May 21, 2025
ISSUE 21
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Eatonville’s Andersen, doubles team of Bickford & Meyer earn state tennis berths By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville Cruisers girls tennis team is sending two entries to the WIAA 1A State Tournament after a gutsy showing at the District III Tournament this past week, with senior Bailey Andersen in singles and the doubles team of seniors Lillian Bickford and Alayna Meyer each punching their tickets to state with third-place finishes. Andersen, the No. 2 seed from the South Puget Sound League (SPSL), bounced back from an early loss to string together three straight victories, including a revenge win over a top-seeded rival from Steilacoom. Her path to state began with a first-round bye but quickly turned uphill as she fell to North Kitsap’s No. 2 player, 5-7, 2-6. That loss sent her to the consolation bracket, where she faced elimination in every match that followed. She responded with poise and power. First, Andersen defeated Foss’s top player, 6-2, 6-4, to secure a spot in Saturday’s action. In the morning, she wasted no time against Sequim’s No. 1, rolling to a 6-1, 6-2 win to set up a high-stakes rematch with Steilacoom’s No. 1 seed. The two had battled in a grueling three-hour league championship the week prior, a match Andersen narrowly lost. This time, the result wasn’t close. Andersen dismantled the SPSL champion 6-1, 6-2 to clinch her berth to state. She was later awarded third place after her final opponent withdrew due to illness. Meanwhile, the doubles team of Bickford and Meyer, seeded fourth from the SPSL, carved out a dramatic run of their
COURTESY MELISSA BICKFORD
Eatonville High School's state tennis qualifiers pose with Head Coach Alex Christensen while at the district tournament. own. The duo opened the tournament with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 win over Kingston before falling to eventual district champions Bainbridge in the quarterfinals. That loss sent them into the consolation bracket, where their next challenge was bittersweet: a matchup with Eatonville’s own No. 2 team of Tia Schanbeck and Tierney Amaral. Amaral and Schanbeck had dropped their opening match to Olympic in two close sets (3-6, 5-7). Bickford and Meyer advanced past their teammates in a tight 6-4, 3-6, 10-5 contest, then carried that momentum
into Saturday. On the second day of the tournament, the Eatonville pair edged out North Mason’s No. 3 team, 6-3, 6-4, before grinding out a three-set win over North Mason’s No. 2 duo, 6-1, 3-6, 10-7. They clinched their state berth and third place overall with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Fife’s No. 2 team. Perhaps the most memorable moment of the tournament came late Saturday, when Andersen secured her trip to state less than a minute after Bickford and Meyer sealed theirs. From opposite sides of the tennis center, the Eatonville teammates
celebrated together—state-bound, united, and victorious. “I am just really proud of how all the girls played this week,” Head Coach Alex Christensen said. “This district is the home of so many great players and teams. We had to level up this week and we did.” The WIAA 2A Girls State Tennis Tournament will be held May 23-24 at the Nordstrom Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Washington in Seattle. With two entries heading to the biggest stage in high school tennis, the Cruisers are ready to keep proving they belong.
Eatonville qualifies 21 for track & field districts By Skip Smith Contributing Writer
The Eatonville Cruiser track and field team turned in a standout performance at the 2A SPSL League Championships on Wednesday at Mount Tahoma High School, with 21 athletes earning their place in the upcoming West Central District 3 meet. Competing against a
tough field of eight schools, the Eatonville boys placed fourth overall, while the girls finished sixth. The effort was highlighted by three league titles across four events, showcasing both individual dominance and team depth. Senior Ethan Carter took home the pole vault crown, soaring to a win and solidifying his spot as one of the top vaulters in the region. On the track, Kelani Monserrate stormed
to a league title in the 400 meters, outrunning the field with a commanding performance. Meanwhile, Taylor Johnson pulled double duty in the ambulatory events, capturing first place in both the shot put and discus. Johnson’s pair of titles added to Eatonville’s overall success and served as a proud moment for the pro-gram’s commitment to inclusivity and athletic excellence.
Beyond the champions, Eatonville's depth was on full display. A total of 21 athletes earned district qualifying marks, giving the Cruisers strong representation for the West Central District 3 Championships, scheduled for May 21–23 at Bremerton High School. The full list of district qualifiers includes: Riley Hill, Kelani Monserrate,
Hannah Bieker, Bridget Stumph, Rogue Pound, Lily Lightfoot, Jacob Simons, LaShawn Beaver, Oscar Diaz, Hailey Courson, Sienna Henkel, Kalli Olson, Adam Ames, Taylor Johnson, Jenae Roulst, Miley King, Ethan Carter, Mark Devera, Ava Tatro, Caelyn Schneider and Philip Buchholz. With district competition looming, Eatonville will
look to build on the momentum from league and continue its push toward state qualification. The Cruisers will now turn their focus to Bremerton, where they’ll face off against top qualifiers from across the region. With several league champions and a deep field of talent, Eatonville is poised to make another strong showing.