5 BOWLERS TO WATCH
Natalie Burres, sr., North Thurston
Danielle Ewart, jr., Shelton
Mishawn Ewart, sr., Shelton
Nicole Hayes, sr., Black Hills
Kelsi Mayther, sr., Timberline
OUTLOOK: That 182-pin average in girls bowling is very popular in the South Sound. Danielle Ewart (Narrows 4A) and Kelsi Mayther (Narrows 3A) lead their respective leagues. And both standouts have big games already – Mayther a 238, and Ewart a 233. … Very few schools have enjoyed the success Shelton High has since the WIAA made girls bowling a sanctioned sport in 2001. The Highclimbers have three top-three state finishes, including a Class 3A-2A title in 2007. They were fourth last season. … Timberline recorded sixth-place state finishes in 2010 and 2011, and is thinking higher this season. … Despite a perfect 11-0 Evergreen Conference mark last season, Black Hills failed to advance out of the District IV tournament. Nicole Hayes has had the league’s second-highest average the past two seasons, including at 178 a year ago. … North Thurston is intriguing with Natalie Burres and Mallory Dobbs, another senior. Each had better than a 160 average last season. … With EvCo player of the year Leea Haworth graduated, Tumwater might struggle to stay up with the contenders.
4 GYMNASTS TO WATCH
Andrea Clarke, all-around, sr., Olympia
Jessica Buchholz, all-around, sr., Capital
Josie Finch, all-around, soph., Timberline
Brielle Rasmussen, all-around, jr., River Ridge
OUTLOOK: The combined Timberline/River Ridge/North Thurston team begins is fifth year under coach Shannon Brigham, and there’s lots of optimism. The team splits off as individual teams for postseason competition. Timberline finished second behind Capital by two points at the sub-district meet, led by Josie Fitch, who was one of two Blazers to advance to state. Timberline was only .08 points away from qualifying for state as a team, but Brigham feels this year’s team can get there. Fitch, and River Ridge’s Brielle Rasmussen and North Thurston’s Tani Sullivan, all went to state last year. Capital has a lot of new gymnasts to the team and to the sport, but have veterans seniors Jessica Buchholz and junior Hannah Armitage. Buchholz was tied for 45th in the all-around a state last year. “I expect us to have a very competitive season,” said Capital coach Karen McQuiston, who is in her 16th year. … Olympia qualified two gymnasts – Andrea Clarke and Mackenzie Andrews – to state last year, each competing in three events.
