With a full season, the juggernaut that is Sequim’s boys golf squad would have a shot at another strong finish at the state tourney.
That’s how new coach Sean O’Mera sees it, as the Wolves boast lineup packed with experienced golfers and solid newcomers who have shown serious talent in early play.
In 2019 Sequim’s boys went 9-0 on their way to another Olympic League title and sent four players to state, earning the team’s second runner-up finish at the state 2A tourney in as many seasons.
And while the Wolves lost 2017, 2018 and 2019 league MVPs (Paul Jacobsen and Blake Wiker, who eanred one each and shared the 2019 honor), the team sees the return of three letter winners in Ben Sweet, Dominic Riccobene and Garret Hoesel.
Sweet was an all-league first team player who finished in the top 20 at state in 2019 while Riccobene and Hoesel were all-league second team players.
“I have absolutely no doubt that were there to be a full, regular season and postseason, we would send at least two golfers to state,” O’Mera said. “Ben Sweet and Dominic Riccobene are phenomenal, near scratch players. Both Garret and Pryce would have a great shot at making state, as well.
“We would have a great shot at not only an individual state title but a team title as well,” O’Mera said.
The Wolves also add Pryce Glasser, who sank a hole-in-one in a preseason practice.
Sequim’s Pryce Glasser celebrates a hole-in-one at a preseason practice at The Cedars at Dungeness. Submitted photo
“More important than the talent, the young men we have this year are mature, team-oriented, and get along so well,” O’Mera said.
The Sequim coach — himself a three-time state tourney competitor for Sequim High (2003-2005) — said his transition from volunteer coach to head coach was helped greatly by the foundation laid by former head coaches Bill Shea and Garrett Smithson, as well as Chad Wagner, current head professional at The Cedars at Dungeness, Sequim’s home course.
“SHS is incredibly lucky to be able to use such a fantastic facility day in and day out,” O’Mera said.
Sequim’s girls look for another strong campaign on the links after going 7-2 in league play and putting two players in the state tournament.
First-year coach Tim Lusk, who previously led the SHS fastpitch program, looked to kick off his coaching rookie campaign last spring just prior to the COVID outbreak. This spring he has back a quintet of returners with varsity experience, paced by seniors Jessica German, JoNell Hill and Delaney Nucci.
Sequim’s Jessica German, then a sophomore, watches a drive from the second hole at The Cedars at Dungeness during a league match in 2019; Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
“Newcomers” Hannah Wagner and Jelissa Julmist had posted strong scores that had them high up the roster ladder in early spring practices in 2020, Lusk said, and figure to bolster and already tough team.
SHS earns split in opener
The Wolves split a pair of matches with Klahowya’s Eagles on March 24, with the Sequim boys winning 171-224 and the girls falling by just one stroke, 217-218, in a match played in rough, rainy conditions at Gold Mountain Golf Club.
Dominic Riccobene was match medalist with a nine-hole round of 3-over par 39.
Ben Sweet and Pryce Glasser each carded 43, and Garret Hoesel shot a 46.
It was Glasser’s first career varsity match, along with Cole Smithson, who shot a 55, and Truman Nestor, who shot 53.
Hannah Wagner led the Sequim girls with a round of 52, while Jessica German (53), Jelissa Julmist (44) and Delaney Nucci (58) also counted toward the Wolves’ score.
Sequim girls coach Tim Lusk said his team played through rough weather, including standing water on the final three greens.
“Too many three and four putts, but all the girls toughed it out, and I am very proud of them,” Lusk said.
