Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

Loaded.

That's how Sequim's golf teams look early on as the prep for a big year on the links.

The Wolves boast a boys team with five seniors and three juniors - several with significant district or state experience - plus promising newbies, and a girl's team featuring state golfers Zoei Zbaraschuk and Kim Duce.

Garrett Smithson coaches both squads heading into the 2009 season.

"We are very excited about the boys team this year," Smithson said. 'We feel they are the favorite to win the Olympic League. We have a lot of returners with experience, which will be a huge advantage for us."

Back is Colby Rude, a two-time state golfer and senior, and a host of others - Chad Quinet, Taylor Thorson, Sean Lindstedt and Brendon Gilles - who have played at the district tournament level.

The Wolves' boys also get a boost with Ryan O'Mera, a freshman with loads of Washington Junior Golf experience, and

newcomers Casey Torres and Mallory Maloney.

Smithson expects Olympic's Trojans to be Sequim's top rival this year. The Trojans edged Sequim by four points (93-89) last year at their course, and this year the match is in Sequim.

"Olympic, like us, is returning all their players from last year," Smithson said. He noted rivals Port Angeles and Port Townsend look formidable as well.

On the girls' side, two-time state golfer Zoei Zbaraschuk looks to place even higher than her seventh-place state finish in 2008. The district champ figures to have a strong year along with sophomore Kim Duce, who earned a ticket to state as a freshman last season, and Lisa Doan, who played at the district tournament as a freshman last spring.

"(Zoei) is far and away the

best player in the league," Smithson said. "Kim went to state last year ... and we are expecting good things from her."

The Wolves' newest additions include Hailey Estes, a freshman whom Smithson said has lots of talent, and newcomers Ashley Lund and Loretta Creasey.

"The other two girls are brand new to the game and will definitely help out the team," Smithson said.



Wolves boys take

second at home jamboree

Sequim's golfers racked up 66 Stableford points to place second overall, two points shy of league rival Olympic, at a preseason jamboree in Sequim March 12.

Chimacum was third with 64 points.

Colby Rude led the Wolves with 16 points, followed by Brendon Gilles, Steve Loerlein, Ryan O'Mera and Jason Kowitz with 13 points each.



Sequim High Wolves golf

Head coach: Garrett Smithson (second year with boys, third year with girls)

2008 record: Boys - 3-2-1, fourth at districts, two to state tournament; Girls - 4-4, second at districts, three to state tournament

Returning players: Boys - Colby Rude (sr.), Chad Quinet (sr.), Taylor Thorson (sr.), Brendon Gilles (sr.), Sean Lindstedt (sr.), Jake Dethlefsen (jr.), Steve Loerlein (jr.), Jason Kowitz (jr.), Josh Francis (so.). Girls - Zoei Zbaraschuk (jr.), Kim Duce (so.), Lisa Doan (so.)

Newcomers: Boys - Ryan O'Mera (fr.), Joel Rich (jr.), Mallory Maloney (so.), Casey Torres (fr.), Patrick McCready (fr.). Girls - Hailey Estes (fr.), Ashley Lund (jr.), Loretta Creasey (fr.)

Outlook: With a boys team loaded with playoff-experienced seniors and the girls led by a two-time state placer, the Sequim squads are well prepared for another strong finish in the Olympic League.





Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.