Friday Harbor High kicks off fall sports season with energy and high expectation

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, September 24, 2025

By Declan O’Malley

Journal contributor

School is back in session at Friday Harbor High School, and with the new year comes a fresh fall sports season. The Wolverines have hit the trail, court and field running as the 2025 campaign gets underway.

Football

After a postseason appearance last year, the Wolverines are eager to begin a new season with 25 student-athletes on a young roster that features only three seniors, following the graduation of 15 players.

“We have good size and speed at the line and should be able to move the ball effectively with our playmakers,” head coach Shawn Kleine said.

Quarterback duties will fall to Jackson Feliz, while Duncan Bogart and Channing Kleine are expected to contribute heavily at running back and wide receiver. Jax Martinez will anchor the offensive line at center, while Finn Levasheff and Boaz Moses will lead the defensive line.

“Most of our linebacking corps graduated last year, so a lot of positions were up for grabs, but we have plenty of guys ready to step up,” Kleine said.

With Coupeville as their only league opponent, the Wolverines’ schedule once again features primarily larger 1A schools, a challenge the players are eager to embrace.

Volleyball

Friday Harbor volleyball looks to rebound from a tough season that included just one win. The team already notched a sweep against Concrete on Sept. 8, a positive sign for the year ahead.

“The heart of our goals this season is making sure everyone has a great time and a positive experience throughout,” head coach William Blackmon said. “We want each player to grow in their skills and take away valuable lessons that will help them both on and off the court. Alongside that, we’re focused on improving our team communication, pushing each other in practice, staying consistent in games, and competing at a higher level than last year. Our ultimate goal is to build strong team chemistry and make a solid run in the postseason.”

According to Blackmon, the team has no seniors this season but features 17 players on the roster. He described the group as strong, with a solid mix of returning athletes and new talent. Each player contributes something valuable to the court—whether it’s leadership, energy, or determination to improve—creating a well-rounded team. Blackmon added that everyone plays an important role in building chemistry and driving the group toward its goals.

The schedule includes matchups against Lopez on Sept. 11 and Coupeville on Sept. 16, with games against Mount Vernon Christian, La Conner, Orcas Island, Concrete and Sultan rounding out the fall.

Cross Country

Friday Harbor’s cross country program has grown rapidly, from nine runners in its inaugural season two years ago to 27 this fall. Nine seniors are expected to play key roles, including boys’ standouts Neil Gresseth, Ashley Hamlin, Mamadou Hoskins, Harrison Edge and Grayson Matthews. On the girls’ side, senior leaders include Liz Hough, Rose Jensen, Rylee Drew and newcomer Chelsi Pitman.

“There are several new kids who are learning all about cross country and its nuances,” head coach Al Turnbow said. “We now have depth, and we’re working on our runners’ mentality.”

The Wolverines will host one meet this year on Oct. 8, with the location to be announced.

Boys’ Tennis

The boys’ tennis team features nine athletes, including one returning senior and several newcomers. Head coach Kyle Loring praised the group’s camaraderie and commitment.

“Our strengths include our camaraderie and desire to improve,” Loring said. “We’re light on experience, particularly match experience, but the guys are fearless and eager to learn.”

Friday Harbor will face a challenging schedule against larger, out-of-league opponents due to the limited number of schools its size fielding boys’ tennis programs.

Girls’ Soccer

The girls’ soccer team enters the fall with a roster of 31 players and a senior class led by Georgia VanderYacht, Charley Lawrence-Sampson, Norah Leighton and Stella Carli.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the turnout,” head coach Bryan Leighton said. “It’s always fun getting to know new players and watching how they’ll fit into the team.”

The Wolverines boast a talented midfield led by Norah Leighton and Atziry Orozco, last year’s league MVP runner-up. Rising players include junior midfielder Nikky Clark Cole and sophomore Hazel Leighton, both of whom have impressed in preseason.

Mount Vernon Christian is considered the team to beat after finishing second at state last year, but Friday Harbor believes it has the talent and buy-in to challenge for the league title.

Boys’ Soccer

The boys’ soccer team, led by head coach Mike Horn, opened the season Sept. 9 with a dominant 8-0 victory over Coupeville. The Wolverines finished 7-6 last year before falling in the postseason to Lopez Island, the eventual state runner-up.

Horn said the team enters the season with 20 players, including just one senior. He noted that it is a younger squad, made up of five juniors, 10 sophomores and four freshmen.

“Our group has lofty goals this season,” Horn said. “We’d love to be playing soccer on championship weekend, Nov. 21-22, but that’s not our determining factor for a successful season. Our focus is on continued improvement—working hard together to be the best players and people we can be as we represent our school and community. Friday Harbor High School soccer has a strong history, and we’re looking forward to growing that legacy.”

Cheer

The Wolverine cheer program includes 11 athletes this fall, led by three senior captains. Head coach Ida Rude said the team has shown remarkable growth in a short time.

“I’m so impressed with how quickly the team has picked things up—cheers, dances, stunts, and the overall flow of football games,” Rude said. “They’re doing amazing.”

The team practices daily and benefits from the addition of volunteer assistant coach Jenni Staudt, who brings years of experience with the FHAA Tigers program. Rude said Staudt has been an invaluable asset while balancing coaching with caring for her young child.