GIRLS GOLF
Coach Anna Rose has the luxury of bringing back a handful of players who know how to win.
Her 2022 squad “has a lot of experience and almost all of the players were part of the state championship team from last season,” Rose reported.
Last season’s state Class 2A tournament was dominated by a White River crew that more than doubled the point total of the second-place team. Graduation took a toll, however, and the Hornets said goodbye to SPSL 2A Player of the Year Brooke Gelinas and all-league first team selection Brooke Mahler.
On the coach’s list of players to watch are sophomore Lexie Mahler and juniors Abby Rose, Alle Klemkow and Sophie Ross. Both Mahler and Klemkow were first team all-league honorees a season ago and Rose was a second team selection.
Rounding out the Hornet roster are sophomore Abigail Ringel and freshmen Abby Akins and Olivah Gray.
The Hornet girls opened the season yesterday (Tuesday) by taking on Orting High at High Cedars Golf Club. Thursday, the team will host the Franklin Pierce Cardinals at Enumclaw Golf Course.
BOYS GOLF
The White River boys’ golf team, coming off an impressive third-place finish at last year’s Class 2A state tournament, is looking to reload.
“We lost seven players that played varsity and junior varsity last year,” coach Terry Vallala reported.
The new-look squad starts with junior Kaden Ausen, a first team all-league performer a year ago. He not only advanced to the Class 2A state tournament, but placed seventh in a tourney that began with 80 hopefuls.
Also back are a pair of juniors, Mason Arnold and Jayson Walker, who played for both the varsity and junior varsity squads in 2021. Added to the mix are fellow juniors Kary Evans and Austin Lalonde, who are looking to move up from the JV ranks.
“We have quite a few freshmen and sophomores who made the team this year,” Vallala added. “We are excited to see growth from these young athletes.”
The Hornet boys opened their 2022 campaign yesterday (Tuesday) with an away match against the Orting Cardinals at High Cedars Golf Club.
GIRLS SOCCER
A healthy handful of proven players return to the White River High soccer program that put together an impressive 2021. A year ago, the team went 10-2-1 in South Puget Sound League 2A play and was 11-4-1 overall.
That run included league play, a three-game district tournament and a one-game appearance in the Class 2A state championships.
That success led to several Hornets – all returning this season – earning all-league honors: Laura Corr, first team forward; Ella Lidstrom, first team midfield; Victoria Curtice, first team defender; and Claire Carter, second team forward. Additionally, a trio of Hornets – Ava Bright, Morgan Greene and Elise Nicolls – received postseason all-league honorable mention.
Also returning for a senior season are Kate Robbins, Olivia Ashcraft and Alyka Fuller.
“We are fortunate to have this group of seniors who have a strong presence on and off the field,” second-year coach Mackenzie Breeden said.
Joining the team and already fitting in, Breeden said, are freshmen Charlee Sproed in goal, defender Londan Fuller, and offensive players Adalyn Sykes and Jordyn Daigle.
Offensively, the coach is looking for Corr, Bright and Carter to be the top goal-scorers.
A major hole that needs to be filled came with the graduation of Abbey Goetz, the league’s 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year.
“Our goal for this upcoming season is to continue to build relationships on and off the field, working together to get our new players confident in themselves and their teammates,” Breeden said. “We will focus on keeping possession, communicating positively with each other, and scoring incredible goals.”
The Hornets opened the season with a Sept. 6 game at Orting and continue tonight (Wednesday) with a home contest against Franklin Pierce.
VOLLEYBALL
White River volleyball coach Gressa Dolan has welcomed the type of team that inspires confidence. That starts with six seniors on the roster, five of whom boast extensive varsity experience.
Addressing the fall season, the coach notes, “we think it holds great promise to be another exceptional year.” That’s not just wishful thinking, considering last year’s team advanced to the state Class 2A tournament and walked away with fifth-place honors.
This time around, leading the way will be the seniors: Faith Anderson, defensive specialist; Abby Barrow, setter; Kelli Kaelin, libero (last season’s SPSL 2A Libero of the Year); Amelia Kayner, right-side hitter; Audrey Nicolls, middle blocker; and Tatianna Powers, defensive specialist.
Juniors on the roster include Audrey Berg, an outside hitter; Ava Froemke, defensive specialist; Paige Bentler, middle blocker; and Addy Stone, defensive specialist/setter. Kianna Rohner, middle blocker, is the only sophomore on the roster and Maddy Osborn, outside hitter, is the only freshman to make the squad.
“We are eager to have a successful and fun season,” Eide said, one that culminates with another state trophy. But, she added, “only time and lots of hard work will tell.”
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
The girls’ side of the cross country ledger appears particularly strong for veteran coach Dameon Marlow. Of the nine athletes he took to the 2021 state championship meet, seven have returned to run for the 2022 Hornets.
Those seven formed a key nucleus of last season’s squad that captured the South Puget Sound League 2A championship, then advanced to claim 12th place at state.
This year’s list is headed by sophomore Vivian Kingston, the program’s No. 1 runner a year ago and the team’s top finisher at state. Also returning are seniors Soleil Bianchi and Kelcie Melcher; juniors Evie Holmes and Emma Tomlinson; and sophomores Paityn Kaidus and Nativity Leddy.
At the close of last season, Kingston and Tomlinson were first team all-league selections while Bianchi and Holmes were second team picks.
“We are excited to make another run at a state trip,” Marlow said, “and potentially place higher than our 12th-place finish last year.”
The squad will kick off the season today (Wednesday) by hosting a jamboree. Also taking part will be Eatonville and Fife. Saturday, the squad will again serve as host for the White River Invitational.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
This year’s Hornet squad is topped by a sophomore with state meet experience, Michael Marlow. A year ago, he was one of just two WRHS runners advancing to Pasco, where he placed 55th in the large state field.
The Hornets’ other state qualifier, Even Slish, was lost to graduation.
At the close of last season, Marlow was voted to the SPSL 2A’s all-league second team.
The squad doesn’t feature a ton of returning depth and will be counting on some varsity newcomers. Aside from Marlow, returnees include Drew Sprouse, the No. 4 runner on last year’s team, and Samuel Walthers, who filled the No. 7 varsity slot.
The team has a busy start to the season, playing host to two events, a jamboree on Sept. 7 and the White River Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 10.
BOYS TENNIS
“This year’s varsity lineup will be a good mix of all age groups,” reported boys’ tennis coach Brad Pratt.
The roster is heavy on the youngest players, with nine freshmen among the 19 Hornets. Added to the mix are three seniors, five juniors and two sophomores. “I’m very excited for the freshmen who are showing talent and will most likely be seeing a lot of court time at the varsity level,” Pratt said.
At the top of the list, however, are two seniors – Tate Ringel and Hayden Stevenson – who are in their fourth year with the White River program. Doubles partners in the past, they will be competing in singles play this season.
The Hornet program kicked off the tennis season Sept. 6 with a home match against Fife High. Things continue tomorrow (Thursday) with a road trip to face the Steilacoom Sentinels.
GIRLS SWIM & DIVE
White River doesn’t support a program of its own, so WRHS swimmers and divers turn out with Enumclaw. They practice and travel with their EHS counterparts but typically score under the White River banner.
The 2022 early-season turnout list showed a young bunch headed by Cheyenne Fessler (a veteran of the Class 2A state meet) and Sam Sapp.
Coach Laini Goodlett said this year’s goal for the WR bunch is the same as for Enumclaw – to get more individuals and relay teams into district and state competition.
Competition gets under way Tuesday, Sept. 13, when the Enumclaw/White River teams host Fife High at the Enumclaw Aquatic Center.
