Sports

Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group Sequim's Walker Ward runs with the football against Bainbridge during a February game, one of the first prep sporting events held in 11 months due to the pandemic.

SPORTS: Return of athletics highlights 2021

The return of organized sports and competitions to the fields, courts and trails of the North Olympic Peninsula after nearly a year’s… Continue reading

Michael Dashiell/Olympic Peninsula News Group Sequim's Walker Ward runs with the football against Bainbridge during a February game, one of the first prep sporting events held in 11 months due to the pandemic.

Junior hockey tourney canceled

The remainder of the world junior hockey championship in Canada has been canceled over fears of a COVID-19 outbreak. The International Ice Hockey Federation made… Continue reading

FILE - Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager heads off the field after flying out against the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Seattle. Seager announced his retirement on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, after 11 seasons in the majors, all with the Mariners. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)

SEATTLE MARINERS: Kyle Seager retires after 11 years

Kyle Seager announced his retirement Wednesday after 11 seasons in the majors, all with the Seattle Mariners. Always one to eschew social media,… Continue reading

  • Dec 30, 2021
  • The Associated Press
  • Sports
FILE - Seattle Mariners' Kyle Seager heads off the field after flying out against the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Seattle. Seager announced his retirement on Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, after 11 seasons in the majors, all with the Mariners. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Olympic Medical Foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner runs in a marathon in Antarctica in 2019. Skinner, who ran the Fiesta Bowl from 1980 to 1990, is being inducted into the Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame on Jan. 1.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Olympic Medical Center Foundation’s Bruce Skinner honored

Fiesta Bowl turned into a major event

Olympic Medical Foundation Executive Director Bruce Skinner runs in a marathon in Antarctica in 2019. Skinner, who ran the Fiesta Bowl from 1980 to 1990, is being inducted into the Bowl Season Leadership Hall of Fame on Jan. 1.
FILE - Coach John Madden of the Oakland Raiders is carried from the field by his players after his team defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 9, 1977 John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, the NFL said. He was 85. (AP Photo/File)

NFL: Coaching, broadcasting legend John Madden dies

John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three… Continue reading

  • Dec 29, 2021
  • By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer
FILE - Coach John Madden of the Oakland Raiders is carried from the field by his players after his team defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XI in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 9, 1977 John Madden, the Hall of Fame coach turned broadcaster whose exuberant calls combined with simple explanations provided a weekly soundtrack to NFL games for three decades, died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, the NFL said. He was 85. (AP Photo/File)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL: NWAC delays return of basketball season two weeks

The Northwest Athletic Conference announced today that the start of men’s and women’s basketball league play will be pushed… Continue reading

Xander Maestas, Port Angeles basketball

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Xander Maestas, Port Angeles boys basketball

Xander Maestas has been a big part of the Port Angeles Roughriders boys basketball team’s success this year. The senior point guard has been an… Continue reading

Xander Maestas, Port Angeles basketball
Chicago Bears wide receiver Damiere Byrd (10) grabs a 2-point conversion pass in the end zone to score over Seattle Seahawks' Ugo Amadi during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Seattle. The Bears won 25-24. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

A swift and painful downfall

Last-place finish a certainty now

  • Dec 28, 2021
  • By Tim Booth The Associated Press
Chicago Bears wide receiver Damiere Byrd (10) grabs a 2-point conversion pass in the end zone to score over Seattle Seahawks' Ugo Amadi during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Seattle. The Bears won 25-24. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Cougars in El Paso hoping for an opponent

Miami pulls out due to COVID-19

Chicago Bears wide receiver Damiere Byrd (10) grabs a 2-point conversion pass in the end zone to score over Seattle Seahawks' Ugo Amadi during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Seattle. The Bears won 25-24. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

PIERRE LaBOSSIERE COLUMN: Take heart, Seahawks supporters

The Seahawks’ hopes for a playoff berth were dashed long before the Chicago Bears’ Damiere Byrd made an amazing catch in the back of the… Continue reading

Chicago Bears wide receiver Damiere Byrd (10) grabs a 2-point conversion pass in the end zone to score over Seattle Seahawks' Ugo Amadi during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Seattle. The Bears won 25-24. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Stephen Brashear/The Associated Press Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery, bottom, scores a touchdown on a carry against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half Sunday in snowy Seattle.

SEAHAWKS: Seattle loses on Bears’ late two-point conversion

Jimmy Graham caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from Nick Foles with 1:01 remaining, Damiere Byrd made an acrobatic reception for the 2-point conversion,… Continue reading

  • Dec 27, 2021
  • By Tim Booth The Associated Press
  • Seahawks
Stephen Brashear/The Associated Press Chicago Bears running back David Montgomery, bottom, scores a touchdown on a carry against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half Sunday in snowy Seattle.
Courtesy of Christine Halberg The Momentum One Volleyball Academy U18 Tsunami won the silver division at its first tournament of the season in Auburn earlier in December. From left, back row, are Emi Halberg, Alexis Perry, Jasmine Messinger, Ava Hairell, Sam Robbins and Josephine Edgington. From left, front row, are Keana Rowley, Jayde Wold and Lily Halberg.

AREA SPORTS BRIEF: Momentum One volleyball teams open season

Momentum One Volleyball Academy directors, coaches and athletes are excited to start their second season on the Olympic Peninsula after missing last… Continue reading

Courtesy of Christine Halberg The Momentum One Volleyball Academy U18 Tsunami won the silver division at its first tournament of the season in Auburn earlier in December. From left, back row, are Emi Halberg, Alexis Perry, Jasmine Messinger, Ava Hairell, Sam Robbins and Josephine Edgington. From left, front row, are Keana Rowley, Jayde Wold and Lily Halberg.
Bishop Budnek (2) runs the ball in the state 1B championship game against Almira-Coulee-Hartline. (Jim Wilkerson/for Peninsula Daily News)

EIGHT-MAN MVP: Bishop Budnek was a difference-maker for Quilcene

Quilcene senior Bishop Budnek overcame a slew of injuries, some preexisting, others of recent vintage, to boost the Rangers to unprecedented heights this… Continue reading

Bishop Budnek (2) runs the ball in the state 1B championship game against Almira-Coulee-Hartline. (Jim Wilkerson/for Peninsula Daily News)
Crescent's Wyatt Lee (12), left, tries to outrun Quilcene's Kevin Alejo (13) in a game in September. Both Lee and Alejo were named to the 8-man All-Peninsula football team. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)

ALL-PENINSULA 8-MAN FOOTBALL: Budnek, Lee, Carrick among selections

• All-Peninsula 8-Man Football MVP: Bishop Budnek, sr., Quilcene: Injuries limited Budnek to seven games, but what an impact. Ran 158 times for 1,455 yards… Continue reading

Crescent's Wyatt Lee (12), left, tries to outrun Quilcene's Kevin Alejo (13) in a game in September. Both Lee and Alejo were named to the 8-man All-Peninsula football team. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles' Daniel Cable escapes the Bainbridge defense on Friday night at Port Angeles Civic Field.

ALL-PENINSULA FOOTBALL MVP: Port Angeles’ Daniel Cable did a lot of everything for Riders

Major contributions on offense, defense and special teams

Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles' Daniel Cable escapes the Bainbridge defense on Friday night at Port Angeles Civic Field.
Spartan freshman Brody Lausche drives the key against Hoquiam's Justice Stankavich, (23), Zander Jump (10), and Owen NcNeill (5). Forks defeated Hoquiam 54 to 39. Photo by Lonnie Archibald.

PREP BASKETBALL: Freshmen Lausche and Micheau lift Forks in win over Hoquiam

Play big minutes in victory

Spartan freshman Brody Lausche drives the key against Hoquiam's Justice Stankavich, (23), Zander Jump (10), and Owen NcNeill (5). Forks defeated Hoquiam 54 to 39. Photo by Lonnie Archibald.
Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles' Daniel Cable, center, weaves around East Jefferson defenders, from left, Malachi Azariah McDonald, Gerald Lindsey and Christopher Fair on Friday in Port Angeles.

PREP FOOTBALL: Port Angeles’ Daniel Cable heads up 2021 All-Peninsula 11-man Football Team

Standouts from Forks, Sequim, Port Angeles and East Jefferson

Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles' Daniel Cable, center, weaves around East Jefferson defenders, from left, Malachi Azariah McDonald, Gerald Lindsey and Christopher Fair on Friday in Port Angeles.
Seven more days of razor clam digs were confirmed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (Tammy Foes/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)

OUTDOORS: Daily limit returns to 15 razor clams; 7 more digs confirmed

Razor clam enthusiasts can head to coastal beaches to ring in the new year as shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish… Continue reading

Seven more days of razor clam digs were confirmed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. (Tammy Foes/Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News East Jefferson’s Brody Moore pivots around North Mason Bulldog Clay Alverts during a spirited home game on Tuesday in Chimacum.

PREP BASKETBALL: East Jefferson, Port Angeles, Crescent all win

The East Jefferson boys basketball team won its second game of the season, beating 2A North Mason 65-60 in overtime at home in… Continue reading

Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News East Jefferson’s Brody Moore pivots around North Mason Bulldog Clay Alverts during a spirited home game on Tuesday in Chimacum.
Photo courtesy of Michael Miller The Storm King U15 Crusaders finished as the runner-up in the North Puget Sound League U15 North Division, going up against elite soccer teams from the Seattle area. From left are, assistant coach Michael LaGrange, right defensive back Caleb LaGrange, left centerback Grant Butterworth, right midfield/striker Maxon Stanford, midfield Kasson Pittman, defensive midfield Edmund Garcia, goalie Anthony Jones, striker Matthew Miller, center midfield James Mason, midfielder Raef Beard, right midfield Jake Weaver, left outside back Bryce Deleon and right centerback Jacob Olsen. Not pictured is midfielders Finnian Evans and Guillermo Salgado, and head coach Michael Miller.

YOUTH SOCCER: Storm King U15 league runner-up; U13 champs of its division

Olympic Peninsula teams go up against Seattle metro elite teams

Photo courtesy of Michael Miller The Storm King U15 Crusaders finished as the runner-up in the North Puget Sound League U15 North Division, going up against elite soccer teams from the Seattle area. From left are, assistant coach Michael LaGrange, right defensive back Caleb LaGrange, left centerback Grant Butterworth, right midfield/striker Maxon Stanford, midfield Kasson Pittman, defensive midfield Edmund Garcia, goalie Anthony Jones, striker Matthew Miller, center midfield James Mason, midfielder Raef Beard, right midfield Jake Weaver, left outside back Bryce Deleon and right centerback Jacob Olsen. Not pictured is midfielders Finnian Evans and Guillermo Salgado, and head coach Michael Miller.