March 11, 2026
ISSUE 11
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Eatonville Chess Ski Season on Thin Ice Team Excels at State Tournament
Eatonville chess team members hold their favorite chess pieces following the State Tournament at Mariner High School. Left to right: Advisor Mat Burns, Foster Brinkman (9), Corey Dempsey (12), Titus Lowe (11), Gabe Stanley (11), Dominic Bennet-Warner (10), Carson Jones (11). By Peter Lowe
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he Eatonville High School chess team made their 4th straight trip to the State Chess Tournament this year, and the results were impressive. Among a field of 50 teams (the largest tournament in state history) they began the weekend ranked 42nd by average player rating. This seeding was similar to previous years and, in past years, outperforming their seeding has proved difficult. Last year, seeded 35th out of 48 teams, they finished 34th. This year, however, they brought experience with them. Titus Lowe, Dominic Bennet-Warner, Corey Dempsey, and Carson Jones were all on last year’s state team, and were joined by freshman Foster Brinkman. Over the course of the two-day 6 round tournament, playing against the top players from every size classification in the state (1B-4A), they amassed 15 wins and 3 draws in 30 games earning them 16.5 points. This topped their previous
state record of 15.5 set in 2024, and placed them 19th out of the 50 teams, 23 ranks higher than their seeding. This finish-rank difference was the best in the tournament. They finished 4th among the 10 teams in the 2A classification, missing a trophy by 1 point. Alternate Gabe Stanely, competing in the all-comers reserve tournament finished 16th out of 43. The team performance was led by sophomore Dominic BennetWarner on 2nd board who never lost a game, finishing with 2 draws and 4 wins in 6 games. Corey Dempsey who played 5th board on last year’s state team was moved up to 3rd board this year. Despite more difficult opponents he won 4 of his 6 games. Carson Jones (4th board) had 3 wins, Titus Lowe (1st board) had 2 wins and 1 draw, and Foster Brinkman earned the final 2 points that put the team score over the top. With only one team member graduating this year, the future continues to look bright for Eatonville Chess.
From the Office of Resilience and Climate Action and Solid Waste Divisions
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record warm winter is having severe impacts on this year’s snowpack and winter recreation. It will come as no surprise to Pierce County residents who enjoy snow sports that Washington’s 2026 mountain snowpack is significantly below average. At the end of January, statewide snow water equivalent (SWE), which is the amount of water stored in snowpack, was at just 59% of the median—marking the fourth‐lowest level on record—primarily driven by record warmth so far this winter. As a result, most Cascade basins report just 30–40% of typical snowpack for this time of year. For skiers and snowboarders, these conditions have translated into a disappointing season so far. Many resorts have struggled to open,
with some relying on isolated storm events or snowmaking. There is still hope for the winter season. Washington’s snow season typically reaches its peak from February into March. However, if warmer-than-average temperatures continue, it may be challenging for this year’s snowpack to fully recover. State climatologists say this winter is better understood as a warm snow drought than a simple lack of precipitation. Washington entered late January with record warmth even as statewide precipitation ran above normal, leaving snowpack at just 59% of median statewide, the fourth-lowest for this point in the season. While snowpack typically builds into February and March, it would now take much above normal late-season snowfall to climb back into a near-normal range by April. Locally, when ski resorts cannot operate at full capacity, it can
impact not only resort employees but also local small businesses, restaurants, lodging providers, and service workers who depend on winter tourism. The lack of a ski season hurts our winter economy by reducing overall spending in the area. This in turn lowers the amount of sales tax collected in Pierce County, impacting funding for essential services. Snowpack in the Cascade Mountains has decreased by about 25% between the middle of the 20th century and 2006, and these declines are projected to accelerate due to climate change. Models project about a 40-60% decrease in spring snowpack, on average, by the 2080s. Declines in snowpack will decrease water supply in the summer and will continue to impact winter outdoor recreation opportunities – having adverse effects on our communities, ecosystems, and agriculture.
Eatonville High School Winter Sports Honored in 2A SPSL All-League Awards By Skip Smith
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he 2A South Puget Sound League recently announced its All-League honors for the winter sports season, and Eatonville High School student-athletes earned significant recognition across wrestling and basketball. The Cruisers’ wrestling program stood out with multiple placements on the All-League teams, reflecting a strong season that carried over to impressive showings at the WIAA Mat Classic state championships in February. Leading the way was junior Ethan Rogers, who earned first-team honors. Rogers
captured the 2A SPSL league title before placing third at state, showcasing his dominance throughout the year. Sophomore Najalia “Nala” Baublits also secured first-team recognition on the girls’ side. She won the SPSL 2A league championship and finished fourth at Mat Classic, highlighting her emergence as one of the top wrestlers in the classification. Several other Eatonville wrestlers received All-League nods. Sophomore Jarrin Ragazzo earned honorable mention after placing seventh at state. On the girls’ team, sophomore Khloee Young was named to the second team, while junior Abigail Lay received honorable mention. Sophomore Makenzie Ball
earned second-team honors and placed sixth at the state tournament.
Eatonville’s wrestling success contributed to a competitive winter for the small-town program, with multiple athletes advancing deep into the postseason brackets at Mat Classic. Eatonville also had athletes recognized in boys’ basketball. Junior Jeremy Osborn Jr. received honorable mention all-league honors after serving as a key contributor for the Cruisers during the season. Senior Colton Herbrand also earned honorable mention recognition, closing out his final high school season with all-league honors. On the girls’ basketball side, Eatonville’s team was recognized with the league’s Sportsmanship Award, reflecting the
program’s commitment to respect and competitive integrity throughout the season. Junior Jordyn Green also received individual recognition for the Cruisers. Green was named second team all-league after a season in which she played a central role in Eatonville’s lineup. Eatonville High School continues to build competitive programs in the SPSL 2A. The winter honors underscore the dedication of the student-athletes and coaching staffs in wrestling and basketball. These recognitions come after a season where Eatonville wrestlers in particular made noise at the state level, with multiple top-eight finishes at Mat Classic. The league’s All-League teams and awards highlight the best performers from across the South Puget Sound 2A conference, which includes schools from the region competing in classifications aligned with WIAA standards. For the Cruisers, the accolades serve as motivation heading into the spring sports season, where track and field, baseball, softball, and girls tennis will take center stage.