SEQUIM — Several Sequim High School teams will see changes in leadership in the coming 2016-2017 school year.
SHS athletic director Dave Ditlefsen said the school will be interviewing soon after school is back in session Wednesday, Aug. 31 for two open positions: girls basketball and fastpitch.
Justine Wagner headed up the girls basketball squad for the 2015-2016 season, compiling a 6-13 overall record, 2-10 in Olympic league play. Wagner also coaches the Wolves boys tennis team in the fall and the girls tennis team in the spring.
Turnout for both boys and girls basketball teams begins Wednesday, Nov. 16, with the season starting Dec. 7.
The school also is seeking a new fastpitch coach after head coach Mike McFarlen stepped down.
“[During the season] I miss a lot of work,” McFarlen said.
“It seemed like the right time.”
McFarlen took over the team in 2012 and led the Wolves to five consecutive Class 2A state berths.
“[I’ll miss] their competitive nature,” he said. “They always seemed to step it up in the playoffs.”
Under McFarlen, Sequim softball was 99-30 overall, with a 61-10 record in the Olympic League and 23-17 in the postseason.
“We had a good run,” he said.
In the fall, Derek VanderVelde — a special education teacher at the school — takes over the head coaching spot for the varsity girls soccer team.
First-year coach Brittany Murdach led the Wolves last fall, with the squad finishing 3-11-1 overall and 1-10 in league play.
Longtime Wolves cross country head coach Harold Huff is taking a one-year leave.
Assistant Michael Cobb takes over the boys and girls squads for 2016, with Debbie Crane as assistant.
Huff led Sequim’s running crew to undefeated league seasons in 2015, as Sequim’s boys placed third and girls 12th at the Class 2A state meet.
