In a possible first for Sequim High School, athletes shared their college commitments en masse before family, friends and classmates last week at a school assembly.
Athletic director Ian Henley shifted Sequim’s typical school signings from individual events to a group event on May 22. Athletes each sat at a table for their prospective colleges in the Sequim High School gymnasium while coaches shared brief words about their players’ accomplishments.
Participating athletes included Dawn Hulstedt committing to run cross country and track for Central Washington University; Aspen Goldner to run cross country and track, and Jayms Vilona to wrestle for Evergreen State College; Mikki Green to play fastpitch for Nelson University in Arizona; Ethan Staples and Braydan White to play baseball for Olympic College; Ethan Melnick to play basketball, and Nolan Valenzuela to soccer for Peninsula College, and Arianna Stovall to play volleyball at Whatcom Community College.
Dawn Hulstedt, Central Washington University
She plans to study biology with a biomedical science specialization to eventually become a dentist.
Her track coach Brad Moore said Hulstedt is in good company running a similar pace in the 800-meters as former Sequim standouts Stephanie Marcy and Alli Cutting.
She’s set to compete in three events this week in the 2A state track and field championships, including the 800-meters after a second place at the district finals.
Assistant coach B.J. Schade said Hulstedt has “worked incredibly hard the last three years to become one of Sequim’s best distance runners of all time.”
Aspen Goldner, Evergreen
She plans to double major in climate environmental justice and creative writing.
Moore said Goldner “worked super hard for us” and that he’s “pleased to see her continue with her (running) career.”
Schade said it’s been fantastic to see Goldner grow as an athlete the last four years and reiterated her work ethic, that she’s a team leader and reliable.
“She’s just an all-around great asset to our team these last four years,” he said.
Jayms Vilona, Evergreen
He plans to pursue a business degree while in school, he said.
Via email, Vilona’s wrestling coach Tyler Izatt wrote that Vilona demonstrates true dedication to being in a sport by working hard in practice, putting in extra work on his own time, and he is constantly studying the sport of wrestling.
“Not only was Jayms dedicated to improving himself on the mat, but he showed constant work ethic off the mat as well, keeping a high GPA and always supporting his friends and teammates around him,” Izatt said.
“The Sequim High School wrestling family is excited to see what Jayms can accomplish in his college wrestling career and what he chooses to do beyond his college years.”
This year, Vilona qualified for the 2A state wrestling Mat Classic going 3-2 in the 144-pound bracket.
Mikki Green, Nelson University
She plans to study kinesiology as part of her plan to become a sports physical therapist.
Fastpitch coach Mike McFarlen said he’s enjoyed watching Green grow up in Little League, and play for Sequim High School the last four years.
“She’s going to do great things in college,” he said. “I’m super excited for her.”
McFarlen complimented her supportive family, and said he’s super proud of her.
Ethan Staples and Braydan White, Olympic College
White said he plans to become a geologist and Staples an engineer.
Baseball coach Dave Ditlefsen said both players were both four-year starters.
“We went from the bottom of the league to three straight playoff appearances,” he said.
“Both put a lot of work into their games in the offseason too.
White played first base, and was a two-time, All-Olympic League selection. Staples was the Wolves’ No. 1 pitcher who Ditlefsen said has “excellent command of his slider and other pitches.”
“He’s one of the most effective pitchers I’ve ever had,” he said.
Ethan Melnick, Peninsula College
He plans to pursue a business degree.
Sequim basketball coach Craig Brooks said Melnick embodied being a leader as a senior for the team and with Sequim Youth Basketball.
“He’s a great teammate to have on the floor who does everything for us,” Brooks said.
“He does a whole bunch of things that don’t show from the stats sheet as well (such as) taking charges all the time.”
Melnick came up through the high school ranks on the C team and junior varsity squad to become a major contributor and help them get to the state tournament this year, Brooks said.
Sequim’s basketball team finished the season 20-5, including a share of the Olympic League title and a berth in the state tournament after a 12-year absence.
Nolan Valenzuela, Peninsula College
He plans to pursue a business degree to help him eventually own his business while also pursuing a passion to become a professional referee.
His soccer coach Dave Breckenridge said Valenzuela is amazing on and off the soccer field as his personality and goalie skills are “unmatched.”
“This season especially, he had nine penalty kicks taken on him and he saved four, which is unbelievable,” Breckenridge said.
He also attributed Valenzuela to helping the Wolves go so far into districts.
“I’m absolutely super-stoked for the fact he gets to go to P.C., so I can watch him,” Breckenridge said.
Arianna Stovall, Whatcom Community College
She plans to pursue a degree in radiography to become an X-ray technician.
Stovall’s volleyball coach Jennie Webber-Heilman said she’s been on the All-Olympic League first team the last three years as a middle blocker.
“It’s a tough position, and she’s involved in everything,” she said.
“(Stovall) is a hard working kid, so nice to everyone, and set a good example for our younger kids.”
Stovall helped the Wolves place second in the Olympic League, second at the league tournament, and advance to districts where they went 1-2.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash Sequim Athletic Director Ian Henley speaks to the crowd during a college commitment ceremony where nine athletes signed on to play for six different colleges.
