Buckle up, because this week's Playbook is PACKED! We are celebrating our cross-country athletes who just conquered the state championships in Pasco, including a 4th-place individual finish that has us all buzzing. We are celebrating our SALC students who led the way at yesterday's Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summit and showed everyone what true leadership looks like. We are hyping up our lady swimmers, boys water polo, volleyball, and girls soccer teams competing in state playoffs THIS WEEKEND! We are officially launching winter sports on Monday (yes, MONDAY!). We are recruiting middle school girls basketball coaches because these athletes need more great mentors. And we are reminding middle school parents about our advisory council meeting because your voice matters.

Told you it was packed. Let's dive in!

Last Saturday at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco, our cross country programs proved they belong among Washington's elite.

The Tides girls put together one of the best performances in program history, finishing 4th in the entire state. Led by senior Lejla Carlsson, who crossed the finish line in 4th place overall, this team showed composure, grit, and championship-level racing.

Think about that, Lejla finished 4th out of every 3A girl in Washington state! That is not just impressive, it is exceptional. She has been a force all season, and she saved her best performance for the biggest stage.

This team is special. They raced smart, supported each other, and left everything on the course. A 4th place state finish is something this community should be incredibly proud of.

The Tides boys also cracked the top 10, finishing 6th in state with a stellar team performance. This group has been ranked in the top 10 all season, and they proved they belong there when it mattered most.

To finish 6th in a state as competitive as Washington is no small feat. These athletes represented Gig Harbor with pride and proved they can compete with anyone.

The Peninsula boys earned their spot at state and competed against the best in Washington. Making it to state is an accomplishment in itself; only the top teams and individuals get there, and this group proved they belong.

This is an incredibly young team, four sophomores and a freshman in the top seven. The future is bright for Peninsula cross country, and these athletes gained invaluable experience competing at the highest level.

The Peninsula girls also earned their spot at the state championships and competed against Washington's best. Qualifying for state is an achievement that only a select group of athletes reach each year, and these girls represented Peninsula with pride and determination.

Thank you so much to our coaches & student-athletes! Making it to state is something to celebrate!!!

Yesterday, 18 incredible student-athletes from Peninsula and Gig Harbor High Schools attended the Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summit at Silas High School. These students are part of our Student-Athlete Leadership Council (SALC), and they represented Peninsula School District with pride, maturity, and leadership.

The summit brought together student-athletes from across the league to discuss what sportsmanship looks like not just in competition, but in how we treat opponents, officials, coaches, and each other. Our students did not just participate, they led. Time and again, our SALC members stepped up to speak for their groups, share their perspectives, and lead meaningful conversations with students from other schools. We were also honored to have our Superintendent, Krestin Bahr, in attendance. Superintendent Bahr spoke to the student-athletes, reinforcing the importance of leadership and sportsmanship in building strong communities!

To the 18 students who attended: thank you for being leaders. Thank you for showing what Peninsula School District is all about. You made us proud, and you are making a difference in how student-athletes across the Puget Sound League think about competition, respect, and community.

This is why we do what we do.

Our water polo programs wrapped up incredible regular seasons, and the all-league honors reflect just how talented these athletes are.

The Seahawks dominated their division, finishing 1st in their league with an impressive 11-1 record! This team was unstoppable all season, and the accolades prove it.

And a HUGE congratulations to Head Coach Ben Douglas, who was named Division 2 Coach of the Year! Coach Douglas built a championship culture, and this recognition is well-deserved.

The Tides finished tied for 3rd in their league and had several athletes earn all-league recognition for their outstanding play.

The Tides are still alive in the state tournament! After defeating Kennedy Catholic in overtime, Gig Harbor takes on Roosevelt tonight. This is tough, physical competition at the highest level. Let's go, Tides!

Our lady swimmers and divers are competing at the state championships RIGHT NOW! These athletes have trained all season for this moment. Early mornings, relentless work in the pool, and a commitment to excellence. We will have full results and highlights in next week's Playbook. Good luck to all our state qualifiers!

The Seahawks are fighting to advance deeper into the playoffs. This is a crucial matchup! Win tonight and they move on to play tomorrow at 1:00 PM! Win that and they move one step closer to the state tournament (November 21-22). Roosevelt is tough, but our girls have proven all season they can compete with anyone. Let's go Seahawks!!!

The Tides earned the #1 SEED and get to host at home! Tonight's theme is Ski Out! Win tonight and they play again tomorrow at Roy Anderson Field! Win that and they are heading to the next round of state tournament. Let's make sure Roy Anderson is PACKED tonight!

The Tides are one step away from earning a berth to the state tournament on November 21-22. This is a huge moment for the program. Let's fill the gym!

Fall sports are wrapping up, but winter is just getting started! Official practice for most winter sports begins Monday, November 17, and we are excited to see our gyms, pools, and wrestling rooms come alive with competition.

Girls Bowling - Season already underway! Our bowlers are competing and representing PSD with pride.

Cheer - Competition season is here! Our cheer teams are working hard and getting ready to showcase their routines.

Boys & Girls Basketball - The sound of squeaking sneakers and bouncing balls returns Monday. Let's pack the gyms this winter!

Dance - H2Whoa is ready to bring energy, creativity, and precision to every performance.

Winter Guard - Often called "the sport of the arts," winter guard combines dance, choreography, and equipment work (flags, rifles, sabres) into competitive theatrical performances.

Boys Swim & Dive - The pool is ready, and our swimmers are prepared to make a splash.

Boys & Girls Wrestling - One of the toughest sports out there. Our wrestlers are ready to battle.

Girls Flag Football - A newer addition to PSD athletics, and our girls are excited to compete!

If you are planning to participate in a winter sport, make sure you are fully cleared in FinalForms before Monday. That means:

No clearance = no practice. Get it done this weekend!

Make sure your FinalForms account shows all required trainings complete. Your athletes are counting on you to be ready to go on Monday!

We would love to see more middle school parents get involved! This is your chance to share feedback, ask questions, and help shape the future of middle school athletics and activities in Peninsula School District.

Whether your student is currently competing or you're just curious about what middle school sports look like in PSD, we want you at the table. Your voice matters, and we're committed to building programs that serve our students well.

Can't make it in person? Contact your building athletic director to share your thoughts or learn about future meeting opportunities.

⚠️ Reminder: Playoff matchups and times may change based on results and tournament brackets. Stay connected with your coaches and team communications for the latest updates!