Welcome back from spring break! We are getting close. The school year is winding down, spring sports are in full swing, and the finish line is in sight. This is the time of year when everything matters a little more. Every game. Every practice. Every rep.
Our athletes are balancing finals, projects, end-of-year stress, and the grind of their seasons. They are showing up, competing, and managing it all. That takes discipline, focus, and a level of commitment most people never see.
This week, we are celebrating golf. Both Peninsula and Gig Harbor have teams competing at a high level this spring, and the results speak for themselves.
We are also recognizing our spring sports academic awards. These athletes are not just competing on the field - they are excelling in the classroom. And that matters more than anything!
Finally, we are highlighting this week's Unsung Hero - someone who shows what it means to be part of a team, even when the path looks different than expected.
Time to dive in. ⛳
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Golf is not loud. There are no packed stadiums, no cheering crowds, no highlight reels going viral on social media. But golf demands something most sports do not: complete mental control.
Every shot matters. Every decision counts. You cannot rely on a teammate to bail you out. You cannot blame the ref or the weather or bad luck. It is just you, the course, and your ability to execute under pressure.
Golf rewards patience, discipline, and the ability to stay composed when things go wrong. Because in golf, things will go wrong. You will hit a bad shot. You will miss a putt. You will have a hole that does not go your way.
The question is: how do you respond?
Both Peninsula and Gig Harbor have golfers who are answering that question every single day this spring. They are competing at a high level, managing the mental grind, and representing their programs with class.
Time to celebrate what they are doing!
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GHHS Boys Golf Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Shane Henderson
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Assistant Coach: Chris Coovert
The Gig Harbor Tides boys golf team is currently undefeated and tied for first place in the Puget Sound League with Bellarmine! The two teams will face off in the final match of the season on April 30th, but the Tides have already proven they can compete with anyone.
At the Gamble Sands Invitational last month, Gig Harbor finished second behind Cheney and came out ahead of Bellarmine. And leading the way was Theo Snyder, a Yale commit who won the individual title at Gamble Sands by shooting an incredible nine-under 63. This is truly elite-level golf.
The Tides are also currently ranked first in the state based on scoring average by the WIAA. That ranking reflects consistency, depth, and the ability to perform when it matters.
Speaking of depth: Gig Harbor is blessed with an incredibly deep roster. All 19 players on the team are strong enough to play in at least one varsity match this season. That kind of depth is rare, and it gives the Tides a legitimate shot at challenging for the state title in May!
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GHHS Girls Golf Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Jeff Milbourne
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Assistant Coach: Ben Fortney
The Tides are ranked among the top teams in the state this spring, and they are proving why.
At the Gamble Sands Invitational, Gig Harbor took home the team win with a 295 (+7) finish. Sophomores Kaliya Ikei and Myla Louch both shot 72 (even par) to tie for first place individually. Freshman Layna Louch won longest drive on the 18th hole.
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The depth showed up too. Eight out of ten Tides girls golfers finished in the top 20:
- Kaliya Ikei & Myla Louch: 72
- Olivia Snyder: 75
- Sofía Skogen: 76
- Layna Louch & Mel Schuchart: 78
- Laila Douglas: 83
- Maya Rogers: 85
Seniors Izzie Rose and Olivia King competed strong and represented Gig Harbor well.
The Tides are focused on defending their league and district titles this spring. They have consistently finished in the top four at state in recent years, and this team has the talent to bring home another trophy in May.
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PHS Boys Golf Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Dennis Johnson
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Assistant Coach: Pete Pratz
The Peninsula boys golf team has 11 athletes this spring - five seniors, one junior, two sophomores, and two freshmen. The mix of experience and young talent has created a competitive group that continues to build throughout the season.
On April 23, the Seahawks defeated Central Kitsap 221 to 218 in a close match that came down to the final holes.
Peninsula is working to establish consistency and develop depth across the roster. With five seniors leading the way, the younger players are learning what it takes to compete at the varsity level.
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PHS Girls Golf Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Jose Santiago Cruz
After a couple years of only fielding 2-3 players, Peninsula girls golf is back with full rosters this spring. The growth is showing on the course and in the culture being built.
Senior Janelle Ramones is back for her third season after leading girls bowling through another successful winter. Junior Helena Mulchi is in her second season and her second year swinging a golf club. The work she put in during the off-season is paying off with a markedly improved season. Freshman Josie Waage-Bertsch has submitted the best score for the team in all matches this spring, and her game continues to improve as the days get longer. One of the players on the team is Aim P, an exchange student from Thailand whose father is an avid golfer. Being on the team has allowed her to meet new friends and learn skills she can take home to play rounds with her dad.
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But the numbers only tell part of the story. Coach Cruz has seen something building:
"I have two good memories so far this season. A varsity player asking if it would be ok for her to sit out a match so the JV players can get varsity playing experience. Absolutely ok with me and I appreciate selflessness and team mindset! And hearing the music, laughing, and story-telling on the bus ride home after an away match. You would have never known or felt that we lost that one! 'We will get them next time Coach!', said one player. I appreciate how each one just tries to lift up the other."
A parent shared this after watching a match: "I was so impressed with the kindness and encouragement I saw between the players. One of the older girls on the team walked alongside a less experienced player as they made their way down. It was awesome to see that kind of mentorship and positivity."
Coach Cruz sums it up: "We are getting better and we have the right foundation to keep us moving forward."
Peninsula girls golf is on the rise and we are here for it!
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Our spring athletes are not just competing on the field. They are excelling in the classroom. The WIAA recognizes teams that maintain strong GPAs throughout the season, and this spring, both Peninsula and Gig Harbor had multiple teams earn academic honors.
Here is what that looks like:
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Let's be clear about what this means. These athletes are practicing every day, competing multiple times a week, traveling to games, and managing the physical and mental grind of a spring sports season. And they are still showing up in the classroom, turning in assignments, studying for exams, and maintaining strong GPAs.
To every athlete who earned academic recognition this spring: this matters. Your work in the classroom is just as important as your performance on the field. Keep it up!
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We asked you to nominate someone in PSD athletics who does the work that nobody sees and we received a nomination that absolutely deserves recognition.
Kelyn Filbert is a team manager for the Peninsula fastpitch team. She is also a multi-sport varsity athlete who transferred to Peninsula from Gig Harbor this year.
During basketball season, Kelyn was injured. Or at least, that is what everyone thought at the time. It turned out to be a serious medical condition that meant playing sports was no longer an option, and instead, she had to undergo chemotherapy. For someone who has spent their life competing and being part of a team, that is a tough reality to face. But Kelyn did not walk away. Despite what she is dealing with, she shows up almost every day to support the Peninsula fastpitch team. She manages the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the program running. She supports the coaching staff. She is there for her teammates. She shows up.
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Her mom, Geneve, shared this:
"It's been a very tough transition for her not to be able to play sports anymore, but being around the team and feeling like she can help support them makes her feel a bit more 'normal.' She has always been a great teammate and loves sports so much."
Kelyn is navigating something so difficult and something so hard to imagine. She is dealing with the loss of something she loves. And she is still showing up for her team. THAT is what being an Unsung Hero looks like.
Kelyn, we see you. Your Peninsula fastpitch family sees you. Your Peninsula School District family sees you. And we are incredibly proud of you - not just for what you are doing for the team, but for how you are handling a situation that would be hard for anyone. You are tougher than you know. Thank you for showing us what resilience looks like.
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MONDAY, APRIL 27
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. North Thurston High School @ GHHS Tennis Courts
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ North Thurston High School
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 6:00 PM - vs. Silas High School @ GHHS Softball Diamond
🥍 PSD Riptides Lacrosse
- 6:30 PM - vs. Klahowya @ Roy Anderson
TUESDAY, APRIL 28
⛳ PHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - @ Gig Harbor High School (Gig Harbor Golf Club)
⛳ GHHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - vs. Peninsula High School @ Gig Harbor Golf Club
⛳ PHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - @ Gig Harbor High School (Madrona Links)
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 2:30 PM - vs. Peninsula High School @ Madrona Links
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ North Thurston High School
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
🏃 GHHS Coed Track & Field Varsity - Outdoor
- 3:30 PM - @ North Thurston High School (South Sound Stadium)
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ Gig Harbor High School (Sehmel Homestead Park Sehmel #1)
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - vs. Peninsula High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park Sehmel #1
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. Lakes High School @ PHS Roy Anderson Field
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Mount Tahoma High School
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - @ River Ridge High School
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Timberline High School @ GHHS Tennis Courts
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Lakes High School @ PHS Softball Field
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - vs. Capital High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park Sehmel #1
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:30 PM - @ Silas High School
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 6:00 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School
🤽 GHHS Girls Water Polo
- 6:15 PM - @ Rogers High School (Puyallup)
THURSDAY, APRIL 30
⛳ PHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 2:45 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
⛳ PHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Capital High School (Swarthout Field)
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. Central Kitsap High School @ Peninsula HS Roy Anderson Field
🥍 PSD Riptides Lacrosse
- 7:00 PM - @ Puyallup (Varsity)
FRIDAY, MAY 1
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ Curtis Senior High School (Baseball Complex)
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Puyallup High School (Heritage Park Recreation Center)
SATURDAY, MAY 2
🏀 PHS UNIFIED BASKETBALL - LEAGUE PLAY HOST
- 9:00 AM - Soaring Seahawks vs. Fife HS (1) @ Peninsula High School
- 9:00 AM - Firehawks vs. Fife HS (2) @ Peninsula High School
- 10:00 AM - Red Thumpers vs. White River HS @ Peninsula High School
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Consider this calendar our best game plan at the moment 🗓️.
That said, weather always has a vote 🌧️, and changes may occur.
While we do our best to be accurate, and this author really tries to get everything right, it's entirely possible mistakes happen, too.
For the most current updates, please check with your coach or building Athletic Director!
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We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net
Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net.
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