November 19, 2025
ISSUE 47
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Cruisers Cap Strong Season at State Swim Meet
“Andrea and I are incredibly proud of our girls” brought their full roster and most of their families, turning the stands into a small Eatonville section as the girls posted some of their best swims of the year. Annika Howard set the tone early. Howard came away with a personal record in the 100 breaststroke during Friday’s prelims, touching in 1:16.11 to earn the 13th seed for finals. She looked calm behind the blocks on Saturday, then tore through the water for a season best 1:15.15. The time pushed her up to 11th in the state, a two place jump in 24 hours and nearly a full second off her prelims mark. Assistant coach Tira Hancock said Howard’s rise was the result of
steady work and a steady mindset. “Annika entered the state meet ranked 15th, surged to 13th in prelims, and delivered an incredible 11th place finish in the finals,” Hancock said. “She drew on every ounce of her mental and physical strength, dropping time week after week to peak when it mattered most. We are incredibly proud of Annika, her grit, her growth, and the powerful way she capped off an outstanding season.” Nicole Tomyn followed with two solid freestyle races. She came into the meet ranked 21st in the 50 free and lowered her best to 27.16 in prelims, finishing 20th. In the 100 free, she matched her No. 18 ranking with a 1:00.98 and ended the night as the second alternate for finals. Eatonville’s relays held their ground in deep fields. The 200 freestyle team of Forsman, Stumph, Howard, and Tomyn entered ranked 22nd and finished in the same spot with a 2:00.83. The 400 freestyle squad of Hays, Stumph, Tomyn, and Howard improved one position from its No. 20 seed, placing 19th in 4:28.50. For Hancock and Head Coach Andrea Stammen, the results were
satisfying, but the bigger story was the spirit the group brought to the deck. “As coaches, Andrea and I are incredibly proud of our girls and
the families who lifted them up every step of the way,” Hancock said. “Their hard work showed in every race, and their strong finishes at the state meet are proof of the
dedication they’ve put in all season.” The Cruisers left Federal Way without medals, but they left with something just as real: a season that ended at its absolute peak.
ANGIE TOMYN
E
a t o n v i l l e Hi g h S c h o o l made its presence known at the 2025 WIAA State Girls Swimming Championships, filling the King County Aquatic Center with loud cheers, nervous energy, and a whole lot of blue on November 14 and 15. The Cruisers
Eatonville High School's swim team posed for a photo prior to the start of the 2025 WIAA State Swim Championships. Team members and coaches from left to right: Head Coach Andrea Stammen, Riley Frey, Charlotte Stumph, Lily Hays, Clara Forsman, Amelia Palfernier, Grace King, Jaliah Vinson, Annika Howard, Nicole Tomyn, Assistant Coach Tira Hancock. The Eatonville High School swim team posed for a photo at the West Central District 3 championships this past Friday.
Discover Pass Fees Waived on 12 Days in 2026 Staff Report
MARK LEE
E
atonville residents who enjoy Washington’s public lands will have 12 opportunities next year to visit state-managed parks and recreation areas without paying for a Discover Pass. Washington’s land management agencies have announced the Discover Pass free days for 2026, which allow visitors to park without a pass at day-use areas managed by Washington State Parks, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. These designated dates are tied to cultural, historical and environmental observances and are intended to encourage people across the state to get outdoors. For a community like Eatonville, where forestlands and foothills sit just beyond town limits, the free days provide accessible opportunities for families, students and visitors to enjoy the region’s natural settings without cost. The first free day of 2026 arrives on January 1 in conjunction with Washington’s annual First Day Hikes. Later in the month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 19 provides another day of free access. In March, visitors may enter without a Discover Pass on March 9 in honor of Nisqually tribal leader and environmental advocate Billy Frank Jr., and again on March 19 to mark the 113th anniversary of Washington State Parks. Additional freeaccess dates include Earth Day on April 22, Free Fishing Weekend on June 6 and 7, Juneteenth on June 19, Smokey Bear’s
birthday on August 9, National Public Lands Day on September 26, World Mental Health Day on October 10 and Veterans Day on November 11. State officials note that the waiver applies only to day-use parking. SnoPark permits are still required at winter recreation sites, and other fees such as camping or facility reservations remain in effect. Washington State Parks was founded in 1913 and is older than the National Park Service. The agency manages 124 developed parks, 1,300 miles of trails, more than 6,000 campsites and over 2,700 facilities, including more than 800 historic buildings. Although State Parks oversees the smallest land base of the state’s three recreation agencies, its 120,000 acres receive the most
visitors. More than 40 million people visit each year, including 39 million day-use visitors and 2.3 million overnight guests. The agency also operates statewide programs for long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation, and plays a significant role in caring for Washington’s natural, cultural and historic resources. For Eatonville residents, the Discover Pass free days create opportunities to explore several nearby recreation areas. Pack Forest, located a few minutes from town, requires a Discover Pass for parking and offers a variety of low-elevation forest roads and trails suitable for walking and seasonal hiking. The Elbe Hills and Tahoma State Forests, managed by the Department of Natural Resources, provide additional routes for hiking and scenic multi-use exploration. Toward McKenna and Yelm, units of the Nisqually State Wildlife Area offer birdwatching, river access and habitat viewing that ordinarily require a Discover Pass. The 2026 free days may serve as a convenient opportunity to visit these locations without the usual parking requirement. Mount Rainier National Park remains one of the most significant outdoor destinations for Eatonville and the surrounding region.
Although the Discover Pass does not apply inside the national park, the National Park Service offers its own fee-free entrance days when standard entry fees are waived. The 2026 federal fee-free dates include Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the first day of National Park Week in April, Juneteenth, the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act on August 4, National Public Lands Day and Veterans Day. These federal dates may offer additional opportunities for local residents to visit the Nisqually Entrance or explore Longmire-area trails during periods of increased accessibility. For those who need access beyond the 12 free state days, an annual Discover Pass costs $45 (plus a $5 processing fee) and a day-use permit costs $10 (plus a $1.50 processing fee). The annual pass can be purchased online or added during vehicle tab renewal, providing a convenient option for residents who prefer to handle the purchase through the Department of Licensing. Day-use pass holders may also apply the cost of their day-use permit toward an annual Discover Pass by bringing it to any state park or to Washington State Parks headquarters. The expiration date of the annual pass is based on the date the original dayuse permit was purchased. This upgrade option is not available for day passes purchased through on-site fee envelopes. Free alternatives are also available. Volunteers who work with participating state agencies may qualify for an annual Discover Pass, and many public libraries participate in the Check Out Washington program, which allows cardholders to check out a Discover Pass just like a book for short-term use. With forests, rivers, and lakes surrounding Eatonville, the Discover Pass free days provide twelve opportunities next year for residents to step outdoors, revisit familiar locations or discover new ones. When combined with the federal fee-free days at national parks, 2026 offers a wide range of low-cost opportunities for experiencing the region’s natural beauty.