POULSBO — Highlighted by the North Kitsap boys soccer team’s first trip to the state tournament since 1986, each of NK’s spring sports teams are making a claim for continued play into the 2006 postseason.

The boys soccer and girls tennis teams finished the highest in their leagues during the regular season as each team ended at second place in the Narrows League. But across the board North teams are stepping up to the plate.

North Kitsap state soccer

Today the North Kitsap boys soccer team (10-2 NL) is in Tacoma, taking on Stadium (8-1 NL) in a seeding match for the state tournament — regardless of the outcome, the Vikes are in for state.

As the Vikings sealed a second-place finish in the Narrows League Bridge Division during the regular season, which secured their bid into the state tournament for the first time since 1986.

“We’ve been playing together for three years straight … we know what we are doing,” NK senior Carlos Portillo said, noting NK’s solid leadership. “We’ve got character. We don’t give up.”

“I think (this year) is an accumulation of three years of hard work and (this senior class) has really come together,” Stickney said. “Whether we’re strong enough to play with the big dogs on the other side of the water remains to be seen.”

North Kitsap track and field

Though the North Kitsap boys track team surrendered its chance at an undefeated Narrows League season with a loss to Shelton April 27, but coach Kaelea Makaiwi-Barreith said it should just make the team that much hungrier.

The Vikings made their claim for top-dog at the Kitsap County Track Classic Friday but results were unavailable at press time. The Narrows League Championships will be May 11 and 13 at Port Orchard.

Dak Kongela should be a force on the short track (100M and 200M dashes) and in the triple jump pit for North Kitsap as he is having a solid senior season. Will Cameron, one of two NK state contestants from 2005, should hold down the distance events, namely the 800M run, as he has consistently improved personal records this year.

On the ladies side, Chelsea Pruiett, the other NK returning state competitor, should make noise again this year for North in the throws.

Tennis girls eye state court

Under new direction in 2006, the Lady Vikings (6-1 NL) have accrued the same level of positive play as NK finished second in the Narrows League Bridge Division as a team.

Now the focus switches to individuals as the Narrows League prelims May 3 whittled NK’s postseason competitors down to two doubles teams and one singles player.

In the Narrows League tourney starting May 10 at the University of Puget Sound, coach Terry Grimm is looking for a, “Very high intensity level … (May 3) my No. 1 doubles were right on,” she said, noting the play of Britt Seaberg and Kearney Bangs.

“That’s what I’m looking for, when they get ahead that they don’t let up and continue the same level of intensity throughout the game,” Grimm said.

North’s No. 2 doubles team of Joanna Kaiserman and Sarah Kiesenger is also continuing play into the NL tourney as is NK’s Renee McDougall.

Vikings on the links

The North Kitsap boys golf team capped one of its best seasons in coach Tom Harney’s memory with a trip to the Egbers Invitational May 5.

North senior Stephen Duwe is dead-set on that goal which he has come so close to in years past, while brother Joey Duwe is right on his heels. David Dobson and Evan Faulk could also make a run for state competition, but all players must display their A-game Harney said.

On the ladies’ links, NK senior Miquela Pendleton is reaching the culmination of her high school career, eyeing a chance for the state title along with teammate Alicia Bratlien.

Both girls have played in the state tournament as sophomores and juniors.

“Miquela is probably one of the top 10 players in the state if she plays like she is capable,” said NK head coach Jay DeVries. “Alicia Bratlien is probably in the top 15 if she plays as well as she can.”

Both the boys and girls will be swinging for success at the Narrows League Tournament May 10-12 at Lake Spanaway.

Lady Viking Fastpitchers

It’s been more of a tumultuous ride than was expected for the North Kitsap (10-2 NL) fastpitch this season, but the Lady Vikes have taken the adversity in stride and are ready to make another claim for a shot in the state tournament.

When Central Kitsap (12-0 NL) beat Gig Harbor 1-0 May 3, the Lady Vikings advanced into second place in the Bridge Division with two final regular season games with South Kitsap that were decided May 5. Results were unavailable at press time.

With two wins the Lady Vikes would solidify their claim for an at-large bid into the West Central District tournament, but two losses could bump NK down to third place and loser-out game.

Viking baseballers

Despite an end of the season focus lapse in which South Kitsap (11-4 NL) handily defeated the Vikings in the last series of the regular season, kicking North Kitsap (8-7 NL) from second to fourth place, the Vikings still have the heart.

It’s going to take all of that determination if the Vikes are to continue into the West Central District playoffs May 13.

NK faced Bellarmine (9-5) in a loser-out, winner-to-districts match up Friday afternoon, but results were unavailable at press time.