By Declan O’Malley

Sounder contributor

Orcas Island High School opened its 2025 baseball season with two challenging losses against Class A schools, as OIHS competes in the 2B classification. On March 18, the Vikings lost 17-0 to Granite Falls and 18-0 to Blaine High Schools, both on the road.

“We have started the season with a very tough schedule. Two of the teams we’ve already faced are from much larger schools, in higher divisions, and have very good programs,” said head coach Eli Sanders.

OIHS returned home to face Crosspoint Christian High School on Saturday, March 22, but lost 10-0.

“The team we face today, Crosspoint, is always competitive and usually participates in the state tournament every year. So, we definitely didn’t pick a fluffy schedule to start the year,” Sanders said. “With that being said, this very young team, with very little varsity experience, has shown amazing grit, team camaraderie, and a positive outlook on what they are going to do to get better.”

The softball team kicked off its season with a series of games beginning on March 8, including a string of scrimmages. On March 13, the Vikings faced the 2A Anacortes squad, losing 21-1. This was followed by a 27-4 loss to Blaine, a 1A school.

However, the Vikings returned home on March 22 to host Quilcene High School for a doubleheader. OIHS came out on top in both games, winning 13-11 in the first game and 11-8 in the second.

OIHS golf opened its season with a home match featuring OIHS, Cedar Park Christian and Evangel. According to coach Ryan Kennedy, Josh Spinner shot a one-under 34 for the low boys’ score. Chloe Anderson-Cleveland posted a season-low 46 to lead the girls, with Lili Malo close behind at 48. Vera Sasan and Katie Spinogatti both shot 51, and Jazlynn Lideros-Beach shot a 69. Tim Malo also recorded a season-low 41 for second in the boys’ group. Knox Key shot 45, Kenneth Farani and Otto Sprenger both posted 46, Jacob Wright shot 49, Hayes Richardson and Hans Sprenger both shot 51 and Levi Ashcraft finished with a 57.

The boys took nine of the top 10 scores, with Adam Crowell from Evangel finishing ninth with a 54. The girls took five of the top seven, with Ava Giddings from Evangel at 63 and Aliyah Cameron from CPC at 68.

“It was a fun day, and the kids all played well and had a good time,” said Kennedy.

OIHS began its track and field season with two meets last week, including a meet at La Conner on March 13.

At the La Conner meet, the Orcas boys finished in sixth place with 63 points, and the girls placed ninth with 23 points. Elijah Griffith finished fourth in the 800 meters with a time of 2:20.48, and Forrest Frausto placed second in the 110-meter hurdles. The boys also finished third in the 4×100 relay.

For the girls, Margo Winter-Lamphere finished in the 100-meter dash, and the girls’ 4×100 relay earned a fourth-place finish.