Sequim’s boys and golf programs, traditional league powerhouses each spring, look for a handful of returners and promising newcomers to step up after all losing all four of their state qualifiers to graduation.
Cole Smithson and Zackary Thompson paced the 2023 SHS boys team to 5-4 match record and a 10th place finish at the state 2A tourney, but first-year coach Greg Glasser will look to returners Lars Wiker and Cody Dunscomb this spring.
“We’re still pretty young,” Glasser said, ” and we have some real strong newcomers.”
Wiker is a leader on the course for the Wolves — not surprising, considering his football quarterbacking background.
Newcomer Adrian Aragon is new to the team, but Glasser noted he will likely wind up the top Wolf this spring.
“If he can learn to reign in that swing, he’s going to be good,” Glasser said. “He spend a lot of time out here [on the course].”
Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Sequim’s Lars Wiker putts during a match against Olympic at The Cedars at Dungeness in 2023.
Glasser said Joey Kang and Ryan Stites figure to be in the lead pack, while newcomer Anthony McCrorie has shown some promise in early practices.
On the girls’ side, Sequim loses state qualifier Jelissa Julmist but three of their four district meet qualifiers — seniors Emily Post and Ava Johnson and junior Sara German — are back on the links this season.
“Great group of girls,” said SHS girls coach Tim Lusk.
Lusk, who has Darren Stephens as assistant this spring, said he expects big seasons from his returning players, in particular Post and Johnson.
Three newcomers are seniors and two of them haven’t played the sport prior to the season, but Lusk said he has high hope for the group that includes all-around athlete Taryn Johnson.
“If they really just focus, they can figure things out.”
SHS girls open with wins, boys fall
Sequim’s girls started the spring campaign with a pair of wins, opening with an 11-shot win (223-234) at North Mason on March 12, in what Lusk described as awful weather. All four of SHS’s top players shot in the 50s despite the conditions, he said.
“They all know where they need to improve,” Lusk said.
Two days later, Sequim won their home opener by 12 shots, 220-232, over Olympic.
The Wolves got well-balanced scoring, led by Post (53), Johnson (55), German (56) and Kendra Dodson (56). Olympic was led by Chelsea Bevan and Kiyomi McKenzie with 53s.
Sequim’s boys (0-2) lost a heart-breaker to open the season, falling five five shots at North Mason.
Two days later in their home opener, the Wolves got a breakout performance from Aragon who took medalist honors with a 39, but the visiting Olympic squad was solid top to bottom and took the match, 178-198. Noah Shaw (41) and Dylan Williams (43).
Aragon was backed by Wiker, who shot a 45, and Kang, who finished with a 54.
Sequim’s boys and girls were scheduled to host North Kitsap on March 19 in a non-leaguer; results were not available at press time.
The Wolves open league competition at home on March 21 against Bainbridge.
Spring sports preview: Boys, girls golf
Head coaches: Boys — Greg Glasser (first season); Girls — Tim Lusk (fourth season)
2023 record: Boys — 5-4 in Olympic League, three athletes to state 2A tourney (10th place); Girls — 5-3 in Olympic League, one athlete to state 2A tourney
Returners: Boys — Lars Wiker (sr.), Cody Dunscomb (so.), Joey Kang (so.), Ethan Stamon (so.), Ryan Stites (so.). Girls — Emily Post (sr.), Ava Johnson (sr.), Sara German (jr.), Chloe Tweter (jr.), Kendra Dodson (so.)
Newcomers: Boys — Anthony McCrorie (jr.), Adrian Aragon (so.), Wyatt Perez (so.), Levi Breithaupt (fr.); Girls — Taryn Johnson (sr.), Marissa Gates (sr.), Yazmin Bahena Torres (sr.), Raimey Brewer (so.), Sallie Alhaddad (fr.), Kaelyn Baerg (fr.), Mikylah Lanning (fr.), Brooke Piersoll (fr.)
2024 Sequim High boys, girls golf schedule
Date Opponent Time
March 12 at North Mason 3 p.m.
March 14 Olympic 3 p.m.
March 19 North Kitsap 3 p.m.
March 21 Bainbridge 3 p.m.
March 28 at Bremerton 3 p.m.
April 9 Kingston 3 p.m.
April 11 at Port Angeles 3 p.m.
April 18 North Mason 3 p.m.
April 26 at North Kitsap 3 p.m.
May 2 at North Kitsap Golf Invitational, Poulsbo noon
May 6 at Olympic League championships, Kingston 8 a.m.
