Mike Baldwin | Kitsap Daily News

Alison Loris

Kitsap Pumas fans get loud

By Mike Baldwin • June 30, 2011 9:13 pm

When Alison Loris pounds her drum, donning Kitsap Pumas gear from head to toe, the rest of the team’s fan club knows what comes next.

Loris, a member of the Hellcats, an independent fan club for the Bremerton soccer team, starts the chant, “Let’s go Pumas” at every home game and Tuesday’s third round U.S. Open Cup game against the Seattle Sounders.

“I’ve turned into a soccer hooligan,” said Loris, whose husband, Ian Logan, is also a self-described avid Pumas fan and member of the fan club.

The Bremerton couple have been fans of the Pumas since the team started operations in 2008. They said they love that the Premier Development League team is based in a small town, playing its home games just blocks away from their house.

The Sounders outshot the Pumas 25-7 in a 2-1 victory.

Clock strikes midnight for Kitsap Pumas

By Mike Baldwin • June 30, 2011 9:10 pm

Taylor Hyde already wants a rematch.

The Kitsap Pumas defender believes his team came close to upsetting the Seattle Sounders, but instead lost 2-1 to the Major League Soccer franchise in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup Tuesday night at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

But at the final whistle, Hyde had to attribute the loss to missed opportunities.

With four shots in the first half, the Pumas didn’t tally their lone goal until midfielder Nik Besagno scored in the 71st minute. The Sounders outshot the Pumas 25-7 en route to eliminating the Bremerton team from the five-tier tournament.

Despite the strong showing and the Pumas’ underdog status, the defeat still stung.

“We came out to win and move on,” Hyde said. “That was our

Mike Baldwin (left) grimaces when adding his score while competing in a mini golf putt-putt challenge against Erynne Lee last week.

It’s in the hole: Central Kitsap’s Lee battles...

By Mike Baldwin • June 30, 2011 9:09 pm

Average Pro

Mini golf is more about luck than anything else.

That’s how Erynne Lee, a champion amateur golfer and recent Central Kitsap High School graduate, described the game to yours truly, an out-of-shape sports writer with a shot at winning a round of putt-putt, which didn’t require much athleticism.

Sure, Lee may have been in between tournaments when we faced off for 18 holes at Northwest Golf Range in East Bremerton last week, but there are no excuses.

I know I’ve said it before, but I thought I could finally triumph against an athlete in peak condition at her own game. This time, it was a battle of the sexes.

At 23, I like to still think I have the strength, smarts and luck to win a round of putt-putt, even if my opponent is attending the University of California

Bryan Meredith clears the ball during the Kitsap Pumas' 3-1 victory against Real Colorado Tuesday.

Kitsap’s ‘tough guy’ Meredith returns in Pumas’ win

By Mike Baldwin • June 23, 2011 1:44 pm

When Bryan Meredith returned to practice without a limp last Monday, Kitsap Pumas head coach Peter Fewing knew what was next.

The rookie goalkeeper was not going to miss the second round of the U.S. Open Cup. After all, it’s typical for the New Jersey native to show grit at the right moment, Fewing said after Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Real Colorado at Bremerton Memorial Stadium.

“He’s New York tough,” he added. “I knew he would be ready. He wasn’t going to miss this.”

Meredith suffered an ankle strain during the Pumas’ 2-1 win against Washington June 8. The team’s doctor said Meredith would miss two to four weeks. The standout goalkeeper from New Jersey was ready by the 13th day.

“There was no doubt whatsoever,” said Meredith, referring to his stat

Kyle Spitzer putts at Gold Mountain Golf Course Monday.

Hitting the green: Kitsap golf courses maintain grass...

By Mike Baldwin • June 23, 2011 4:55 pm

Mike Shortt isn’t a Cinderella story out of nowhere, but the former carpenter takes pride in his work, mowing grass at 4:30 a.m. every day.

“We work our tails off,” said Shortt, a greenskeeper at Gold Mountain Golf Course. “It’s rewarding when you hear people on the course say the greens look great, because it’s hard work.”

Shortt has worked at the Bremerton complex for the last five years, changing tees, painting cart lines and cleaning up the bunkers to keep the course in shape.

But the most important part of a golf course is the grass itself, Shortt said, and maintaining a certain appearance requires time and money. Putting greens, specifically, have a different surface than fairways and thicker parts of the course. The measurements come down to a tenth of an inch, and preventing disease is paramount.

“We’re extremely involved,” said Greg Peterson, the superintendent of Rolling Hi

Kitsap Pumas forward Robbie Christner celebrates with teammate Cameron Hepple after scoring a goal in the 42nd minute to give the Pumas a 2-1 lead against Real Colorado Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup. The Pumas advance to play the Seattle Sounders in the third round of the tournament next week in Tukwila.

Kitsap Pumas continue unbeaten streak, advance to play...

By Mike Baldwin • June 22, 2011 3:41 pm

The Kitsap Pumas got their wish.

For the last three seasons, the Bremerton squad wanted the chance to test their mettle by playing the Seattle Sounders at the U.S. Open Cup. On Tuesday the Pumas reached their goal, beating Real Colorado 3-1 in the second round of the five-tier tournament at Bremerton Memorial Stadium.

The West Division-leading Kitsap BlueJackets

Kitsap BlueJackets find a way to first place

By Mike Baldwin • June 16, 2011 4:45 pm

Outfielder Austin O’Such didn’t recognize his teammates a month ago, and now, the Kitsap BlueJackets have already connected through their first 10 games.

The Bremerton collegiate baseball team has one returning player – pitcher Richie Mascheri.

But for O’Such, and the rest of the BlueJackets, it doesn’t matter that they were all studying in different cities six weeks ago. The team has chemistry, O’Such said, and a first-place showing in the West Division of the West Coast League.

“It’s like we’ve been playing together since we were 12,” said O’Such, a student from the University of San Francisco.

The BlueJackets, who extended their winning streak to seven games after beating Bellingham 6-2 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds Monday, are 8-2 this season, their best start in clu

Central Kitsap’s Jared Vigil runs the ball during the team’s conditioning drills with assistant coach Hugh McKinnis on June 13.

Kitsap prep athletes start conditioning for next year

By Mike Baldwin • June 16, 2011 4:44 pm

Malia Lagat is out of school for the summer, but she still has a strict routine starting at 7 a.m.

The Olympic High School junior, a two-sport athlete in girls basketball and cross-country, runs with her teammates and head coach Greg Chapman five days a week in the morning.

The 7 a.m. run is much needed, Lagat said.

“I slacked off last summer and that bit me,” she added. “The rest of my teammates ran last year, and they were prepared and I wasn’t.”

This summer won’t be the same for Lagat, who plans to condition herself through cardiovascular and weightlifting to prepare for next season. The offseason regimen is common for high school athletes looking for an edge and hoping to stay in shape while school is out, but unlike practice, it is voluntary.

Criminal charges possible for wrestler who exposed himself in yearbook

Criminal charges possible for wrestler who exposed himself...

By Mike Baldwin • June 10, 2011 4:48 pm

Kitsap County prosecutors will decide whether to bring criminal charges against a Central Kitsap High School wrestler who allegedly exposed himself in a team photo published in the school’s yearbook.

A Kitsap sheriff’s deputy who reviewed the photo Thursday reported that it appeared the student, 18, was intentionally pulling down his shorts to expose part of his genitals, according to a report released Friday.

The school distributed 300 yearbooks showing the original photo before stopping release of the annuals, said David Beil, the district’s spokesman.

Bremerton senior Kyle Kennedy won the Class 3A javelin title at the state track meet last month.

Bremerton’s Kennedy is runnin’ down a dream

By Mike Baldwin • June 10, 2011 3:10 pm

Kyle Kennedy, known for being a tough, hard-nosed football player since he was 7, started crying during his speech class last month.

The Bremerton High School senior presented his final assignment, paying tribute to the offensive line that helped him break the football team’s rushing records last fall, and the 5-foot-10, 205-pound running back was teary-eyed.

“I was choked up, I’m not going to lie,” said Kennedy, who will graduate from Bremerton Friday night.

The two-sport athlete said he was overwhelmed with emotion because he was honoring his closest friends, who like his family and coaches, have prov

New red card rule that penalized Bremerton needs fixing

New red card rule that penalized Bremerton needs...

By Mike Baldwin • June 10, 2011 3:04 pm

This may come as a surprise to you, but apparently some high school boys soccer players can’t keep their cool.

Blame it on testosterone levels, trash talk or the fact that players constantly run down the field without timeouts. In any case, ejections were increasing, Washington Interscholastic Activities Association officials were getting fed up, and the issue was finally addressed for the 2010-2011 school year.

But the solution, to level harsh penalties and decrease bad behavior, nearly cost Bremerton High School its entire season.

And when considering the fact that high school boys soccer is an aggressive sport played by teenagers, perhaps the association should revisit the rule. Perhaps the best way to change the culture on the field is to target those who stand on the sidelines, namely, the coaches.

Olympic High School senior Jordan Ferraro sits on a bench that he built at home. Ferraro was under the mentorship of Pastor Sam Rachal for the last four years and will graduate Saturday at the Kitsap Pavilion.

Graduation 2011: Olympic senior overcomes hurdles, graduates with...

By Mike Baldwin • June 9, 2011 4:58 pm

Jordan Ferraro used to be a shy kid.

Before last week’s prom, the Olympic High School senior had never attended a school dance. Ferraro just needed the courage to ask out his friend, Epiphany Nick, to the event, so he asked for help.

The Bremerton High School boys soccer team practices drills before the playoffs last month.

Kitsap coaches, WIAA voice opinions on new red...

By Mike Baldwin • June 2, 2011 4:31 pm

Last spring, the Bremerton High School boys soccer team entered the final stretch of their season with an immaculate league record.

But despite the team’s record, their entire season was in jeopardy.

The Knights were tagged with two “straight” red cards – violations for abusive language or violent conduct during a game – and were one away from being banished from the postseason under a new rule implemented by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association for the 2010-2011 school year.

In addition to forfeiting the postseason after earning three “straight” red cards, any player who commits a violation is subject to immediate ejection from the game, and is out for the following three matches.

Longtime Bremerton umpire O.J. Simpson hands a catcher his mask during a Silverdale Pee Wee baseball game last week.

Umpires connect with the game at Central Kitsap,...

By Mike Baldwin • June 2, 2011 4:27 pm

Down two runs with the bases loaded on the final out of the game, Tim Foresha’s daughter, Lauren, faced a full count batting for her Warren Avenue Pee Wee team last month.

And when the next pitch was delivered down the middle of the plate, Foresha had no choice but to call his youngest daughter out on strike three. Like most umpires, he has his critics, including his wife, Tammy Tyo-Foresha.

“I’m not here as Dad,” said Foresha, a longtime baseball umpire from Bremerton. “I’m here as the ump, even if it was a strike. My wife gave me grief later, but it comes with the territory.”

Youth baseball, specifically the Pee Wee associations, are a mainstay in Bremerton and Central Kitsap communities, and umpires, both young and old, make their presence known, often in their own, unique way.

Executive Director Geoff Ball shows off the new YMCA.

Suiting up at the new Silverdale YMCA

By Mike Baldwin • May 26, 2011 7:33 pm

The Kitsap Tri Babes, always training for their next triathlon, need a place where they can run, swim and cycle, so the group of local female athletes get their fix at the YMCA.

And starting June 1, the Tri Babes, a group of female triathletes based out of Seabeck, are preparing to join the new Haselwood Family YMCA in Silverdale en masse to ensure they have a place to train for cycling, running and swimming no matter the weather.

And for those who train for games and races, the new facility will provide a destination for those preparing themselves to compete.

“It’s a visible face for athletics in the community,” said Lisa Ballou, founder of the Tri Babes. “It’s set up intelligently so people can really use it to their advantage.”

The YMCA is a popular destination for athletes, particularly those who don’t have regular access to weight rooms, such as high school

Kitsap Pumas goalkeeper Bryan Meredith guards the ball during the team’s home opener versus Victoria in Bremerton May 8.

Kitsap goalkeeper Meredith won’t distract himself with Sounders...

By Mike Baldwin • May 26, 2011 7:31 pm

Bryan Meredith isn’t trying to prove himself.

At 21, he spends half his week playing goalkeeper for the Kitsap Pumas soccer club, while the remaining time is spent training with the Seattle Sounders, the team that drafted him last January.

And despite the Major League Soccer team’s decision to have Terry Boss and Josh Ford backup Kasey Keller at goalkeeper this season, leaving Meredith out, he has no qualms about playing soccer in Bremerton.

The rookie doesn’t mind catching the ferry to practice for Seattle, before making a name for himself with the Pumas.

Olympic High School fastpitch coach Dusty Anchors addresses his players Monday in preparation for the Class 2A state tournament.

Olympic clinches improbable state bid

By Mike Baldwin • May 26, 2011 7:30 pm

Dusty Anchors couldn’t believe his eyes.

The Olympic High School fastpitch coach, and his team, are still talking about their last win, the biggest for the program in a quarter-century, maybe ever.

Trailing 9-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning against Sumner High School last Saturday at the Class 2A West Central District tournament, the Trojans were one out away from having their season ended.

Sumner never recorded the final out. Olympic scored eight straight runs to win 10-9, clinching their first state tournament appearance since 1987, when its slowpitch team, then 4A, earned a spot.

Captain's corner | Trojans track and field

Captain’s corner | Trojans track and field

By Mike Baldwin • May 26, 2011 7:28 pm

Jocelyn Pease

Scenic Beach State Park will require the Discover Pass starting July 1.

Camping comes at a new price for Central...

By Mike Baldwin • May 19, 2011 8:00 pm

Michael Henry loves to camp, usually once or twice a month, which is why he’s concerned about new rate increases.

“Camping used to be the nice cheap recreational trip with your family, but it’s changing,” said Henry, who recently moved from Virginia to Silverdale to be with his daughter. “It’s terrible that it reached this point.”

Henry camped out with his family Tuesday afternoon at the Scenic Beach State Park in Seabeck. As a new resident of the state, he was unaware of the new Discover Pass, which goes into effect July 1.

In addition to the new requirements, campers will see a $1 increase in overnight rates from summer 2010. The rates last increased in 2009, also up $1 from the previous summer.

Henry previously camped out at the Poconos in Pennsylvania, but his visits decreased when the resort implemented new rules and increased rates. Now, he’s facing similar changes in Washington state. His plan is to make the best of it – for

The Central Kitsap High School boys soccer team practices Monday before its state tournament game against Skyline High School. The Cougars defeated the top two Narrows League squads during the regular season and upset Union High School last week at districts. Head coach Christopher Floro said 2011 was a success story despite losing Tuesday night at Silverdale Stadium.

No glass slipper for Central Kitsap soccer

By Mike Baldwin • May 19, 2011 7:58 pm

Christopher Floro doesn’t buy into fairy tales.

Nor is he surprised how far his team has advanced.

The Central Kitsap High School boys soccer coach watched the Cougars upset top-ranked Union High School (Camas) 2-1 on the road last weekend to qualify for the Class 4A state tournament.

“This is not a Cinderella story,” said Floro. “We earned the right to be here.”

The victory marked the second time in three years Cen

Central Kitsap swimmer Torres hosts fundraiser

Central Kitsap swimmer Torres hosts fundraiser

By Mike Baldwin • May 19, 2011 7:56 pm

Jeremy Torres is known for swimming his way to a state title, but when he jumps into the water Saturday, he will honor his late grandfather.

The Central Kitsap High School senior started a fundraiser at the Olympic Aquatic Center in East Bremerton to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. Torres’ grandfather, Efren Magana, died last January due to complications of dementia.

As part of a social studies project and graduation

Bremerton High School boys basketball head coach Darren Bowden watches his Knights squad play Kingston High School at home Jan. 28. The team is now two years removed from a state tournament appearance. The Bremerton boys soccer and girls bowling teams have also advanced to state under Athletic Director George Duarte

Changing of the guard at Bremerton: A new...

By Mike Baldwin • May 19, 2011 7:46 pm

For the first time in five years, the Bremerton School District will enter next school year without a full-time athletic director.

The past five years haven’t been stellar for Bremerton High School sports programs, with some notable exceptions such as girls bowling, boys basketball and boys soccer.

The Knights have struggled to regain its prestige as a Class 4A powerhouse from the 1940s, or a 3A perennial champion when they competed as East Bremerton High School in the 1970s.

Now, district officials are expected to hand the job over to a teacher, possibly within the building, with no additional pay.

It will mark a shift from the past five years, when the district paid full-time Athletic Director George Duarte to run the district’s programs. He was hired in 2006 at $80,713. After five years, he is making $95,710.

The district added the position to its administrative staff, in part to re

El Vagabundo shows the crowd his guitar before entering the ring to face Juvi 775 in the hardcore match finale in Bremerton.

Behind the mask — lucha libre wrestlers tap...

By Mike Baldwin • May 13, 2011 2:56 pm

After he was hit with a chair, thrown through a door and driven hard into the mat last week, the wrestler known as El Vagabundo spent an hour in the locker room, a Mexican grocery store’s meat locker, cleaning up his own blood with his mask still on. He won’t take it off, not even to greet friends. The Mexican-born luchador lost the main event to rival, and friend, Juvi 775, also from Mexico. One left the ring with his arm raised high in the air in victory, while the other limped out of sight. Both kept their masks on. For the grapplers, nothing is more important than the colorful mask that conceals their identities.