The roar of the crowd is still echoing through the halls of Sequim High School this week. It was a massive weekend for Wolves athletics as two programs made their mark on the state level.
The girls’ flag football team concluded a historic inaugural season with a deep playoff run, while the wrestling squad punched several tickets to the prestigious Mat Classic. This dual success has energized the entire Sequim community and set a new standard for winter sports.
A Season for the Record Books
The Sequim girls’ flag football team did not just play this year; they arrived. In their very first full season, the Wolves secured a co-Olympic League championship. This is a massive achievement for a program built from the ground up in just a few months.
They finished the season with an impressive 13-5 overall record. The team traveled to Ferndale on February 7 for a high-stakes 1A/2A state semifinal matchup against Squalicum. While the game ended in a 28-0 loss, the scoreline does not diminish the incredible journey required to get there.
Just one week prior, Sequim proved they belonged in the postseason conversation. They battled through the district tournament and secured a gritty 14-7 victory over Washington High School. That win locked in their spot in the state semifinals and validated the hard work of the entire roster.
Key Season Stats:
- Overall Record: 13-5
- Achievement: Co-Olympic League Champions
- Playoff Peak: State Semi-Finalist
- Key Win: 14-7 vs. Washington High School
Building a Legacy from Scratch
What makes this run even more remarkable is the starting point. Flag football is an emerging sport in Washington state, and many schools are just finding their footing.
Head coach Kathleen Rose highlighted the steep learning curve the team overcame. When the season began, very few players had any experience with the sport.
“We came a long way from starting with only having one girl ever playing flag football,” Rose explained.
She noted that during the short COVID season, exposure was limited. Most players did not know football rules or route trees when practice started. To go from learning the basics to competing in a state playoff game is a testament to the athletes’ dedication.
“The girls had a lot of fun this season,” Rose added. The joy and rapid improvement were evident every time they took the field.
Wrestlers Bound for Mat Classic
While the flag football team wrapped up their season, the Sequim wrestling team is gearing up for the biggest stage of all. Several Wolves grapplers have qualified for the Mat Classic, Washington’s premier state wrestling tournament held at the Tacoma Dome.
Qualifying for this event is no small feat. Wrestlers must survive grueling sub-regional and regional tournaments just to earn a spot in the brackets. The Mat Classic brings together the best athletes from every classification in the state under one roof.
For the Sequim wrestlers advancing, this weekend represents the culmination of months of sweat, weight management, and intense training. The atmosphere at the Tacoma Dome is known for being electric and incredibly loud, offering a true test of mental and physical toughness.
A Bright Future for Sequim Sports
The success of these programs points to a healthy athletic culture at Sequim High School. Athletic Director Ian Henley expressed immense pride in how the student-athletes handled themselves.
He emphasized that the flag football team gave the town something special to cheer for all season long.
“They represented our school and our town with pride,” Henley said.
With a strong core of talented players returning, the foundation is set. The experience gained from this deep playoff run will be invaluable for the flag football program moving forward.
“With so many talented players in this group, it’s exciting to think about what’s ahead,” Henley noted. “This is just the beginning, and the future is really bright for these young women and this program.”
As the wrestlers head to Tacoma and the flag football team celebrates a banner year, Sequim fans have plenty of reasons to be proud.
