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District and Seamount League realign middle school sports seasons; flag football under consideration
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Kevin Ruprecht and Athletic Director Ryan Taylor outlined Seamount League season realignment that moves several sports between fall and spring, noted facilities and official availability as factors, and said participation is on track with earlier years.
Assistant Superintendent Kevin Ruprecht and District Athletic Director Ryan Taylor briefed the board on middle school athletics and a Seamount Middle School League decision to realign seasons. Ruprecht and Taylor said the league considered student participation, facility management, field use, adjacent league schedules and official availability when changing sport seasons (notably moving baseball, fast‑pitch, track and tennis to fall and placing cross country, football and volleyball in spring).
Taylor said the change can free officials to work middle school games and might allow high school coaches to support middle school teams. The district is also exploring adding girls flag football, a sport recently sanctioned by the Washington Interscholastic Athletic Administrators, in coordination with league and high school partners.
Taylor noted logistical adjustments: some middle school soccer games will use Harry Lane for evening lighting; Clover Park High School softball field is being used for middle school fast‑pitch practices and games; Lakes High School will host the Seamount League track meet. The district executed a FinalForms contract for online registration and clearance, which Taylor said improves attendance tracking and provides real‑time participation snapshots.
The district reported participation for 2526 is on pace to match previous years but cautioned numbers may fluctuate because of season shifts (for example, baseball and fast‑pitch now in the same season) and staggered completion of online registrations. Board members asked how Harrison Prep students participate (answer: middle schoolers may participate at their resident neighborhood school or Lockburn Middle School; high school athletes must participate at their resident high school per WIAA rules) and raised questions about Lockburn field conditions; staff said facilities management is reviewing field access and safety.
No board action was taken; staff said they will continue to monitor participation and facilities issues.
