Prep notebook: North Kitsap changing athletic directors, Vikings baseball secures top seed

North Kitsap School District is moving forward with the hiring of William Rodgers as new athletic director at both North Kitsap High School and Poulsbo Middle School.

North Kitsap High School Principal Megan Sawicki and Poulsbo Middle School Principal Josh Emmons sent out an email Tuesday to school families announcing the hiring of Rodgers, who currently works in campus security and as a coach (basketball/track and field) at Poulsbo Middle School. His previous employment includes leadership positions at the Boys and Girls Club of King County, the Ballard Boys and Girls Clubs and outreach manager for the Seattle SuperSonics.

“I am honored to be able to lead the athletic department at North Kitsap High School and Poulsbo Middle School," Rodgers said in the email. "The Vikings and Panthers have proud traditions of academic and athletic excellence. I hope to provide leadership for our amazing student athletes and talented coaches to allow them to achieve their goals.”

North Kitsap School District is in the process of transitioning its athletic director (athletic coordinator) roles ahead of the 2024-25 school year. Previously, the positions were essentially filled by teachers who oversaw high school and middle school athletics on special assignment. Now the positions will be administrative ones.

In light of the change, the school district opened the application process, at which time current athletic directors Anh Tran at North Kitsap and Ed Call at Kingston reapplied for the jobs. Call learned earlier this month that he'd remain as athletic director at Kingston High School and Kingston Middle School. Tran, who was in his first year serving as athletic director at North Kitsap High School and Poulsbo Middle School, was disappointed to learn last week he would not continue in those roles, which will ultimately go to Rodgers, pending school board approval.

"While this news brings a wave of sadness, I cannot help but reflect on the immense privilege it has been to serve the students, coaches, and community in this role," Tran noted in an email sent out to school staff last week.

Vikings earn baseball tiebreaker over Port Angeles

North Kitsap's baseball team earned a 5-2 win Tuesday after Port Angeles in a tiebreaker game to determine the Olympic League's No. 1 seed headed into the West Central/SeaKing Bi-District tournament, which begins May 7.

Dawsyn Anderson pitched 6 and 2/3 innings and Marcus Kim closed out the victory for North Kitsap (16-4, 13-2 in league). Port Angeles (16-5, 12-3) got two runners on in the seventh inning before Kim recorded the final out. Tate Stearns had two doubles, a walk, a run, an RBI and a stolen base to help lead the Vikings at the plate.

More: Defending champ North Kitsap hoping bats come around as softball playoffs approach

Gold Mountain hosts Central Kitsap golf tourney

Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton hosted the 5th annual Central Kitsap Invitational on Monday, opening up the Cascade and Olympic courses to golfers from 17 girls teams and 28 boys teams.

Bellevue shot a combined 376 to win the girls tournament, held on the Cascade Course. Bellevue's Tatum Otto shot 68 to earn medalist honors by two strokes. Central Kitsap's girls placed 14th with a score of 555. Mercer Island won the boys tournament, held on the Olympic Course, with a score of 373. Mercer Island's Elliott Hoang claimed medalist honors with a 68, winning by two shots. Central Kitsap's boys placed 21st with a score of 521.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Prep notebook: North Kitsap changing athletic directors, Vikings baseball secures top seed