SHS sports preview: Girls golf

2015 record in league, overall: 8-0, league champions; three athletes to 2A state tourney

Head coach: Gary Kettel (15th year)

Returning players: Kelly Anders (sr.), Sydney Balkan (jr.), Angela Carrillo-Burge (so.), Alex McMenamin (jr.), Megan O’Mera (sr.), Sarah Shea (so.), Samantha Smith (so.)

Newcomers: Madison Uranga (fr.), Flora Walchenbach (fr.), Madison Withrow (fr.)

Key league competition: Olympic, Klahowya

SHS sports preview: Boys golf

2015 record in league, overall: 6-2, 7-2;   third in league; two athletes to state 2A tourney

Head coach: Bill Shea (eighth year)

Returning players: Jade Arnold (jr.), Josiah Carter (so.), Jack Shea (sr.), Connor Titterness (jr.), Jazz Weller (so).

Newcomers: Jarrett Allen (fr.), Gavin Happe (so.), Devin Hibler (so.), Joey Oliver (fr.), Liam Payne (fr.), Issac Smith (so.), Jake Sparks (jr.), Liam Stevenson (so.), Robby Street (fr.), Zach Wakefield (sr.), Blake Wiker (fr.)

Key league competition: Port Townsend, Port Angeles, Olympic

With both Olympic League MVPs — Jack Shea and Alex McMenamin — returning, there’s an expectation from their coaches that they’ll be in contention for state titles again for Sequim.

“I think (Jack) has a chance to win,” said Sequim Wolves boys coach and Jack’s dad Bill Shea.

The younger Shea said making the top five at state is a reasonable goal.

“If I didn’t get that, I’d be disappointed,” he said.

Shea didn’t golf much during basketball season, he said, so transitioning back to last season’s level is “going to take a while and hard work.”

“But I like (golf) so it doesn’t feel like hard work,” he said.

Last year, Jack Shea tied for 10th overall at the state tournament, his personal best, and McMenamin tied for ninth following a third place finish in 2014 as a freshman.

Girls coach Gary Kettel thinks McMenamin can place even higher than before.

“Her expectation is to definitely compete for the state title,” Kettel said. “If her putting keeps coming along, then she’ll do great.”

Kettel said she continues to play in tournaments year-round and is focusing on improving her short game.

Backing Shea and McMenamin last year were graduated golfers and state qualifiers Travis Priest, Brianna Kettel and Kailee Price. But Sequim coaches said they like the mix of experience and underclassmen on the team.

Bill Shea said freshman Blake Wiker starts the season as the boys No. 2 because he’s played in junior tournaments and he remains consistent shooting 41-44 on nine holes.

To start the season, the boys’ varsity squad rounds out with Jade Arnold, a district-qualifier last year, Josiah Carter, Jake Sparks, and freshmen Liam Payne and Joey Oliver.

“I think being young can be an advantage,” Bill Shea said. “It takes away a lot of the nerves. Rather than one freshman with a lot of upperclassmen, it’s a mix. I think Jack is going to be a great leader for them.”

Jack Shea said he’s been impressed with Blake and Liam only a few weeks into the season.

“Blake works harder than anyone I’ve seen,” he said. “It’s nice seeing some commitment … with Blake and Liam, I see a lot of potential because of their work ethic and they have a lot of natural talent, too.”

Girls’ golf

Teammates agree McMenamin will remain Sequim’s No. 1 girl golfer but No. 2 is up for grabs.

“I feel like anyone can be the second spot this year,” said sophomore Sarah Shea. “It’s all about improvement. Last year I didn’t start out on varsity and I made it up to No. 2 or 3 spot.”

Sarah Shea missed the state qualifying cutoff by two strokes and she’s set the goal to make state this go-around.

Kettel said he thinks there could be five or six girls going to districts and state this year because they’re all playing better than last year. Candidates for Sequim’s varsity spots also include Kelly Anders, Sydney Balkan, Samantha Smith, Angela Carrillo-Burge and Megan O’Mera.

Their strengths, Kettel said, are their short games.

“They’ve been putting and chipping real well,” he said. “They have a positive attitude and  also come out wanting to get better and wanting to practice.”

O’Mera returns as one of two seniors after playing some of the season while serving as Sequim Irrigation Festival queen. She’s set the goal to make districts for the first time.

“I played a few matches,” she said. “I came when I could. When golf season picks up that’s when royalty picks up. I did miss the team but I thought it was worth it. I had two great years before it and another great year ahead of me.”

Both the boys and girls open their season today, March 16, against Port Angeles at 3 p.m. at The Cedars at Dungeness. The Wolves’ original opening match-up was canceled last week due to rain in Kingston and was rescheduled for March 28.