IMS wrestling report

The Islander Middle School wrestling team continued its unbeaten streak, extending its record to 4-0 this season.

On Dec. 2, the Gators of IMS beat Snoqualmie 71-20, before beating Chief Kanim 76-21 on Dec. 7.

The Gators also dominated during a match against Issaquah 68-15. After the first four meets this season the middle school team has out scored their opponents 262-98.

Against Snoqualmie: Jake Pruchno (Technical fall), Luke Wilson (Forfeit), Trevor Gullstad (Forfeit), Taylan Yuasa (11-10), Gabriel Andrews (8-3), Jack Vassau (Fall :44), Benji Rothenberg (Forfeit), Peter Mahony (Forfeit), Kenji Walker (Fall 3:54), Eric Schulz (Fall 1:59), Chris Richards (Fall :29), Will Kane (:41), Shade McDaniel (Forfeit).

Against Chief Kanim: Hank Barenborg (Forfeit), Jake Pruchno (Fall), Luke Wilson (Forfeit), Trevor Gullstad (Fall), Taylan Yuasa (Forfeit), Jack Vassau (Forfeit), Eric Rothenberg (Forfeit), Evan Condon (Forfeit), Peter Mahony (Fall), Eric Schulz (Fall), Brian Glant (Forfeit), Chris Richards (13-2), Shade McDaniel (Fall).

Against Issaquah: Hank Barenborg (Fall 3:40), Jake Pruchno (Fall :32), Luke Wilson (Fall 4:42), Trevor Gullstad (11-0), Taylan Yuasa (10-9), Jack Vassau (inj. def. :1:37), Peter Mahony (Fall 1:56), Kenji Walker (16-8), Eric Schulz (Fall :29), Chris Richards (Fall 1:14), Brian Glant (8-3), Will Kane (Forfeit), Shade McDaniel (Fall :31).

Mercer Island Little League registration now open

Mercer Island Little League Registration opened Dec. 9th for girls and boys ages 5 – 14 years. League divisions include T-ball, machine pitch, and player pitch. A Jr Baseball Division for 13U and 14U will also be introduced this year. The Mercer Island Little League program, run by the Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club serves nearly 800 children annually. Last year season highlights included State championships for the Majors softball and baseball teams, and a trip to the Little League World Series for the Majors 12U team. To register go online to www.mi.positiveplace.org or call the Boys & Girls Club at 206-232-4548.

Islanders fifth-grade basketball wins Newport shootout

The Mercer Island fifth-grade maroon girls team won the Newport Cold Turkey Shootout on Nov. 29, beating Eastlake in the final game for the title.

The team was undefeated during the tournament, taking down the Bellevue B team, Eastside Catholic and Monroe. The team also took first at the Wenatchee tournament in the spring and was second in the Skyline tournament, held in early November.

The girls are coached by Carrie Krause and Raymond Lam. The team includes: Ali Marinello, Macy Mounger, Anna Luce, Brooke Fitzwilson Kate Miller, Jessie Stenberg, Claire Mansfield, Maeve Akins, Kayla Tsang, Kailee Yan, Josie Blakeslee and Nalani Ogawa.

MIHS update on Title IX work

For approximately two years, the Mercer Island School District, specifically Mercer Island High School, worked on updating and becoming compliant with the federal Title IX law. Since that time, the district has made changes to areas where it was told it was not in compliance and has continued to move forward with the process of making sure funds raised for various high school sports are distributed equally.

Craig Olson, the athletic director at the high school, said that overall, he felt it was a good process and that the district was making good strides toward meeting the law and making sure things are equal among the sports, but because of a lack of personnel due to the district’s budgetary woes, the school is unable to get as much done as before.

Olson said that at one point, there was the consideration of creating a unified booster club, which would oversee all sports, rather than individual sports having their own, as a way to level out the amount of money some groups raised compared to others. Olson said he felt it was something that would be possible, but that it would need strong support at the district level and, due to administrative changes, is something Olson has not been able to get yet.

He also said the district continues to work on the education piece to make sure all parties involved understand the law and the district’s obligations.

“It’s easier to raise money for certain sports, like football, basketball and baseball, than others, just because there is higher attendance and it’s easier to get sponsors because more people see it,” said Olson. “But that’s where we run into problems. It has to be even.”

During the original Title IX compliance review, it was found that certain sports were not receiving the same amount of funding and were therefore not in compliance. Olson said the school was able to even things out from various funds the school had access to, but because of the economy it’s not likely that would be able to continue.