It feels like we were just ringing in the New Year, and somehow, we are three whole months into 2026. Time flies when you are watching incredible athletes compete, and this spring season has been no exception.
This week, we are shining the spotlight on Gig Harbor High School’s Dance Team, H2Whoa. These athletes train year-round, compete at the highest levels, and somehow make incredibly difficult routines look effortless. If you have only seen them on the sidelines or at halftime, just know—you are only getting part of the story. These are competitors, and they are chasing a state championship.
We are also celebrating a big one: SALC (Student-Athlete Leadership Council) just hit one year since it was created! What started as an idea has turned into a district-wide movement led by student-athletes who are actively shaping the culture of PSD athletics (no big deal 💁♀️). That said… we are graduating ten seniors this year, which means it is time to build the next wave of leaders. If you are a student-athlete who wants to make an impact, this is your moment.
Let's gooooo! 🚀 |
"These days, everyone can be a performer," says Head Coach Tifny Eicher. "Just check out TikTok for examples. But what you see there is very different from the reality of being a dancer."
Did you know that dance is actually a competitive sport?
You may have seen the Gig Harbor High School Dance Team, known as H2Whoa, on the sidelines supporting other athletes or performing at halftime of various sporting events. But make no mistake: they are very much athletes in their own right.
"Their 'game face' might include false eyelashes and lipstick," Coach Tifny explains, "but they are tough as nails while they smile through their physically demanding sport and make it look easy." |
H2Whoa began as a Senior Passion Project back in 2001. Founded by Alicia Taylor, who became a professional dancer herself, the program has deep roots. Alicia still tours the globe with the performing group The Cherry Bombs, and her legacy lives on at Gig Harbor High School.
"H2Whoa continues to define excellence all these years later through talent, discipline, and an unwavering team culture built on years of dedication," says Coach Tifny. "Many of the athletes have been dancing from a very young age, bringing deep technical foundations and a shared passion to every performance."
Leadership That Knows the Game The team is led by Tifny Eicher in her fourth season as head coach. Coach Tifny is a former professional dancer with the Seattle Seahawks, and she brings elite experience and a deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Supporting her is assistant coach Cailyn Smith, a four-year alumni of the H2Whoa program who now teaches dance at several studios in the South Sound. "The program blends elite experience with strong mentorship and plenty of student support," Coach Tifny notes.
The Hype Squad: Student Leaders Who Set the Standard Every great team has great leaders, and H2Whoa is no exception. The team's student leaders, known as the Hype Squad, are composed of: - Senior Britta Nelson
- Junior Gemma Parnell
- Sophomores Maddie Ghent and Paige Wagner
"These four keep the team on their toes, figuratively and literally, throughout the season," says Coach Tifny. |
There are various competitive categories in the Washington State dance world. H2Whoa competes in Hip Hop, Jazz, and Pom.
After earning second place in the Pom category at State for the past two years, the team is more motivated than ever in its third season competing in the category. Currently ranked as the highest-scoring 3A Pom team in the state, the Tides Dancers have their sights firmly set on the top podium spot this season.
With Districts rescheduled for March 21st and State on March 28th, the message from the team is clear: "This year, the title is ours to claim!" |
If you want to see what these athletes can do, mark your calendar for the annual "Whoa Show" on Friday, April 3rd.
The team will showcase all their performance routines as well as their competitive routines, with features from other local dancers and performances. This is your chance to see the full scope of what H2Whoa brings to the table.
Tickets: Available on GoFan Follow the team: Instagram @ghhs_h2whoa |
Dance is a sport. These athletes train year-round. They condition. They compete. They push their bodies to the limit while making it look effortless.
The next time you see H2Whoa on the sidelines or at halftime, remember: you are watching competitors. Athletes who are chasing a state championship and building a legacy that has been 25 years in the making.
Good luck at Districts and State, H2Whoa. Bring home that title!!! |
One year ago, something new began in Peninsula School District athletics: SALC (Student-Athlete Leadership Council).
What started as an idea has grown into a district-wide movement led by student-athletes who are shaping the culture of PSD athletics. SALC members have helped organize and lead a Fall & Winter Athlete Academy, hosted two Puget Sound League Sportsmanship Summits, built connections between athletes from both high schools, and created a platform for student voices to be heard.
These students are not just athletes. They are leaders. And they are making PSD athletics better for everyone. |
Here is the reality: SALC is losing ten seniors this year! That is ten leaders, ten voices, and ten people who have poured their hearts into building this program from the ground up. Which means we need the next generation to step up.
If you are a student-athlete who wants to make a difference, this is your chance.
SALC is not just about attending meetings. It is about: - Leading events that bring athletes together
- Shaping the culture of athletics in your school and across the district
- Building skills that will serve you in college, your career, and life
- Being part of something bigger than yourself
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You do not have to be a star athlete. You do not have to be the team captain. You just have to care about making athletics better and be willing to put in the work.
SALC is looking for student-athletes who: ✅ Want to build leadership skills ✅ Care about sportsmanship and inclusion ✅ Are willing to step outside their comfort zone ✅ Want to create positive change in PSD athletics ✅ Are ready to represent their school and their sport with pride |
Applications are open NOW! Use your PSD email and CLICK HERE!
If you are interested in being part of SALC, talk to your coaches, your Athletic Director, or reach out directly to learn more. Do not wait. This is your opportunity to be part of something special.
To Current SALC Members: Thank you does not even begin to cover it. You took a chance on something that did not exist yet. You showed up when SALC was just an idea, and you turned it into something real. You helped build this from the ground up, one meeting at a time, one event at a time, one conversation at a time... even when they were not easy.
We could not have done this without you. And honestly? Working with you has been one of the best parts of this job. Watching you grow as leaders, seeing you take ownership, and knowing that you genuinely care about making a difference... that matters more than you know. You are truly leaving a legacy. Be proud of what you built!
To Future SALC Members: This is your chance. Step up. Lead. Make your mark. Applications close March 30th! Don't wait!
SALC is one year strong, and the best is yet to come!!! |
MONDAY, MARCH 23 🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity - 4:00 PM - @ Capital High School
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 4:30 PM - @ River Ridge High School
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity - 6:00 PM - vs. Lincoln High School @ GHHS Softball Diamond
TUESDAY, MARCH 24 ⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity - 2:00 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School @ Gold Mountain Golf Club Olympic Course
⛳ GHHS Girls Golf Varsity - 2:30 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School @ Gold Mountain Golf Club Olympic Course
⛳ PHS Girls Golf Varsity - 3:00 PM - @ Lakes High School @ Oakbrook Golf Course
⛳ PHS Boys Golf Varsity - 3:00 PM - @ Lakes High School @ Oakbrook Golf Course
🤽 GHHS Girls Water Polo - 3:30 PM - vs. Bainbridge Island @ Bainbridge Island
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity - 3:30 PM - @ North Thurston High School
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 4:00 PM - vs. Timberline High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity - 3:30 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 4:00 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity - 7:00 PM - vs. Timberline High School @ Peninsula HS Roy Anderson Field
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity - 7:00 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 🏃 GHHS Coed Track & Field Varsity - Outdoor - 3:30 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School Cougar Stadium
🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. Lakes High School @ PHS Tennis Courts
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. North Thurston High School @ PHS Softball Field
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity - 4:00 PM - @ Silas High School
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 4:00 PM - vs. Bellarmine Preparatory School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
🥍 GHHS Riptides Girls Lacrosse - vs. Bellarmine @ Roy Anderson Field (Time TBD)
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 4:30 PM - @ Timberline High School
🥎 PHS Girls Softball JV - 5:00 PM - vs. North Thurston High School @ PHS Softball Field
THURSDAY, MARCH 26 ⛳ GHHS Girls Golf Varsity - 2:00 PM - @ Silas High School @ Allenmore Golf Course
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity - 2:00 PM - @ Silas High School @ Allenmore Golf Course
🎾 GHHS Girls Tennis Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. Silas High School @ GHHS Tennis Courts
⛳ PHS Boys Golf Varsity - 3:00 PM - vs. North Thurston High School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
⛳ PHS Girls Golf Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. North Thurston High School @ Canterwood Golf & Country Club
🤽 PHS Girls Water Polo - 5:30 PM - @ Lakes High School
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity - 7:00 PM - @ River Ridge High School @ Nisqually Middle School Turf Field
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity - 7:00 PM - vs. Central Kitsap High School @ PHS Roy Anderson Field
FRIDAY, MARCH 27 🎾 PHS Girls Tennis Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. Timberline High School @ PHS Tennis Courts
🥎 GHHS Girls Softball Varsity - 4:00 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School
🥍 GHHS Riptides Girls Lacrosse - vs. Evergreen @ Evergreen (Time TBD)
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity - 3:30 PM - vs. North Kitsap High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
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SATURDAY, MARCH 28 ⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 11:00 AM - vs. West Seattle High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park Sehmel #1
🤽 GHHS Girls Water Polo - 12:30 PM - vs. Curtis @ Curtis
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity - 11:00 AM - @ Bainbridge High School
ALSO THIS WEEK: 💃 GHHS H2Whoa Dance Team - STATE CHAMPIONSHIP - SATURDAY, March 28 - STATE COMPETITION
- Good luck, H2Whoa! Bring home that title!
🌦️ WEATHER WATCH + SCHEDULE UPDATES Welcome to spring in the PNW… where we can get all four seasons before first pitch. With that in mind, please remember: - 📅 All practice and game schedules are subject to change due to weather and field conditions.
- We always do our best to keep things as consistent as possible, but safety (and playable fields!) come first.
👉 Be sure to: • Check for updates from your coach or school • Keep an eye on communication platforms • Have a backup plan… just in case ☔
We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as we navigate the unpredictable elements together! |
We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net. |
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