Kitsap prep sports teams start postseason play

Many Kitsap County high school sports teams and individuals excelled during the regular season and therefore qualified for post-season competition.

The following is a capsule of those teams and athletes.

Bainbridge

The Spartans football team qualified for the postseason after finishing 7-2. They lost to Bonney Lake 35-28 Oct. 31 and were eliminated.

Bainbridge volleyball will be returning to the postseason with a play-in game Nov. 8 against Bonney Lake. If the Spartans win, they will play Nov. 10-11.

The BHS cross country teams will send a handful of runners to state Nov. 4 in Pasco. The Spartans are led by Ben Crandall and Mairin O’Brien.

The Spartans water polo squad is looking to grab its second state title in three years. Bainbridge has yet to lose a game in Washington and swept No. 2 Curtis four times this season. The Spartan state title run will take place at Curtis High Nov. 9-11.

Bainbridge’s girls swim team is looking to be one of the top teams at state again. Although the Spartans will not be the favorite for a championship, they can be a dark horse. Seniors Kathryn Houseman, Emma Atchison and Iris Lin will lead the Spartans at the King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way Nov. 9-11.

North Kitsap

The Viking football has been on a dominant run since its loss against Tumwater. The Vikings will head into their district game against White River as the No. 2 seed and one of the favorites for a state title. Their district game will be at North Kitsap Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

NK’s soccer team has proved to be one of the best sports teams in the county. The Vikings only loss was their season opener on the road against 1A defending state champion Klahowya 5-4. With the Vikings’ offensive firepower, led by Evelyn Beers and Syleena Hogan, it will be tough to slow down NK on its run for a state title. The Vikings won their first game against Steilacoom 3-0 Oct. 31.

The Viking volleyball squad has improved through the season, reaching the Top 10 rankings in the latest RPI poll. The Vikings, led by Iliana Brockett and Adeline La Tour, have been smashing their league opponents. They will head into the district tournament as the No. 2 seed and begin its run against Sequim Nov. 3 at Foster High in Tukwila.

NK’s cross-country teams have had mixed results this season. The Vikings will be sending a few runners to state, including Quinny Stuart and Georgia Nelson, Nov. 4 in Pasco.

The Viking swim team has dominated its 2A league opponents. Audrey Crossgrove, Tiffany Le, Shosho McLain and Ashley Husmoe have led the Vikings in several events. Districts are at the Mary Wayte Pool in Mercer Island Nov. 3-4.

Kingston

Kingston volleyball finished the season with a 7-9 record and will be in the middle of the pack at districts Nov. 3. Bucs’ Brooke Steele and Quiterie Lemieux lead the way. The Bucs begin with Evergreen High at Foster High at 6 p.m.

Kingston’s girls soccer qualified for districts as the 15th seed but was eliminated after losing to Orting 2-0 Oct. 31.

Both of Kingston’s cross-country squads will be looking to reach the podium at state. In addition, the Bucs boys have two runners looking to capture an individual title. Lucas Lenz finished sixth at state last season while Luke Whalen has placed at each meet this season. The Bucs will compete in Pasco Nov. 4.

Representing the Kingston swim team is Lilia Manges. She will be a formidable opponent at the Mary Wayte Pool in Mercer Island Nov. 3-4.

Olympic

The Trojan football earned the No. 9 seed and will head to Orting High Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Olympic’s volleyball team will be playing at Foster High Nov. 3. The Trojans will play against Tyee at 3 p.m. and must win three opponents in a row to qualify for state.

Olympic’s cross country teams will send a few runners to state Nov. 4 in Pasco. Samuel Bonsell has been the top runner for the boys, placing fifth in the league. Brynn Fulton won the girls division as a freshman and will look to make a name for herself at state.

Jazmyn Coviello and Kaylee Vogelpohl will lead Olympic’s swim team, which will compete at Mary Wayte Pool in Mercer Island Nov. 3-4.

Bremerton

After starting the season 6-0, the Knights lost a couple of crucial games and enter the playoffs as the No.5 seed, hosting Renton Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Bremerton’s girls soccer team made the playoffs but were eliminated after losing 2-1 to Evergreen Oct. 31

The Knights’ boys cross country team is led by Dallin Anderson. Anderson is a candidate for a podium position at state after finishing seconds behind Kingston’s Lenz multiple times throughout the season.

Bremerton’s swim team will be led by former state champion Gabbie Patti, one of the top freestyle swimmers in the state. The Knights will compete at the Mary Wayte Pool in Mercer Island Nov. 3-4.

Central Kitsap

The Cougars girls soccer team defeated Bainbridge 3-2 in penalties and faced Prairie Nov. 1 in a winner-go-to-state, loser-out game after press time. CK has proved to be a tough defensive squad, holding teams to 0.9 goals a game.

CK volleyball is the final team to make the district playoffs, reaching as the fifth team in the South Sound Conference. The Cougars will face No. 1 North Thurston, which swept the Cougars in the regular season. The Cougars will play Nov. 10.

CK’s cross-country squads look to repeat their success from last season. The Cougar girls team has swept the league championships and won districts too. They will be favorites at state while the boys should reach the podium Nov. 4 in Pasco, too.

Klahowya

The Eagle soccer team ranks second in the state. Before the Eagles defend their state title, they must win the district playoffs against league opponents. Klahowya will be the top seed and host games through Nov. 4.

Klahowya will host the volleyball district championships for the Nisqually League. However, the Eagles will be the No. 4 seed and must win their games to make a state run. The tournament will run from Nov. 2-4.

The Eagles cross country will send 10 runners to state Nov. 4.

Klahowya’s swim team will have a younger squad competing at the Mary Wayte Pool in Mercer Island Nov. 3-4.

South Kitsap

The Wolves cross-country squad will be led by Isaac Benjamin and Lauren Laws. Benjamin has reached the podium at the league championships and finished high at the Westside Classic. Laws finished second at league and placed at districts too. They will look for a podium finish at state Nov. 4 in Pasco.

SK will be one of the final teams to reach the district volleyball tournament. The Wolves will be facing Camas in the first round, the third-best team in the state, Nov. 10.