The “fall” prep sports season, which began in earnest in late winter and wrapped with culminating contests after the vernal equinox last Saturday, is now in the rear view.
And before that view becomes too blurry considering the breakneck pace associated with trying to pack three sports seasons into about five months of school calendar, it’s a good idea to take a look at some of the best performances from fall sports.
Girls soccer
Millie Long, the reigning three-time All-Peninsula Girls Soccer MVP, did nothing to tarnish her legacy with a 15-goal season, bringing her all-time Port Angeles goal-scoring record up to 86.
Breaking the century mark wouldn’t have been inconceivable if Long had had a full season to work with. Congrats to the Riders on another league title.
Sequim rallied to finish the season strong with consecutive wins after a tough stretch of injuries and off-field maladies limited their roster. East Jefferson combined for three wins against Class 2A teams, scored goals against a Klahowya team that had held both Port Townsend and Chimacum down in past seasons and continued to improve their level of play.
Forks built for the future with a number of eighth-graders able to play up on the Spartans’ varsity.
Football
Forks wrapped a 3-2 season in the toughest 2B division in the state with a win over perennial power Kalama. The Spartans also took defending state champ Onalaska to overtime and played an entertaining home game in front of senior parents and family against Napavine. If there had been playoffs, Forks would have been in them and could have made plenty of noise.
Sequim closed strong, playing its best game of the season at home against 3A Central Kitsap.
Port Angeles’ two home games at Stevens Middle School turned into community events, with fans lining the streets along the field to cheer on Rider victories. The team looked much more organized, prepared and able in those contests than I’ve seen in years.
Having a season and providing opportunity to play was the highlight for East Jefferson players and coaches given the difficult task of coming together with absolutely no offseason to speak of.
Quilcene continued the best stretch of play in school history with another Sea-Tac League title, and Crescent and Clallam Bay were able to get in some six-man contests to keep the game going out west.
Volleyball
Sequim, Port Angeles, Forks, Neah Bay and Quilcene all ended with winning records. The young Spartans won a district playoff game at home, the Red Devils made the regional championship and Quilcene went to the semifinals.
Cross country
A youthful Port Angeles boys team ran to a Northwest Region title lifted by the personal-best finish of Jack Gladfelter, who ended up fifth overall.
Lauren Larson won the regional crown over Sequim’s Riley Pyeatt, the latest entry in the long-standing friendly rivalry between the two elite runners.
Let’s hope there is another 1,600-meter track and field race between the two this spring.
East Jefferson had a runner who set personal records every time he raced in sophomore Sebastian Manza, and freshman Aliyah Yearian looks poised to be the next state-bound harrier; she finished eighth at the regional race.
Girls swimming
Port Angeles freshman Harper McGuire posted district-qualifying times from the start for the Riders, who participated in all virtual events this season from the newly renovated Shore Aquatic Center.
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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-406-0674 or mcarman@peninsuladaily news.com.
