Central Kitsap cross country chasing repeat

Even though football is king of high school athletics in the fall, there are plenty of other storylines in West Sound involving other sports. So what athletes and teams are primed to be in the headlines over the next months?

Let’s start with two teams aiming for capture state championships for the second consecutive year:

Central Kitsap’s girls cross country team won last year’s Class 3A championship at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, totaling 70 points to finish well ahead of South Sound Conference rival Gig Harbor, which placed second with 89 points.

Here’s the thing about the Cougars: they’ll likely to be even more dominant this fall.

“We’re stronger,” said Central Kitsap head coach Jeremy Duplissey, whose team ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches 3A state poll, one spot ahead of Gig Harbor. “Everbody got a lot better.”

The team returns almost all its top runners from 2022, including junior Clare Herring (2nd individually at the 3A state meet), sophomore Audra Palmer (10th at state), junior Taylor Palmer, seniors Camryn Bishoff, Eva Huff and Sally Corder. The Cougars also added Luma Voss, who competed as the No. 3 runner for Bishop Blanchet last fall.

Duplissey believes his girls have the ability to put five runners within the top-15 places at state, led by Herring and Audra Palmer.

“They’ll both be competing for the top 3-5,” Duplissey said.

Central Kitsap’s boys were ranked No. 2 in 3A in the preseason state poll, behind Seattle Prep. The Cougars, who placed seventh at state last year, return senior Blake Reynolds, junior Michael Vlach, sophomore David McClain and junior Gavin Brown.

Could Central Kitsap be in position to pull of a championship sweep in November? Duplissey said his boys should be in the mix.

“They’ve got a chance to win state, one of four teams,” he said.

The best chance to watch Central Kitsap race locally is Oct. 5 at Kitsap Golf and Country Club. The three-team meet with Gig Harbor and Yelm begins at 3:30 p.m.

After the high school season, the Cougars are planning to compete in a Nike regional meet in Boise. The toptwo teams and top-five individuals not attached to teams will qualify for Nike nationals in Portland.

Kingston’s boys, which began the season ranked eighth in 2A in the state coaches preseason poll, return senior

Lucas Lenz. He placed sixth at the 2A state meet last year. Bainbridge junior Mairin O’Brien placed 14th in the 3A girls race.

Another crown for Klahoywa girls soccer?

Klahowya girls soccer coach Troy Oelschlager netted his third state title with the Eagles last fall, securing the 1A crown with a 3-1 victory over Lynden Christian. Klahowya previously won titles in 1999 and 2014.

The team might not have to wait long for its opportunity to add championship No. 4.

With nine starters returning, the Eagles hope to do more celebrating in November. Klahowya has more than enough firepower offensively with Nisqually League MVP Amira Lyons and offensive player of the year Ali Divano leading the way. The team won its first two games, rallying from a 4-1 halftime deficit to knock off North Kitsap 5-4, then topping Bellevue Christian 4-2.

One game to watch this week: Thursday’s 5 p.m. home game against Montensano, which is a rematch of last year’s state semifinal (won by Klahowya 3-0).

Bremerton swim champ seeking

See FALL, Page 2B