Archbishop Murphy football team debuts

Archbishop Murphy has a new entry in its sports lineup this fall. The Everett private school's football program is the latest team to put on Wildcat uniforms.

The football Wildcats (1-2), under longtime Everett-area coach Terry Ennis, won their first game last Saturday, 18-15 over the Class 4A Kamiak sophomore team. The team is playing an independent schedule this year before entering Class 1A next year.

Archbishop Murphy's boys and girls soccer teams are off to winning starts. The girls have developed a postseason tradition and are favorites to win the three-team Northwest 1A League and advance to the tri-district playoffs. The boys are also strong, currently leading the large-school division of the Northwest A/B League.

The Wildcat volleyball team is banking on an improved season after going winless in the league last fall. ATM has already won twice in league this year and has five wins overall.

Football

Coach - Terry Ennis, first season.

1999 - No record; fielding first team this year.

Key players - OL/LB Jacob Thompson, Sr.; OT/DT Jake Campbell, So.; RB/DE Axel Wolff, So.; RB/DB Chris Alvarez, Sr.; QB /DB Ryan Pursley, Jr.

Outlook - Wildcats are playing 3A and 4A schools' sophomore teams this fall before entering league play. Ennis' team motto is "Close the Gap," meaning he wants his players to become better week to week and focus on effort and improvement rather than winning. Team plays eight-game schedule, with last game in Yakima on Oct. 28 against LaSalle, a private school with a fledgling football program.

Girls soccer

Coaches - Pat Jack and Chris Jowell, first season as co-coaches.

1999 record - 6-0 in league, Northwest A league champions.

Returning starters/key players - F Lora Dahmen, Sr. SWP Kristi Turner, Sr.; D Erin Furnas, Sr.; MF Beth Jensen, Jr.; F Andrea Bardin, Jr.; D Rachel Ogle, So.; MF Melissa Fritsch, So.; MF Justine Walker, Jr. GK Lindsay Krell, So.

Impact newcomers - MF Casey Hammond, Fr.; MF Danielle Shandera, Fr.; F Megan McGinn, Fr.; MF Caitlin Warnock, Fr.

Outlook - Jack has returned to help guide the program after taking a year off from coaching soccer. Jowell was a co-coach last fall. Wildcats lead three-team league with 1-0 record and were 4-1-1 overall heading into yesterday's game against LaConner. Young team has little depth, but Wildcats are talented and will play several freshmen. Dahmen and Turner were second-team all-state players in 1998, the year Archbishop Murphy placed second at 1A state tournament.

Boys soccer

Coach - Russ Luteyn, fourth season.

1999 record - 6-0 in league, 7-4-1 overall (Northwest A League).

Returning starters/key players - D Ryan Shandera, Sr.; F John Wilcox, Sr.; D Greg Cook, Sr.; D Greg Van Hollebeke, Sr.; D Jeremy Anderson, Sr.; GK Rich Albo, Jr.; MF Aaron Carlton, Jr.

Outlook - Heading into today's game at Friday Harbor, the division opener, Wildcats are 3-1. ATM already has had experience in tight games this fall, losing to perennial power Overlake of Redmond 6-4 in overtime and beating Class B Grace Academy 4-2 in an overtime shootout. Forward John Wilcox, the Wildcat scoring leader in 1999, leads team with three goals and three assists. Defense may be biggest strength, as all defenders returned after giving up only six goals as a unit last year.

Volleyball

Coach - Art Corral, first season.

1999 record - 0-12 in league, 2-16 overall.

Returning starters/key players - OH/MB Kellie Daviscourt, Sr.; DS Jessica Warner, Sr.; OH Julia Peters, Jr.; S Brie Aho, Jr.; DS Gina Taffera, Jr.

Impact newcomers - MB Lauren Coate, So.; S Callan Kosnik, So.; DS Jessica Bookey, So.; OH Megan Warner, Fr.; OH Kristen Linscott, So.

Outlook - Wildcats are a young team without a great deal of experience, but are 2-2 in league and 5-5 overall and have guaranteed themselves a better record than last season. Future looks bright.