The WIAA spring sports season began this week as local teams began preseason competition in a variety of jamboree shortened games. Most sports will begin competing this week. Olympia High School (4A SPSL) hosted fellow South Sound fastpitch teams Black Hills (2A EVCO) and Timberline (3A SSC) in a six team mini round robin warm up at Stevens Field, Friday, March 11, 2022. The Jamboree also included high school teams from Shelton, Franklin Pierce and Steilacoom.
Bears head coach Jason Stensby loves the coachability and skill of his team and is ready to compete in a touch 4A SPSL conference. “We have to face a very talented laden league especially with Sumner and Puyallup,” Stensby stated. “My team is young but we have a high level of travel softball experience. Gracie Ray is our senior captain and just is not only my rock at shortstop, but instrumental for the team chemistry and energy.”
Black Hills head coach Mike Vessey was excited to be playing outdoors for a full season. “It is great be back and we are just ready to get going again,” stated Vessey. “Tumwater and WF West will be strong again this year in the 2A EVCO but I’m trying to build a team that is more consistent and I have a nice core of seniors, two juniors and six new freshmen to work with.”
Timberline head coach Lynsi Polanco was also thrilled to be back playing especially on a sunny spring March day. “We have some new talent this year and we should continue to be competitive against all the teams in the 3A SSC,” Polanco remarked. “Yelm will continue to be strong but I like my team, which is a good mix of talent including a strong junior class with Tori Trotter and Jasmyn Polanco who are solid for us on both sides of the field.”
Olympia heads to W.F. West on Wednesday, March 16 to open non-league play. Timberline heads to Montesano Monday, then hosts Emerald Ridge Thursday and Black Hills hosts Capital Tuesday March 15 at 4 pm. Find most spring high school team schedules at VNNSports or Arbiter LIVE.
