Second set of Sequim Hall of Famers awarded

With a laundry list of personal and athletic accomplishments in their lives, inductees into the second Sequim High School Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 13 shared gratitude for their time and the people in Sequim.

Todd Franklin, a Sequim High School 1985 graduate that starred on the basketball court in high school, college and overseas, thanked his teammates, his parents and his coach, the late Rick Kaps, a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee.

“I wouldn’t be here without some help along the way,” he said. “This is just a huge honor for me.”

While he couldn’t be in attendance, inductee Dick Ballard asked his classmate Roenah Blank to read his letter of thanks.

“It takes family, coaches, teammates, and even the student body to help you succeed,” he wrote. “Sequim was a great place to grow up.”

Fellow inductee Mark Verstegen, president of EXOS, who has worked with championship teams and corporations across the globe, said “I can tell you that none of them hold a candle to the culture, to the coaching and faculty, and the community that we know in Sequim.”

He ended his speech saying, “there’s nothing that brings me more pride than being from Sequim.”

Ballard, Franklin, and Verstegen were three of nine inductees and two teams selected and honored by the Sequim Athletic Educational Foundation at the Guy Cole Event Center.

Photo by Michael Dashiell/ Len Beil, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, told attendees of the ceremony that he feels gratitude to his classmates, and for being part of the Sequim community.

The 2025 inductees include:

• 1963 Sequim High School Boys Basketball Team

• 1988 Sequim High School Boys Basketball Team

• Dick Ballard (SHS Class of 1955)

• Len Beil (Class of 1963)

• Derrin Doty (Class of 1989)

• Todd Franklin (Class of 1985)

• Lisa (Fryer) Tuiasosopo (Class of 1997)

• Kris Kruse (Class of 1980)

• Bill Schade (SHS coach)

• Branette (Smith) Richards (Class of 1979)

• Mark Verstegen (Class of 1987)

They each received a plaque, and their names will be listed on a large plaque in the Sequim High gymnasium.

The Sequim Athletic Educational Foundation held auctions at the ceremony with funds used to support high school scholarships and athletic endeavors in the Sequim School District. Last year’s inaugural event raised about $28,000 that helped purchase new wrestling mats, a sound system for the stadium, and high jump and pole vault mats.

Sequim High School’s athletic director Ian Henley said the foundation’s support “keeps the kids safe, and it shows their community is behind them.”

Photo by Michael Dashiell Kris Kruse, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee for basketball, said his time in Sequim was “just a great ride.”

Each inductee

• 1963 Sequim High School Boys Basketball Team

The ’63 Wolves captured the Olympic League title with a 7-1 conference record and earned a berth to the Class A State Tournament — the first Sequim team in a decade to reach that level. Sequim finished the regular season with a 13-6 record, competing against both Class A and AA schools. Coached by Virgil King, the team was led by all-Olympic League stars Len Beil, a senior who averaged 23 points per game and earned All-State honors, and junior Cliff Echternkamp, who added 17.3 points per contest.

• 1988 Sequim High School Boys Basketball Team

Led by Olympic League MVP Ryan Kaps and coach Rick Kaps (both 2024 Sequim Hall of Fame inductees), the 1988 SHS squad dominated opponents going all the way to the state 2A title game. Despite not having a player taller than 6-3, the Wolves went 25-1, losing only in the state championship.

• Dick Ballard

Richard N. “Dick” Ballard was a multi-sport star who followed his passion for athletics into a coaching and athletic director career. He earned seven letters while at Sequim High — two in football, two in basketball, and three in baseball — before coaching and athletic director stints at North Kitsap and Goldendale.

• Len Beil

Basketball standout Len Beil, a 6-foot-4-inch center, was a two-time All-Olympic League First Team selection, set the school record for points in a game (43) and in 1963 helped the Wolves to their first state tourney appearance in a decade. Beil earned all-state honors that season and earned a full basketball scholarship to Seattle University, where he helped Seattle to an NCAA tourney berth in 1966.

• Derrin Doty

A two-sport standout (baseball, basketball) at Sequim High, Derrin Doty was one of the University of Washington’s top athletes of all time, hitting .402 his senior season and earning two first team All-Pac 10 selections. Doty was drafted into Major League Baseball and played several seasons in the minor leagues before earning state-level success as a high school coach in soccer, baseball and basketball.

• Todd Franklin

A former league MVP, Todd Franklin took his basketball skills halfway around the world before returning stateside to coach. Todd was Olympic League MVP in his senior season, averaged a double-double in his years at Skagit Valley, and played at Gonzaga University. He starred for two top teams in Australia over five years before taking on head coaching positions at Chimacum and Black Hills high schools.

• Lisa (Fryer) Tuiasosopo

A multi-sport star for two years at Sequim High (Class of 1997) before she focused on volleyball, Lisa Fryer dominated the courts and earned success for the Wolves and at the University of North Carolina. Fryer powered her 1996-97 team to a 14-0 league record, was named league MVP, All-State captain and MVP at All-State Game. She earned a scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where she helped her team to two conference titles and three NCAA tournament appearances.

• Kris Kruse

A basketball star who set career scoring and rebounding records by the time he graduated from Sequim High in 1980, Kris Kruse led the Wolves to a third-place finish at the state 3A basketball tournament. He played basketball at Peninsula College, Lower Columbia College and Seattle University before moving on to a successful prep coaching career.

• Branette (Smith) Richards

Earning a letter in tennis from freshman year through her senior year, Branette Smith was undefeated in league play and earned a berth in the state tourney all four years. She was among the top eight at state each season, placing third as a junior.

• Bill Schade

William Joseph “Bill” Schade led Sequim’s football and track programs in the late 1940’s and 1950’s and helped establish Sequim’s youth football league. Signed by the New York Giants, Bill instead served in World War II before returning to Sequim for a successful coaching career.

• Mark Verstegen

Mark Verstegen starred in three sports at Sequim High — football, basketball, and track and field — before becoming one of the world’s foremost experts on human performance. A global keynote speaker and the author of six books including “Every Day Is Game Day” and “Core Performance,” Verstegen is president of EXOS, working with world-class athletes, the U.S. military, and leading corporations, showing millions how to upgrade their lives.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Lisa (Fryer) Tuiasosopo, right, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, sits with her former Sequim High School volleyball head coach Jennie Webber Heilman who she attributed to giving her opportunities early on and learning to play freely.

Inductees’ feedback

Tuiasosopo (Fryer) said in an interview she felt “so blessed to see all the familiar faces and to feel the love and support of the Sequim community. She most fondly remembers playing home games with a supportive home crowd.

“The loyalty was unbelievable,” Tuiasosopo said.

During her acceptance speech, she thanked many people, including family, coaches and teachers, such as her fourth grade teacher Todd Groff who introduced her to volleyball, and her high school coach Jennie Webber Heilman who gave her an opportunity early on.

Richards (Smith) said the award was an awesome feeling and that tennis has meant a lot to her since she learned to play at Sequim Bay State Park’s tennis court with her dad.

B.J. Schade accepted the award on behalf of his late grandfather Bill Schade, a coach, teacher and counselor in his career.

“Athletics was such a big part of his life,” said B.J. Schade in an interview. “I know it’s something he’d be really proud of.”

Beil, who earned a full basketball scholarship to Seattle University, where he helped Seattle to an NCAA tourney berth in 1966, thanked his parents, both educators, for instilling community service and what was truly important in life to him.

“The main thing I feel tonight is gratitude; gratitude to my classmates, and for being part of this community and being recognized tonight,” he said.

JD Patterson, speaking for the Sequim High 1988 boys basketball squad that went 25-1 and finished second at state, noted, “It was such an honor to play for a community that supported us.”

He said during his junior year, they finished fifth at state and later his coaches Larry Hill and Rick Kaps took them to see “Hoosiers” and “we got to live that dream the very next year.”

“As we played and kept winning, the town kept coming to our games and showing up, and by the time we got halfway through the season, you could not get into the gym,” Patterson said.

“It was such a dream and such an honor to play for this community that supported us all that time, and it was, I mean, it was a dream season, and thank you to the Sequim community for supporting all of us.”

Derrin Doty, a member of that team, a two-sport standout (baseball, basketball) at Sequim High who was named to University of Washington’s “Husky All-Century Team,” said the athletic memories are great, but it’s really about memories and life moments.

“It’s these life moments (that are special),” he said. “These life moments are unbelievable. This is one of them, right here.”

He shared his hope that Sequim athletics continue to grow and that younger students will continue to come together like he and his 1988 teammates did.

Organizers said 216 people attended the second Hall of Fame ceremony. For more about the Sequim Hall of Fame, visit sequimhalloffame.org.

Photo by Michael Dashiell/ Derrin Doty, a member of that team, a two-sport standout (baseball, basketball) at Sequim High who was named to the University of Washington’s “Husky All-Century Team,” said the athletic memories are great, but it’s really about memories and life moments. “It’s these life moments (that are special),” he said. “These life moments are unbelievable. This is one of them, right here.”

Photo by Michael Dashiell/ JD Angiuli, master of ceremonies for the Sequim High School Hall of Fame, holds up a towel with a photo of Branette (Smith) Richards, a 2025 inductee, projected onto it.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Len Beil, right, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, sits with his Seattle University teammate Tom Workman, an NBA draft pick, at the ceremony dinner. Beil and Workman made the NCAA tournament and lost to eventual national champion.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Branette (Smith) Richards, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, said it feels “awesome” to be chosen in the event’s second year.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Ryan Kaps, a Sequim High School Hall of Fame 2024 inductee, bids on a basketball he and teammates of the 1988 varsity basketball team signed during their state run. He and teammates were inducted into the Hall of Fame this year for finishing second at state.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ BJ Schade accepts the Sequim High School Hall of Fame award for his late grandfather Bill Schade who coached in Sequim. “I know it’s something he’d be really proud of,” B.J. Schade said.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Don Brueckner, his son Chad Brueckner, and grandson Matthew Brueckner were three generations in attendance at the Sequim High School Hall of Fame on Sept. 13. Don was part of the 1963 team inducted, and said he was the only sophomore on the team. His grandson Matthew is wearing Don’s sweater from high school.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Lisa (Fryer) Tuiasosopo, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, thanks family and former teachers and coaches for helping her succeed in school, athletics and life in general.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Organizers said 216 people attended the second Sequim High School Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 13 inside the Guy Cole Event Center.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Todd Franklin, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee for his basketball career, thanked his teammates, his parents and his coach, the late Rick Kaps, a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee. “I wouldn’t be here without some help along the way,” he said. “This is just a huge honor for me.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Roenah Blank, a classmate of Dick Ballard from the Sequim High School Class of 1955, reads his thank you to letter for being accepted to the Sequim High School Hall of Fame.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Todd Franklin, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee for his basketball career, listens to his accolades while he is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Some of the members of Sequim High School’s 1963 basketball team gather on stage to accept being inducted into Sequim High School’s Hall of Fame.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Kris Kruse, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee for basketball, said his time in Sequim was “just a great ride.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Most of the 1988 Sequim High School boys basketball team stands together as they’re inducted into Sequim High School’s Hall of Fame in 2025, its second year. The team finished second in state.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ JD Patterson, speaking for the 1988 boys basketball team, said, “it was such a dream and such an honor to play for this community that supported us all that time, and it was, I mean, it was a dream season, and thank you to the Sequim community for supporting all of us.”

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Lisa (Fryer) Tuiasosopo, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, listens to JD Angiuli list off her accomplishments on and off the field before she is inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Branette (Smith) Richards, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, said it feels “awesome” to be chosen in the event’s second year.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Mark Verstegen, a 2025 Sequim High School Hall of Fame inductee, speaks about the importance of growing up in Sequim and how much the community has meant to him and his values. “Anyone who’s ever dealt with me knows all about Sequim,” he said.