a girl, I played basketball and my whole room is pink,” she said. School wrestling coach, said some point. don’t want to hurt you.’”

“It’s important to beat Yet she and the other girls “I was a girly-girl, but for me, Mendoza might be the most see wrestling boys as an op- I wanted to do something enthusiastic of the three Tristan,” she said. “I haven’t beaten her in the postseason portunity to become better different because I don’t want girls.

“She loves wrestling. She’s yet.” to be the same as everyone.” wrestlers.

Mendoza has seen some She stuck with it and ended almost vibrating from happi“The last time I lost to a boy, I came off the mat smil- up loving it. She recruited ness. She loves the matches, state competitors already this ing because I know it helps Cornell, whose father, cous- traveling and she’s always season.

“Hopefully it gives me a me get better for wrestling ins and uncles all wrestled, very eager to compete and to better idea of who I’m going too. “It was in my blood,” get out there,” he said. girls,” Ditlefsen said.

Hay said Mendoza could be to face and what to do at Cornell said she experi- Cornell said.

Her mother, Donna Cor- a state-caliber wrestler by the state,” she said. enced a similar situation to Ditlefsen is shooting for Ditlefsen recently at Port nell, said when Sophia first end of the season.

“If she’s not there this the award banners in the rafAngeles’ Battle for the Axe mentioned wrestling she year, she’ll be there a couple ters. After taking an alternate tournament, where an op- thought, “No.” “She’s a very determined of times in her four years,” spot to the state championponents’ school didn’t let its ships last year, she wants to young lady and my job is to he said. boys wrestle girls. be the champion this year.

“Losing to a guy used to feel support her,” Donna said.

She took second place in the bad but now I see it as good “I’m glad we had a team that From the beginning Each girl remembers their Hammerhead Invitational, experience for the postsea- would accept her.”

Cornell plans to go into first battle on the mat. losing 11-1 to Mariah Horton son,” Ditlefsen said.

Mendoza, a freshman, the Marines after high school Ditlefsen had to overcome — the 160-pound girls state said there’s a big difference and possibly wrestle. “I think butterflies in her stomach. “I champ in 2013.

Next year, Schroepfer is between middle school and if (wrestling) puts me ahead felt like I was going to throw of the pack then great,” Cor- up,” she said. “But I pinned hopeful for as many as eight high school wrestling. girls wrestling in high school. her in 13 seconds.”

She’s fought off an ear- nell said.

Mendoza first faced a boy in Two girls joined late in the Ditlefsen and Mendoza ly season injury and seen tougher competition, but hope to wrestle in college, a loss. “It went back and forth season and with more girls and he won by one point,” Sequim can travel to bigger she agrees stereotypes re- too. and better tournaments, he Mendoza had the earliest she said. main strong. “I don’t know Cornell remembers shak- said. how many guys I’ve made start wrestling in fourth

Boys hoops From page B-5 the final five minutes. Barry’s jumper at the 55-second mark brought Sequim within two and Pinza’s layup with six seconds remaining sent the game into overtime tied at 51-51.

With less than a minute left, Barry sank two free throws to put Sequim up 57-53. Makaleb McInnis brought Olympic within two points with a field goal and was fouled. Mc-

Innis intentionally missed his free throw try and Olympic’s Matheny grabbed the ensuing rebound, but his lastsecond shot was off the mark.

Pinza finished with 13 points while Josh McConnaughey had PINZA seven rebounds and a season-high 10 points.

Barry had 16 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass.

McInnis and Setten had 11 points

each to lead Olympic.

Earlier in the week, Sequim fended off a tough Port Townsend squad on the Redskins’ home court, 51-40.

Barry had 14 points and Pinza added 13 as the Wolves avoided the upset.

Jacob King scored 14 points for Port Townsend.

Sequim held a 14-8 lead after one quarter, a 24-17 lead by halftime and 34-25 lead after three quarters, but the Redskins trimmed that lead to just four halfway through the

in equestrian and cheer/drill team.

None of Sequim’s girl sports are in danger of being swapped for another sport, he said.

“Each sport has a nice following,” Ditlefsen said.

Statewide, bowling is slowly replacing gymnastics in girl sports.

“It (gymnastics) is a high cost sport with its equipment and space,” Ditlefsen said.

Port Angeles, Kingston and North Kitsap are currently the only schools in the Olympic League to continue offering gymnastics.

Ditlefsen said that each year petitions are filed with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to offer new sports in schools. “(The WIAA) has to be real careful with what they approve,” he said.

“Girls water polo and boys lacrosse try every year and those are the closest ones to being petitioned in, but it’s tough to crack that lineup.”

First seasons for Sequim girls’ sports • Girls track 1972 • Volleyball 1974 • Girls basketball 1974-1975* • Softball 1977 • Girls soccer 1984-1985 • Golf 1994 • Girls swimming 1997-1998 • Bowling 2001-2002 • Girls tennis 1958* • cheer/drill team, prior to 1958* * School records indicate squads formally existed prior to the date listed but could not be matched with state win-loss records.

fourth quarter.

Barry, however, sank a pair of 3-pointers late to help seal the win.

His second trey with 2:36 to go put the Wolves up 44-36.

Looking ahead Sequim has a key home matchup with Kingston, slated for Jan. 24. The Buccaneers upended the Wolves 62-51 in Kingston on Dec. 16.

Sequim is at North Mason on Jan. 28 and hosts Klahowya on Jan. 31.

T Jan ope

EL

H from gra wor nou poe the adje

W R B W S C A B

W H G S B C A B

W W C C J H A B

W L S S S K A B

W F F C H C A B

T

COMMUNITY SCOREBOARD Basketball Port Angeles city league • Jan. 13 Anytime Fitness 97, Elwha River Casino 64 Leading scorers — Anytime: Woody Stangle 25, Marcus Buren 20; Elwha: E.J. Johnson 41, John Green 12 Strait Flooring 59, Elwood Allstate 55 Leading scorers — Strait: Manny Chavez 24, Josh Peelman 13; Elwood: Nathan Hofer 14, Rickie Porter 13.

First flight — Gross: 1. Bill Berry and Grant Ritter, 72.

Net: 1. Pat Covey and Randy Gange, 62; 2. Bill Berry and Jac Osborn, 64 Second flight — Gross: 1.

Ray Ballantyne and Bill Riley, 74. Net: 1. Nicholaas Holt and Kris Lether, 59; 2. Dick Brahams and Barry Tuteur, 60 Third flight — Gross: 1.

Golf David McArthur and Bob Schwarzrock, 80. Net: Jeff The Cedars at Dungeness • Men’s Club, Two-Man Best Hooper and Joe Tomita, 61; 1. David McArthur and Dick Ball, Jan. 15 • Standings (as of Jan. 17) Anytime Fitness 9-0 Servicemen 7-1 P.A. Swimmin’ Hole 5-3 SkyRidge Runners 4-3 Elwood Allstate 4-5 Elwha River Casino 3-6 Strait Flooring/Wired Energy Drinks 2-7 Sunny Farms 0-9.

ALL YOU NEED IS

Return to the hearing world...

Olympic Hearing Center offers a complete spectrum of audiological and hearing services and products.

Our evaluations are medical-grade, and available for all ages from children to seniors.

LOVE SEATS STARTING AT

210!

$

Please call for an appointment or for an information packet about our services and products.

Don’t miss this opportunity to save big!

BARGAIN WAREHOUSE

NEW FURNITURE AND MATTRESSES

CURTIS C. MILLER II

Mon.–Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

41948782

(360)775-2240

3B922244

OLYMPICHEARING HEARING OLYMPIC CENTER CENTER

Proud Provider of Phonak Hearing Instruments

SEQ

6 Months Same As Cash OAC

M.A., CCC/A, F/AAA • CLINICAL AUDIOLOGIST

www.pabargainwarehouse.net

538 North 5th Avenue • Sequim, WA 98382

452-3936 • 2830 Hwy. 101 East • Port Angeles

MS-029378

(19-25, 25-19, 25-6, 15-6) McCammon, 62 Zbaraschuk Dental Care 3, KPs: Ballantyne, Schwarzrock, Bob Hammond, George California Horizon 0 (25-19, 25-8, 25-22) Switzer, Jeff Upchurch.

High Energy Birds 3, HighVolleyball er Grounds/Law Office of Alan Millet 0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-17).

Port Angeles coed league • Standings (as of Jan. 17) • Jan. 14 Lakeside Industries 10-0 Serena’s Spikers 2, Higher Zbaraschuk Dent. Care 8-2 Grounds/Law Office of Alan High Energy Birds 6-4 Millet 2 (20-25, 25-12, 15-25, California Horizon 4-6 25-22). Serena’s wins by point Serena’s Spikers 2-8 total, 85-84 Higher Grounds/Law High Energy Birds vs. LakeOffice of Alan Millet 0-10 side 3, High Energy Birds 1

Seq Sch land

C

Seattle Optometrist Helps LEGALLY BLIND to See!

Just because you have macular degeneration (or other vision-limiting conditions) doesn’t always mean you must give up driving or reading.

A Seattle optometrist, Dr. Ross Cusic, is using miniaturized binoculars or telescopes to help people who have lost vision from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy or other eye conditions.

“Our job is to figure out everything and anything possible to keep a person functioning,” says Dr. Cusic.

“Whether it’s driving, reading, TV, seeing faces, check writing, bingo or bridge. We work with whatever is on the person’s ‘wish list.’”

Patient Driving with Bioptic Telescopic Glasses With interest-free payment options this technology is now more affordable than ever.

“Definitely worth the $2150 cost. I should have come sooner,” said Dr. Cusic’s patient.

For more information and a FREE telephone consultation,

Call Today: 877-823-2020 Offices In: Bellingham, Kirkland and Olympia

S que 180