March 18, 2026
ISSUE 12
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EHS Student crowned 2026 Daffodil Queen
JEFF RITTER
MUSTANG BLAZE MEDIA
Record Breaking Run, Dudley Leads Cruisers to Big Weekend in Elma
Eatonville’s Macey Dudley rides her horse Shorty during the breakaway roping competition, racing to a first place finish with a district record breaking time of 2.596 seconds. Dudley’s blistering run highlighted a dominant performance for the Cruisers at the meet. By Skip Smith
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nnika Howard, a senior who takes classes at Eatonville High School and participates in Running Start through Walla Walla Community College, has been crowned the 2026 Daffodil Queen, becoming the first student in Eatonville High School history to earn the title.
Howard was first selected as Eatonville High School’s Daffodil Princess earlier this year, joining students from schools across Pierce County on the Daffodil Festival Royal Court. Each participating school names a princess, and from that group one student
DAFFODIL, 3
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he Eatonville Cruisers equestrian team continued its strong start to the season this past weekend at the Grays Harbor Fairgrounds, building on the momentum from its first meet with another impressive showing that produced numerous top finishes and a district record performance. After a strong showing at their opening meet a few weeks earlier, Eatonville riders returned to the arena with confidence and
delivered across a wide range of events. Cruisers competitors placed in the top three in multiple disciplines, including speed events, roping, dressage and driving. Several Eatonville riders captured first place finishes during the meet. Natalie Foster earned first place in driving, while Ava Weaver claimed the top spot in dressage. Ava Payne added a win in individual flags, and Macey Dudley took first place in figure eight. Team events were also a bright spot for Eatonville. The Canadian
flags team of Kaydence Hill, Olivia Benham, Ava Payne and Hadley Noble delivered a strong performance to take first place. Olivia Benham captured first in pole bending, while Kali Olson earned a win in steer daubing. Dudley also won breakaway roping with a district record breaking run with a blistering time of 2.596, one of the standout moments of the weekend for the Cruisers. Hadley Noble added another victory for Eatonville with a first place
EQUESTRIAN TEAM, 3
Cruisers Battle Bethel in Season Opener Under New Head Coach
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new era began for the Eatonville boys’ soccer program this past Friday night as the Cruisers opened the season against Bethel under first year head coach Mark Phillips. Despite a 4-0 loss to the Bisons, Phillips said he saw encouraging signs from his squad in the season opener. Eatonville trailed just 1-0 at halftime after a competitive first half in which the Cruisers showed composure and organization against their larger opponent. “The guys played one heck of a game,” Phillips said. “They played with poise and stayed calm and collected.” Bethel pulled away in the second half with three goals, including two highlight worthy finishes. One came on a well struck header off a corner kick, while another was blasted into the upper left corner from distance.
The other two goals came in more chaotic fashion. On one sequence, Eatonville’s goalkeeper appeared to have control of the ball before contact from a Bethel attacker caused it to pop loose, allowing an easy tap in. Even with the result, Phillips praised the effort and character his players showed throughout the match. “The level of character and integrity with this group is unmatched,” Phillips said. “That is all I can ask for.” Phillips takes over the Cruisers program with a deep background in the game. Born in Germany into a military family, he began playing soccer there and developed an early appreciation for the sport’s technical and team oriented style. He brings roughly 13 years of club coaching experience along with nine seasons of high school coaching. That includes five seasons as head coach of the Eatonville girls program and four seasons as an assistant
with the Cruiser boys team. Phillips also holds a U.S. Soccer National D Coaching License and has spent time officiating matches, which he said helped deepen his respect for the Laws of the Game and sportsmanship. “My coaching philosophy centers on developing young people not only as players,
but as individuals of integrity, character, and accountability, on and off the pitch,” Phillips said. Eatonville will look to build on the positives from the opener as the Cruisers continue their early season schedule in hopes of handing Phillips his first victory.
HEATHER QUIRIE
By Skip Smith
Eatonville players listen as head coach Mark Phillips delivers last minute instructions during a rain soaked pregame huddle at Art Crate Field before the season opener against the Bethel Bisons. The Eatonville Cruisers fell 4-0 in the nonleague matchup.