program blossom after a very long hiatus on Orcas (almost 50 years). The team of all-new runners and throwers had an extraordinary showing at the State Competition with eight student-athletes each bringing home a medal. Both Boys’ and Girls’ Golf had a great season, culminating in the boys’ winning the Tri-District Tournament and with four boys and three girls qualifying for the State Tournament. OI Baseball advanced to the State play-in game of the 1B State Finals to face Mossyrock but was out in nine innings with a score of 1-0. While the Girls’ Softball team was energetic, they did not advance to post-season play.

The 2023 Volleyball team was on fire: undefeated at home, they won the District Championship, placed 2nd in the Tri-District Championships, and 9th in the State Tournament in the Yakima Sundome. Cross Country sent two runners to the State Meet in Pasco to race with 161 other contestants. After a bit of a rocky start, 2023 Viking Soccer clawed its way to the State Championships for the third year in a row, bringing home the 2nd place trophy. We are so very proud of all of the student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans who make Viking sports so exciting.

San Juan County has three newly trained Animal Control Officers now stationed on three of the ferry-served islands. From left to right, Deputy Jason Gross (Orcas), Deputy Walker Vandenhazel (Lopez), and Deputy Nicholas Wainwright (San Juan) became certified at the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Burien in 2023.

SeaDoc Society photo. The bluefin tuna that was discovered on July 11 on Crescent Beach.

SeaDoc Society photo. The bluefin tuna that was discovered on July 11 on Crescent Beach.

SeaDoc Society photo. The bluefin tuna that was discovered on July 11 on Crescent Beach.

SeaDoc Society photo. The bluefin tuna that was discovered on July 11 on Crescent Beach.