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SEQUIM GAZETTE

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Wolves rack up all-league honors

Five Acre School goes hands-on with salmon studies B-6

B-2

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 • B-1

B SPORTS/SCHOOLS Wednesday, November 24, 2010

SECTION

SEQUIM GAZETTE

M’s and fans say goodbye to ‘The Voice’

Western Washington’s best weekly sportswriting

NWAACC MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

SPOTLIGHT ON SPORTS Scooter Chapman It’s almost turkey time, sports fans, and time to reflect a tad on November activities and what has happened in the past couple of weeks and take a gander into the future. Hope all of you are well and that nary a reader goes without enough turkey, mashed potatoes, yams, green been casserole and pumpkin pie drowning in a sea of whipped cream.

Mariners Quite a season for the Seattle Mariners: High hopes to begin the season, not enough hitting to balance solid pitching performances, losing the team’s icon mid-season then its longtime play-by-play announcer and then getting a Cy Young Award for its young, talented pitcher. I considered fellow announcer Dave Niehaus a friend. Since 1977, he has been the voice of the Mariners on radio and Port Angeles/ Sequim station KONP has been on the Mariner radio network since the beginning. NIEHAUS He did all but 101 of the 5,385 games the Mariners have played, only recently taking a midseason vacation in July to spend time with his family on Lake Chelan. He was recognized as one of the outstanding voices of the game and was included in the broadcasters wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008. He was very, very, very proud of that recognition. His “My, oh, my” and “It will fly away” became household phrases, as well as his “grand salami” call for a grand slam home run. His love of baseball showed in his broadcasts and Dave always had time for us little guys. When the Mariners had their opening games in the Kingdome or Safeco, he always gave me his assessment of spring training and how the Mariners were going to do. In nine of 10 seasons, he was right. We will miss Dave. His memorial service will be at Safeco Field on Dec. 11.

Peninsula’s Pirates celebrate their first NWAACC championship Sunday night, edging Highline 5-4 in a penalty kick shootout. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Pirates are golden Peninsula wins first NWAACC title in a shootout Gioseffi kicks game-winner, Wilson named tourney MVP By MICHAEL DASHIELL Sequim Gazette

Cy Young? Si! Felix Hernandez was runner-up in 2009 and was named Cy Young winner for the American League last week. It was much deserved. The big right-hander threw 249.2/3 innings, fanned 232, walked just 70, hurled six complete games, had an earned-run average of 2.27 per nine innings pitched and recorded a 13-12 won-lost mark. Since signing with Seattle in 2004, he has had only two losing seasons. That’s amazing. He was 7-2 for Everett in 2003, 9-3 for Inland Empire in 2004, 5-1 with San Antonio the same year and 9-4 in Tacoma in 2005. He was 4-4 with Seattle in 2005. He began 2006 as a 19-year-old and finished 12-14, then 14-7, 9-11 and 19-5 a year ago. Best news? He’s signed through 2014. By the way, what has happened to Ken Griffey Jr.? He just dropped out of sight and sound, and me thinks his feud with former Mariner manager Don Wakamatsu and several team-

See SCOOTER, page B-3

Peninsula forward Miguel Gonzalez scored all three of the Pirates’ goals in the postseason and was named the NWAACC West division’s Most Valuable Player. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

Peninsula players rally around the NWAACC men’s championship trophy. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

In between regulation and overtime periods, Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman corralled his team and asked for someone to step up and be a hero. Turns out he got a whole roster full of them. The Pirates captured the first NWAACC championship in school history, edging division rival Highline 5-4 on penalty kicks Sunday night in Tukwila. Keeper Jared Wilson made a sliding stop on Highline’s fifth attempt, and freshman Yan Gioseffi connected on P.C.’s fifth consecutive penalty kick score to secure WILSON the title. Wilson’s efforts earned him the tournament Most Valuable Player Award. “Perfect ending,” said freshman midfielder Tyler Hindmarch. While Peninsula’s first appearance in the championship wasn’t unexpected — they had been ranked No. 1, 2 or 3 in the NWAACC poll all season — Highline was the West division’s No. 3 seed and needed a pair of playoff road wins to get to the final four. But the Thunderbirds had knocked off Peninsula twice this season by identical 1-0 counts. “It’s a rematch we wanted,” Gonzalez said. Peninsula coach Andrew Chapman said he figured Sunday evening’s game would be a tight one. “We had a feeling it could be a 0-0 game all the way through,” he said. “They (Peninsula players) were mostly freshmen (but) the nerves were not there. They knew

they belonged here.” For two 45-minute halves and a pair of 10-minute overtime periods, the teams slugged it out, trying to catch a break or bad pass or penalty in the box. And for 110-plus minutes, it didn’t come. Not that the teams didn’t have chances.

Needing extra time Miguel Gonzalez, who was named West Region’s MVP before Sunday’s finale, put a hard shot on goal at the 14-minute mark that Highline keeper Bryan Murray deflected. P.C.’s Patrick Wolverton had the rebound but couldn’t place it in the net. Highline controlled much of the first half, but Peninsula’s stingy defense and Wilson kept the net clean. Hindmarch had a shot near halftime that whistled over the net then had another breakaway early in the second half that was knocked away by a diving Murray. Peninsula’s Matt Stefanko and Brian Holguin each had shots on goal in the overtime period. It would take soccer’s final tiebreaker to decide the winner. With Highline up first, Amos Nistrian found the upper-left corner, putting Highline up 1-0 in the shootout. Gonzalez went upper right corner. Tied, 1-1. Then Highline’s Tody Tolo went left past Wilson. Highline, 2-1. Peninsula’s Jeff Mullen went left past Murray. Tied, 2-2. Highline’s Zachary Taylor went to his left. Highline, 3-2. P.C.’s Brian Holguin went upper right-hand corner. Tied, 3-3. Highline’s Kevin Bodle went left again. Highline, 4-3. Peninsula’s Jake Hughes found

See SOCCER, page B-2

SEQUIM GAZETTE

B-2 • Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Yamamoto earns league MVP

GIRLS SOCCER DeWees, O’Neil named all-leaguers

Senior headlines 13 Wolves on all-league squad

Sequim Gazette staff Sequim Gazette staff

A star on both sides of the ball, Sequim’s Isaac Yamamoto capped his senior football season with the Olympic League Most Valuable Player Award. Yamamoto was one of 13 Wolves named to the allleague team last week. The running back rushed for 1,127 yards — 8.3 yards per carry — and 16 touchdowns in the regular season, helping Sequim go 9-1 and win their sixth league title in seven seasons. Yamamoto added 90 tackles, four sacks, two interceptions and recovered six fumbles on defense. Fellow senior Preston McFarlen was named to the all-league first team on both sides of the ball, as an offensive lineman and linebacker. McFarlen had 75 tackles and two interceptions on defense while blocking for a Sequim rushing attack that piled up 1,933 yards and 33 touchdowns. Senior Drew Rickerson was named all-league first team quarterback with 1,973 yards and 21 touchdowns, plus another 255 yards and eight

scores on the ground. Senior Joey Hall was named all-league first team wide receiver. Rickerson’s favorite target had 44 catches for 865 yards (19.7 per catch) and 10 touchdowns. He also was named to the all-league defensive squad as an honorable mention. Senior Tyler Forshaw was named to the first team all-league squad at defensive back, leading the team with three interceptions and seven passes defended. He also was named to the all-league second team as a wide receiver after making 29 catches for 360 yards and three scores. Junior Frank Catelli was named to the all-league first team as defensive lineman. He had 65 tackles and a team-best 13 sacks. Sequim senior Chris Dahl and junior Brendon Carpenter were named all-league second-teamers for their work on the offensive line. Senior defensive lineman Emilio Perete, senior linebacker Chase Bigger and junior defensive back Nick Ramirez were named to the all-league second team defensive squad. Perete had 33 tackles and a sack, Bigger had 44

Sequim High School senior Isaac Yamamoto races past Bremerton defenders for a big gain in September. Yamamoto was named Olympic League Most Valuable Player last week. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell

tackles and Ramirez added 31 tackles and an interception. Senior offensive lineman Jack Clark and junior defensive lineman Clay Charlie were named all-league honorable mentions.

Kingston’s Lou Hecker was the league’s offensive MVP with a league-leading 1,963 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. Port Angeles’ Troy Martin was the defensive MVP

with 127 tackles (85 solo), two sacks and two interceptions. Port Angeles won the league’s coaching award while Klahowya won the team sportsmanship award.

Sequim’s girls soccer squad may have struggled on the field but they didn’t let it affect their spirit. The Wolves were awarded the Olympic League’s Sportsmanship Award following the fall 2010 season. Sequim junior Rachel De We e s w a s named to the all-league second team as goalkeeper. DeWEES Teammate Quinn O’Neil, a junior midfielder, was named an allleague honorable mention. North Kitsap junior O’NEIL midfielder Delanee Nilles and Port Townsend sophomore forward Irina Lyons were named league co-MVPs. Colin Foden of Por t Townsend was named Coach of the Year. Port Angeles had six players named to the all-league team, including first-team forward Kathryn Moseley.

GYMNASTICS

Klahhane club wins 2 titles Sequim Gazette staff

Danica Miller and Haylee Ward claimed individual all-around titles in the USAG-WA North Sectional Meet at Sky Valley Gymnastics in Monroe on Saturday Nov. 20. Competing in the Junior A division, Ward scored 35.75 all-around points, taking individual event titles on uneven bars (8.95) and balance beam (8.975). She edged out teammate Christine Beirne, who took the individual vault title and was second all-around with 35.0 points. In the Senior A division, Miller took first with 36.35 points. The Sequim gymnast took individual titles on balance beam and floor exercise with identical scores on 9.15. Karlie Gochnour was seventh all-around in the Senior A division standings, scoring 32.65 allaround points. Laura Rooney was third all-around 33.1 and third on uneven bars (8.65) in the Senior B Division. The entire team qualified to the Level 4 State fall state meet at Sammamish High School on Saturday, Dec. 4. Klahhane was second in the team competition scoring 107.225 points, only .275 behind the host club Sky Valley at 107.50.

Soccer From page B-1 the right-hand corner. Tied, 4-4. Highline’s fifth shot came from Kyle Danielson. The freshman went lower righthand corner, and Wilson guesses correctly. “I couldn’t believe the ball was in my hand,” Wilson said later. All that was left was Gioseffi’s shot, which sailed by Murray, setting off a celebration Peninsula College has been waiting for for decades. The last school title was the men’s basketball team crown in 1970. Amazing,” said Hughes, a freshman from London, England. “It’s just our first year together.” Gonzalez said the team’s success is simple: hard work and teamwork. “We play together as a team … and every practice is working hard.” Chapman said this team has set a high standard for teams to come. Before leaving the field, he had a request of college president Thomas Keegan, who was on hand Sunday to witness the championship: under the scoreboard at the newly-refurbished college field, a banner reading “2010 NWAACC champs.”

Pirate earn postseason honors Five men and one woman from Peninsula College soccer squads were named to NWAACC all-star teams. Gonzalez, the Pirate freshman who set a school record this fall for goals in a season

Klahhane teams place second The Klahhane Gymnastics Level 4 and Recreational Optional teams both placed second in their respective divisions at Gymnastics Elite on Nov. 13-14 in Tumwater. On Nov. 13 in the Level 4 division’s 11-andolder age group, Danica Miller took third all-around (36.6 points) taking first on balance

beam, second on vault and second on floor exercise. Laura Rooney was fourth on vault and sixth all-around, with 32.8 points. Karlie Gochnour was seventh all-around with 32.6 points. In the 9-year-old division, Haylee Ward was second on floor exercise, third on vault and third on uneven bars, placing third in all-around scoring (36.25 points). Also competing in the division was Christine Beirne, who placed fourth on vault and finished sixth allaround with 34.0 points. In the recreational optional competition on Nov. 14, Peyton Hefton, competing in the 8-yearolds age group, was third in all-around scoring (31.25 points), taking first on bars and third on vault. ODEN Sequim’s Lillian Oden was third all-around (32.05 points) in the 11.5-12 age group, taking first on balance beam and third on uneven bars. In the same age group, Alexis Hefton was sixth all-around (31.45 points), taking second on balance beam and third on vault. In the 11-year-old age division, Sequim’s Adare McMinn was sixth allaround (32.525 points), taking third on vault. Nikki Price scored 31.925 points for ninth place and Saige Hefton was 13th with 30.825 points. Emily VanDyken was sixth MCMINN all-around in the 13-and-older age group, scoring 31.5 points. Sydney Miner, competing in the 10-year-old age division, was seventh all-around (28.175 points).

SPORTS BRIEFS Basketball

Top: Peninsula keeper Jared Wilson makes a diving stop on Highline forward Kyle Danielson’s penalty kick. Above: Peninsula freshman Yan Gioseffi watches as his penalty kick scores Peninsula’s championship. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

with 14, was named West Region’s most valuable player. He also had four assists. Joining him on the allstar squad are defenders Mullen and Brent Ricigliano, midfielder Hindmarch and Wilson, P.C.’s goalkeeper. Wilson had five shutouts and 53 saves in 15 games. Hindmarch had five goals and two assists. Ricigliano had a goal and three assists in limited time (12 games) while Mullen added three assists. They helped the Pirates give up

just 17 scores in 17 regularseason contests. Andrew Chapman was named West Region Coach of the Year, his third such award in the past four seasons. In the Pirates’ inaugural women’s season, Peninsula freshman midfielder Jackie Rodgers was named an allstar. Rodgers tied for the team lead with five goals and led the squad with six assists. Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette. com.

Port Angeles Recreation adult basketball league • Standings (as of Nov. 20) Irwin Dental Center 1-0 Blue Sharks 1-0 4 In The Key 1-0 Burley Construction 1-0 Cougar’s 0-0 Langston Professional Services 0-1 Seven Cedar’s Casino 0-1 Ulin Concrete Pumping 0-1 Sergio’s/Tracy’s Insulation 0-1

Bowling Sequim Olympic Lanes • Wall Street Jour nal league, Nov. 9 Men’s high game: Jose Martinez, 188 Men’s high series: Bill Sheets, 480 Women’s high game: Joan Wright, 181 Women’s high series: Wright, 503 • Sunlanders league, Nov. 9 Men’s high game: Ed Jones, 188 Men’s high series: Dave Anderson, 489

Women’s high game: M.J. Anderson, 169 Women’s high series: Cheryl Coulter, 447 League leader: Alley Cats • First Federal Snipers league, Nov. 10 Men’s high game: Jim Getchman, 201 Men’s high series: Getchman, 562 Women’s high game: Eva Rider, 169 Women’s high series: Rider, 458 League leader: Derringers (by 1 point) • Les Schwab Mixed league, Nov. 10 Men’s high game: Mike Elkhart, 214 Men’s high series: Elkhart, 590 Women’s high game: Rose Jaeger, 158 Women’s high series: Jaeger, 442 League leader: Irritable Bowl Syndrome, Lugnuts (tie) • Nine-Pin No Tap league, Nov. 11

Men’s high game: Cliff Silliman, 247 Men’s high series: Pete Centeno, 591 Women’s high game: Linda Chansky, 211 Women’s high series: Ginny Bowling, 506.

Volleyball Port Angeles Recreation coed league • Nov. 15 Les Schwab 2, Dave’s AllAround Repair 2 (25-15, 22-25, 27-25, 18-25) Michael’s Seafood & Steakhouse 3, High Energy Metals 0 (25-20, 25-19, 25-23) A Brewed Awakening Espresso 3, Joyce General Store 0 (25-16, 25-19, 25-21) D.A. Davidson 3, Olympic Medical Center 0 (25-8, 25-15, 25-12) • Nov. 17 Swanson’s 3, Northwest Wood Products 0 (27-25, 25-11, 25-12) Blind Ambition Blinds 3, Drake’s U-Bake Pizza & Subs 0 (25-4, 25-13, 25-12) Fitness West 3, Captain Zak’s 0 (25-21, 25-14, 25-22)