The sun isn’t the only thing that has been coming out recently (shh!). Eight prep sports teams representing Mercer Island are returning to outdoor competition, with a couple more competing indoors. This week, the Reporter takes a look at the Islander teams taking action, rain or shine, this spring season.

Boys soccer eyes return to state finals

A single goal separated Mercer Island boys soccer from the 3A state championship last spring, marking the second time in three years the Islanders were a goal away from their first state title.

It was the only goal the Islanders conceded through four games in the state tournament, and the loss remains ever-present in the minds of Mercer Island’s coaches and players. While trying to temper their expectations as they set to begin the 2015 season, the Islanders can’t deny their lofty ambition for the upcoming campaign.

“I don’t want to sound overconfident, but I think getting back to that level we were at last year. It gave all the players a sense of what they’re going after, and they saw it and they came so close, that it would be a mistake for me to say that anything less than that would be what we’re aiming for,” coach Colin Rigby said. “I am aiming for a state championship this year, but [we] have to start with [one] game at a time.”

Among those returning for Mercer Island are All-KingCo selections Ryan Hill, Derek Sims and Daniel Espeleta, senior captain Sean Nevin, and goalkeeper Matt Leprowse, who split time throughout last season with graduated starter Tate Crenshaw. Hill was Mercer Island’s leading scorer, registering three-consecutive hat tricks at season’s end and providing six of Mercer Island’s 12 postseason goals. Sims served as the center defender for a back line that didn’t allow any goals until the state final.

“We definitely have the talent to make it all the way [back to state], we just need to make sure we’re putting it together and working as a team building up to that so by the time we get there, we’ll be playing to our full potential,” Sims said.

The Islanders are guaranteed no sure path to the state tournament by any means, and Hill acknowledges KingCo as “the most competitive conference in this state.” But the senior Mercer Island striker said if the Islanders are able to make it out of their conference, they’ll go on to do good things.

“State’s the goal, and everything in front of that are the steps it’s going to take to get there,” Hill said. “It starts with our first game, but our eyes are on the prize. We all want to end our senior year with a championship. [We’ve] been too close too many times.”

Dylan Lesko (3), Nathan Gallatin (center) and Erik Schulz (5) compete in the 800 meters at last year’s KingCo finals. Lesko and Gallatin return this year for the Islanders (Annie Vu/Contributed Photo).

Track and field targets higher numbers

In his second season working with Mercer Island track and field, coach Sam Gadbury has been impressed with the effort he’s seen from his track and field athletes.

“It’s just a real positive atmosphere,” Gadbury said. “Not that I wasn’t expecting good things, but I think even more than I expected. Kids are just ready to work hard.”

That being said, Gadbury and fellow coach Erica Hill acknowledge they’re working with a smaller group this year, albeit a strong one.

“On an individual basis, race to race, we’ve got a lot of talent. As a team, we’re looking to get more numbers and recruit some of the athletes who maybe aren’t doing things in the spring,” Gadbury said. “Hopefully in a few years, we’re looking to be more competitive as a team. I think that’s a goal of ours, to get those kids out and be a stronger team presence in all the events.”

Among the athletes returning for the Islanders are Piper Casey, Victory Gersch, Kate Miller, Dylan Lesko, Dylan Majewski and Greyson Weltyk.

“We want to bring more people up with us to KingCo than last year, bring as many people as we can and get more people competing at a higher level,” senior Greyson Weltyk said, who was a spot away from going to state last year.

In a statistically-based sport where athletes experience their share of ups and downs week to week, the Mercer Island coaches said it’s important for each athlete to have some sort of goal in mind for themselves.

“I’d hope that each kid comes in with a goal and that they have a personal record throughout the season, and they feel, ‘I made my goal,’” Hill said.

Despite working with turnout numbers that could be higher, Gadbury said the positivity shown by the athletes has him jazzed for the start of the season.

“For me, it’s been the best start as a track coach I’ve had,” Gadbury said.

From left, girls water polo captains Alicia Nordal, Nola Peshkin and Kirbi Phillips (Joseph Livarchik/Staff Photo).

Girls water polo looks to continue improvement

After taking fourth at last year’s state tournament, Mercer Island girls water polo are hoping to see more improvement as they take to the pool for the 2015 season.

“I want them to feel like they’ve been successful as the season progresses,” new coach Blake van Hartesvelt said. “I think that it’s a very talented group of girls, and I’m setting our expectations high.

“I’m setting the stage for what we want to be. So far, it’s been going great.”

The Islanders only graduated one senior and return captains Alicia Nordal, Nola Peshkin and Kirbi Phillips.

The program has seen quite the growth since the senior captains were freshmen, growing from a team of 12 to a turnout of 26.

“We’ve had a significant increase, which we’re really happy about,” Phillips said.

Part of that may be due to the team’s priority to have fun.

“I feel like we stand out in the league,” Phillips said. “We just have a lot of fun. Not all the other teams are as close as we are and that’s something we take pride in.”