Victorious Vikings | Volleyball, soccer and cross-country continue to advance in play-offs

It’s been a banner season across the board for the Orcas Vikings.

The Lady Vikings volleyball team has brought home the title of district champs, a feat that has only happened in 1992 and 2004.

“This team is an amazing team,” said head coach Rachel Wilson. “When they are on together, they are a top team in the state for this level. It’s an exciting time for them!”

On Friday, Oct. 28, the team beat Concrete in 3. Wilson said Concrete is “always a scrappy team and we never quite know what we will get in return or where they will place the ball. They help keep us on our toes for the unexpected.”

The following day, the Vikings took on Darrington, beating them in 5. The first game was a nail-biter.

“Darrington always gives us high competition and helps us push our maturity and composure by playing consistently and aggressively,” Wilson said.

The team then moved on to the district championship game against Mount Vernon Christian. Wilson said the girls came out ready and together with a belief in their ability and their teammates.

“They played consistent with fire and unity,” she said. “When these girls play their game with passion, control and unity, they are a very difficult team to beat.”

The Vikings swept MVC in three, earning them the title of district champs.

“The girls have earned this win, and our one senior, Shaye Spinner, has seen and been part of the process from when I first came in and began coaching,” Wilson shared. “All the players have dedicated so much to their teammates and it makes me so proud and happy for them to feel these accomplishments together.”

On Nov. 1, Evergreen Lutheran and Darrington are headed to Orcas, where they will play each other. The winner of that game will take on the Vikings, who are currently seeded number two in the tri-districts.

The high school cross-country team has qualified for the state championships.

The Vikings traveled to Fort Steilacoom Park near Tacoma on Thursday, Oct. 27 to compete in the tri-district championship meet. The top 21 finishers in both the girls’ and boys’ race qualified for the Washington State Cross Country Championships in Pasco on Nov. 5.

In the girls’ race, August Moore placed 10th to qualify for the state meet, while Ryan Krisch-Derr, Evan Kulper and Finn Ontjes finished 13th, 17th, and 18th, respectively, in the boys’ race to advance as well.

According to coach Mike Kulper, OIHS has only had one other runner, Ryan’s older brother Jaydon, qualify for the state meet. Jaydon accomplished the feat in 2018 and 2019. August is the school’s first girl to advance to the state meet.

The Orcas soccer team is now the 2022 Northwest 1B/2B League champions.

After a full week of games, the Vikings were able to finish up the year with a record of 13-1 and a league record of 8-0.

The team had three games last week: one at Cedar Park and then hosting both Coupeville and La Conner. None of these games were close, with the Vikings winning by a combined score of 21-2.

The week was headlined by the Vikings’ senior game against Coupeville. The following seniors were honored: Tommy Anderson-Cleveland, Celia Groeninger, Pedro Guerro, Diego Lago, Nicholas Rivera and Paxton White.

The soccer team is one of the most decorated groups in school history, with three league championships, a district title, a state championship victory, two co-MVPs and a multitude of all-league nominations.

The Vikings start their playoff campaign on Nov. 1 in Sedro-Wooley versus Auburn Adventist.

Jefferson Freeman contributed to this story.