EHS athletes continue playing careers at next level

The athletic season and school year have ended at Eatonville High School, and a few seniors have committed to playing their respective sports at the next level in colleges or universities. This year, EHS has four student-athletes who will go from donning the jerseys of their high school and club teams to sporting their new colors across various post-secondary levels.

Cruiser baseball has two commits who will play on a collegiate diamond next year. After helping EHS secure fourth place in the District 4 playoffs, both seniors from the ball club are moving on to the next level.

Payton Hanly announced his intention to play baseball for Centralia Community College. The pitcher and outfielder led his high school team in batting average (.395) and was the strikeout (K) leader with 70 Ks.

“I chose Centralia Community College because of its great coaching staff. The first time I met them, I knew that it was the right fit. The baseball program at Centralia has also been on the rise, breaking lots of program records these last couple of seasons,” said Hanly.

Hanly will join a Centralia squad that went 30-20 last season in the Northwest Athletic Conference’s (NWAC) West Division, finishing in fifth place. He hopes to bring his skill set to the lineup and make a difference.

“I am a left-handed pitcher that has recently been able to pitch to ground outs and fly outs, and this has helped contribute to the team by getting us off the defensive side of the ball and back in the dugout to score some runs,” Hanly said.

Will Sepich will also take his baseball talents to the NWAC level and play for Grays Harbor next year. The EHS outfielder finished with a .478 on-base percentage. Grays Harbor also plays in the NWAC’s West Division, and Sepich hopes to help them improve on their past season, in which they missed the playoffs.

“I chose Grays Harbor College because of the team atmosphere and the fact that Coach Hogue reached out to me personally to recruit me, which felt really genuine,” Sepich said regarding his decision to play for the Chokers. “What I add to Grays is someone who will work very hard for what is asked of me and that I am committed to this team.”

Will Sepich will play for Grays Harbor next year.

 

On the basketball court, according to EHS athletics, Hunter Klumpar plans to stay close by and play for Pierce Community College. This past season, Klumpar was named the first team in the all-conference during the basketball season. In addition to being a star on the basketball court, Klumpar was a dominant football player who helped lead the Cruisers to a state championship appearance as quarterback this past year.

Ryan Stammen has committed to playing rugby at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) level at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina. Stammen played four years of rugby with the Kent Crusaders and will play for Queens at the scrum and flanker positions. “We are so excited to welcome her to our team,” the club said in a statement welcoming Stammen to Queens University Rugby.

Stammen was a multi-sport athlete who played rugby, soccer, basketball, and track and field.

With the athletic season and school year ending at Eatonville High School, we celebrate the achievements of our senior student-athletes. Their dedication and hard work have paid off as they advance to collegiate sports.

Ryan Stammen has committed to playing rugby at Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina.