Their success during the past eight years has become unparalleled at Auburn Riverside High School.
Sure, the girls basketball team has risen to the top of the state ranks the last two years. And the football team has enjoyed a nice surge in recent seasons.
But when it comes to outright, year-in-year-out success, there hasn’t been a single program at Auburn Riverside that can top what the boys golf team has delivered.
That success includes seven league championships over the last eight years. A state team title in 2002. And a revolving door on state participants.
“I wouldn’t even say I am the driver of this bus,” said coach Tom Adams, who entered his ninth season with the program this fall. “I guide it more than anything.”
Adams indeed has guided his share of success. So much, in fact, that the Ravens have posted an almost ridiculous record of 84-9 during the past eight seasons.
But as the season teed off last Tuesday, the Ravens will be treading in some rather unfamiliar territory. That is, unlike recent seasons, when they could draw on a wealth of experience, Auburn Riverside returns a somewhat young bunch.
In addition to the relative youth movement on the Riverside links, the Ravens also have to contend with a classification change. While Auburn Riverside had its way in the SPSL 3A last year, cruising to an 8-0 league record and 10th-place state finish, things undoubtedly will become a bit more difficult in the new-look, Class 4A South Puget Sound League, where the Ravens will compete against golf heavyweights Thomas Jefferson and Curtis in the Central Division.
“Last year, in 3A, we probably had two to three matches where we pretty much knew we were going to win the match,” Adams said. “This year, that’s not the case. In the 3A, the depth just isn’t there. This year, maybe we find out how good we are.”
As always, however, the Ravens have ample tools with which to work with, led by junior Dustin Hegge, who tied for 38th at state last spring. But Hegge won’t have to go at it alone as fourth-year starters Eric Russell and Austin Hilkin, both of whom earned all-league accolades last fall, along with senior Mike Freund will add depth.
“It’s just inexperienced depth,” Adams noted. “We’re young. What we’ll have to do to compete in our league is, kids will have to play up to their potential.”
If recent success is any indication, however, history certainly is on the Ravens’ side.
Notable
Unfortunately for rivals’ sake, Auburn Riverside will not be challenged in league play by Auburn this season. When the SPSL was re-shuffled this season, the Trojans wound up in the North Division along with the four Kent schools and Tahoma. Auburn, which went 8-1 overall last year and shared the SPSL 3A crown with Auburn Riverside, will receive a stiff challenge from Kentwood and Kentridge, the favorites to win the division. However, the Trojans have experience on their side with the return of third-year starters Adam Vance, Alex Pratt, Tyler Tanner and Bryan Newsom. Numbers are also in abundance for the Trojans, who had 18 players turn out for this year’s team. … The Auburn Mountainview boys, still competing in the SPSL 3A, could be in for their most successful season to date with state participant Justin Cory and district qualifier Tanner Easley back in fold. The Lions also should get a boost from seniors Mike Fay and Charlie Scarff along with the arrival of freshman Kelly Campbell. Campbell, the son of former Auburn Golf Course professional Doug Campbell, competed in several high-level, PNGA and WJGA tournaments over the summer. Last Wednesday against North Thurston, Campbell made a solid debut, carding a 77 at Auburn Golf Course, finishing second behind teammate Cory, who earned medalist honors with a 74. … The Auburn Riverside girls, which were co-league champs with Auburn Mountainview in the SPSL 3A last spring, also should be in the running for league supremacy in the Central Division. The Ravens return seven golfers, led by seniors Janelle McPeak and Jenny Williams. … Look out for the Auburn Mountainview girls, who should remain in the thick of the SPSL 3A race, particularly with four returning starters, including state veteran Julie Heffernan back in fold. Heffernan, a junior, tied for 20th at state last spring, carding a two-day total of 179. Adding depth and strength will be the return of Megan Hurley, Lauren Katsel and Julia Schneider.
