FINALLY, A NORTH Olympic Peninsula prep team is ranked.

No, it’s not yet Sequim football, although the Wolves’ 4-0 start to the regular season, including a 2-0 record in Olympic League 2A Division play, is an inviting choice for Associated Press poll voters looking for that final Class 2A team to slot in at No. 10.

We will see if any other AP poll voters are beginning to show Sequim some love when the Week 5 poll is released later this week.

After an impressive run of form that includes winning their own Salt Creek Invitational and coming in a close second to a solid Klahowya team last week, the Port Angeles girls cross country team is checking in at first place in the Washington State Cross Country Coaches Association (WSCCCA) Class 2A girls poll for the week of Sept. 24.

Voting for the cross country polls is compiled by WSCCCA vice president Phil English with input from advisory board members and meet directors.

Rankings are available at www.watfxc.com.

Depth is present on the Port Angeles roster and its been a prime factor in early season successes.

At Salt Creek the Riders’ top five girls runners had a spread of just 3 minutes, 20 seconds between first-place finisher Lauren Larson (18.36.22) and the team’s fifth-best finisher, Jenna McGoff (21.56.69).

Port Angeles fell to Class 1A No. 7 Klahowya last week by six points, but the Riders’ team spread improved to 3:13.

Developing that depth and continuing to cut that team spread time will go a long way toward competing for a team entry at the Class 2A state cross country championships.

Basketball referees wanted

The North Olympic Basketball Officials Association is currently recruiting new members to help officiate the upcoming 2018-2019 middle and high school boys and girls basketball seasons.

The association covers all nine school districts across the north Olympic Peninsula, including Sequim, Port Angeles and Jefferson County schools.

A full training program is offered with an emphasis on teamwork and camaraderie and referees are paid a fee for officiating games.

Those interested should call Brian Edmiston at 360-670-7273.

Slip-sliding Sequim’s way

It’s arguably the worst playing surface on the North Olympic Peninsula. And with all other Olympic League 2A Division football team’s playing their home games on artificial turf (minus Port Angeles at Civic Field), Sequim’s patchy, rolling field has become a secret weapon.

Especially in three straight Friday night home wins in rainy weather.

The wet turf wasn’t as noticeable in the Wolves’ 20-0 win over North Mason last Friday, but the Bulldogs’ head coach Frank Hepler Jr. told the Kitsap Sun his team struggled to find foot its footing.

“Watching film, we had guys slipping all over the place,” Hepler said.

This is the same observation North Kitsap’s coaching staff made after Sequim’s 16-14 win.

Sequim scored a touchdown in that game when a Vikings’ safety slipped in the endzone while trying to defend a pass. And North Kitsap slipped on numerous occaisions while going back to pass, including on the final play of the game.

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Sports reporter Michael Carman can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or mcarman@peninsuladailynews.com.

The field will have two weeks off before Port Angeles comes to town for the Rainshadow Rumble rivalry game, the Wolves’ home finale, on Friday, Oct. 12.