Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

In poker, they're called aces in the hole.

At first glance, it might seem like a rebuilding year for either of the Wolves' golfing squads, but in reality neither team is hurting come the first matches of the season.

Sequim's girls lost five seniors from last year's squad to graduation - including three state competitors - but return two of their top three in Zoei Zbaraschuk and Phoebe Haglin.

With those two, says

Sequim coach Garrett Smithson, the Wolves have a legitimate shot at beating each and every team in league.

In addition, the Wolves have Medea Bernsten, a senior who played golf her freshman and sophomore years - "she's going to be an asset," Smithson says - and promising first-year players Lisa Doan and Kimberly Duce.

The Wolves went undefeated last season in league play and finished ninth at state.

"I do think that we will be very competitive in the league (this year)," Smithson says.

On the boys' side, they lost Casey Rude, their top golfer, to graduation, but his brother Colby appears ready to take over the team's top position. Colby earned a spot at the state tournament, missing the first day cut by just three shots.

And despite losing a number of other varsity starters, the boys' squad that boasts just one senior is deceptively experienced - the team has 10 returnees, many of whom got plenty of experience in junior varsity matches. Smithson credits assistant Vic Quinet, who schedules six to eight JV matches each spring, to keep the next crop of players ready for varsity.

Bryce Gange is Sequim's lone senior and Smithson says, "He shows a lot of promise."