Prep athletes have filled school gyms, practice fields and pools for the past few weeks, all in preparation for the beginning of a fall season of competition.
While some have already taken a first step into a new season and a new league, others will begin this week.
Here’s a brief look at how things stand in the world of White River fall athletics. This review does not include football, which was previewed in last week’s edition.
VOLLEYBALL
Plenty of star power returns to the Buckley gym, with players gathering again under the tutelage of second-year coach Stephanie Pond.
The Hornets look to again be formidable, returning a handful of players who earned a share of the SPSL 2A title, won the bi-district championship and eventually landed in Yakima at the state tournament.
Pond and her crew received their first test Monday, Sept. 9, when they hosted Auburn Mountainview. Aside from being the season opener, Monday’s battle provided the Hornets’ first taste of life in the 3A North Puget Sound League.
Taking the court during the coming season will be five players who captured all-league honors a season ago. Leading the way is 6-foot-2 senior Kianna Rohner, who has already charted her collegiate sporting path, and sophomore Emery Stevenson. Both were first team, all-league selections in 2023.
Also returning are a trio of sophomores – Isabella Fioretti, Taylor Arnold and Jordyn Kaelin – who earned all-league honorable mention a year ago.
The versatile Rohner has committed to playing next year at Dominican University in California.
Another returnee is Emma Voellger who, according to her coach, arrived at practice much improved. Checking in at 6-foot-4, the senior “stands to be a force at the net this season,” Pond said.
The fact that Pond has welcomed back her entire starting lineup from last season (except libero) “makes our team look very promising headed into the new season, even with bumping up a classification,” she concluded.
BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Veteran coach Dameon Marlow has welcomed some familiar faces to the early-season workouts, with five of last season’s top seven runners pounding out the miles.
Leading the way again this year will be Michael Marlow, now a senior. At the conclusion of last season, he was named to the first team when the SPSL 2A’s all-league list was announced.
Other experienced varsity runners include senior Anthony Riggs, juniors Cannon Ross and Oliver Schramm, and sophomore Eli Long.
The program also has added freshman Mateo Anderson who may break into the varsity ranks, the coach said.
In the end, Marlow added, “I’m excited to see how these boys compete and who my varsity seven will end up being.”
The Hornet boys will receive their first test Sept. 18 when they travel to Kentlake High School. Aside from challenging the host Falcons, White River will score against Todd Beamer High.
GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
The White River High program – under the guidance of veteran coach Dameon Marlow – lost a couple of key contributors to last season’s success but returns several important elements.
Gone from the 2023 squad that earned the SPSL 2A title and placed fourth at the Class 2A state meet is Emma Tomlinson, who was named the league’s Athlete of the Year. Also lost to graduation was varsity runner Evie Holmes.
But that means Marlow has welcomed a squad that includes five of last year’s top seven runners, including a trio who received first team, all-league recognition. That list includes seniors Vivian Kingston and Nativity Leddy, along with sophomore Paeton Poelman. Also returning from the crew that went to the 2023 state meet are Paityn Kaydus, Lily Rodarte, Hannah Dehnert and Naomi Carthum.
Marlow also has high hopes for ninth-graders Victoria Blakley and Lucy Sellers. The two, he said, “are looking like they may make an impact this year and be in our top nine.”
There’s some expected uncertainty heading into the season, with White River’s jump from the 2A ranks into Class 3A and the move to the North Puget Sound League. “I feel this squad could make another run deep into the postseason,” Marlow said. “But not knowing the new teams as well, it’s still hard to make predictions. No matter what, this is going to be an exciting season.”
Marlow, who was the SPSL 2A Coach of the Year last season, will get his first look at the 2024 squad Sept. 18 when the team travels to Kentlake High School. Aside from challenging the host Falcons, White River will score against Todd Beamer High.
It is a 3A North Puget Sound League meet, the first for White River since the school jumped up a classification and joined a new league.
BOYS GOLF
New coach Garrett Anderson has welcomed a healthy mix of youth and experience to the White River boys golf program.
“It will be really exciting to have some up-and-coming sophomores and freshmen that will challenge our upperclassmen daily out on the course,” he reported.
Sophomore Gavin Weber is looking to build on a strong freshman campaign while senior Kary Evans and juniors Jonah Wright and Zach Wisdom are looking to push the younger players with solid rounds of golf and upper class leadership, Anderson said.
The coach is well aware of the challenges that will come while competing in a league with some larger schools. “However, the beauty of golf is your score is your score, and our guys are committed to continuing to build their game each day to post low ones and compete at a high level,” he said.
The Hornet boys opened their season yesterday (Tuesday) with a match against Tahoma High at Druids Glen Golf Course. The two teams will square off again Thursday at Enumclaw Golf Course, as the league features a back-to-back, home-and-away schedule.
GIRLS GOLF
The powerful White River High girls golf program, sparked by defending Player of the Year Lexie Mahler, kicked off its 2024 season yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.
In their season debut, the Hornet girls challenged Tahoma High at Enumclaw Golf Course. The same teams will battle Thursday at Druids Glen Golf Course as part of the league’s back-to-back, home-and-away format.
It’s a new world for all Hornet sports, as White River programs have bumped up a classification due to climbing enrollment.
But new coach Megan Cash welcomes the challenge.
“We are super excited to be making the jump to 3A this year and look to continue the success from 2A,” she reported.
Aside from Mahler, who placed second at last season’s 2A state tournament, the team returns a strong supporting cast. Proven veterans who have experienced postseason play include senior Abigail Ringel and junior Abby Akins.
“These returners will be complemented by a young group of eager golfers that are excited to compete at the high school level,” Cash said.
BOYS TENNIS
Like all athletes from schools on both sides of the river, members of the White River High boys tennis team will be heading into uncharted waters this fall.
With enrollment up, their school has been bumped to a larger 3A classification. But veteran coach Brad Pratt is philosophical about the move.
“As we enter 3A this year, we are preparing our athletes for a highly competitive season through challenging and thorough practices, sound technique work, and athletic development,” he reported in a preseason assessment of his program.
Pratt is again joined by his son, Charlie, on the coaching side. The younger Pratt, a former White River player, brings years of playing and coaching experience.
“Our combined experience proved vital in the development of our players last season and we are excited for what this season holds,” Brad Pratt said.
The coaches welcome back seniors Colby Lange, Dylan Crossley and Luke Robinson. In addition, “we have many talented juniors and sophomores that will be returning to varsity,” Pratt said.
“We are also joined this year by five new, very promising freshmen, some of which may be competing for varsity spots by the end of the season,” he added.
The Hornets open the 2024 schedule this afternoon (Wednesday) with a short road trip. At 3:30 they will take on the Bonney Lake Panthers, the team’s only nonleague contest of the season. Thursday brings a tennis edition of the Battle of the Bridge, with White River hosting Enumclaw.
GIRLS SWIM & DIVE
White River enters a new season with a pair of state meet veterans leading the way.
A season ago, Trista Turgeon (now a senior) earned a trip to the King County Aquatic Center, where she placed seventh in diving. Also making the state trip was Haley Weisheyer, who qualified in both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle. She is now a senior.
Both White River athletes capped the 2023 season by being named to the all-league first team.
White River competitors turn out with the Enumclaw High squad because their school does not offer a swim and dive program. When it comes to meets, however, they score under the White River banner.
The Hornets will get their first taste of action Thursday, Sept. 12, when they travel to the Covington Aquatic Center. There, they will face Kentlake High and Enumclaw. The meet begins at 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Under the tutelage of fourth-year head coach Mack Anderson the White River girls soccer team this week kicked off their 2024 campaign.
Things started Monday with a road trip to Auburn Mountainview (details coming too late to be included here) and continue today (Wednesday) when the Hornets host Todd Beamer High at Arrow Lumber Stadium on the Buckley campus. The Titans are a new league foe, now that White River has jumped from the 2A ranks to the 3A North Puget Sound League.
