As we head into Thanksgiving week, it's time to celebrate our fall athletes who gave everything they had this season. We have STATE CHAMPIONS to honor, playoff warriors to recognize, and incredible performances to celebrate. From Jane Jackman's diving state title to our soccer teams' deep playoff runs, from our swimmers' outstanding performances to our volleyball team still competing at state—this fall season has been one for the books. Let's take a moment to be grateful for every athlete, coach, and family who made this season unforgettable.

Gig Harbor High School is Yakima-bound for the WIAA 3A State Volleyball Championships! The Tides open their run against Monroe High School this Friday at 8:00 AM in the SunDome. Yes, bright and early, but absolutely worth waking up for.

This team didn’t just make state, they earned every inch of it. They have been gritty, disciplined, and relentlessly competitive all season long. When the pressure hits, they don’t fold… they lock in.

Good luck, ladies!!! Go make the SunDome rumble. We are with you every step, every set, every swing.

Our swimmers and divers competed at the WIAA 3A State Championships last weekend at King County Aquatic Center, and they represented Peninsula School District with excellence.

The Seahawks competed at state and finished 9th overall—a strong showing against the best teams in Washington.

200 Medley Relay - 9th Place (1:42.15) - Top 10 finish!

400 Medley Relay - 7th Place (3:45.35) - Top 10 finish!

An absolutely beautiful performance all around! Peninsula showed up, delivered, and proved they belong among the best in Washington. Congratulations, Seahawks!

The Lady Tides finished 7th overall at the state championships—an outstanding team performance that showcased depth, talent, and championship-level racing.

200 Freestyle Relay - 6th Place (1:41.37) - Top 10 finish!

400 Freestyle Relay - 6th Place (3:42.03) - Top 10 finish!

This is an incredible achievement! Winning a state title is absolutely remarkable, and Jane delivered when it mattered most. Congratulations, Jane, on an outstanding performance and bringing home gold for the Tides!

Congratulations to both our swim programs on exceptional seasons! Competing at state takes months of early morning practices, relentless training, and unwavering commitment. Our swimmers and divers represented Peninsula School District with pride and excellence.

Both our girls soccer programs had outstanding postseason runs, advancing deep into the state playoffs and competing at the highest level.

The Tides earned the #1 seed and made an incredible run to the quarterfinals, finishing in the top 8 teams in the state. This team showed resilience, tactical excellence, and heart throughout their playoff journey. Hosting playoff games at Roy Anderson Field and seeing the community rally behind them was special.

While the season ended in the quarterfinals, this team accomplished something remarkable. Top 8 in Washington is elite company, and the Tides represented Gig Harbor with pride and determination! Incredible work, ladies!

The Seahawks fought their way to the Round of 16, finishing in the top 16 teams in the state. This team battled through a tough playoff bracket and proved they belong among Washington’s best programs.

Making it to the Round of 16 in 3A soccer is a significant achievement. The competition is fierce, and the Seahawks showed up ready to compete every single match. This team has a lot to be proud of!

Both soccer programs exceeded expectations this season and gave us moments we won’t forget. To our coaches and athletes: thank you for an incredible season. You made us proud.

As we head into Thanksgiving week, it is a good time to reflect on what matters most in Peninsula School District athletics. Yes, we are thankful for wins, personal bests, and championship runs. But what we are most grateful for are the lessons our student-athletes are learning that have nothing to do with the scoreboard; lessons about character, integrity, and doing what's right even when it's hard.

Ethics in athletics is not just about following rules. It is about the daily decisions coaches, athletes, and administrators make when no one is watching. It is about choosing honesty over convenience. It is about treating every athlete with dignity, whether they are a starter or riding the bench. It is about prioritizing the well-being of young people over wins and losses.

At Peninsula School District, we are committed to building athletic programs where ethics guide everything we do. That means:

Honesty - We tell athletes, parents, and each other the truth, even when it is uncomfortable. If an athlete is not starting because their effort in practice has been inconsistent, we say that. We don't sugarcoat it. Athletes can't grow if they don't know where they stand.

Transparency - We communicate clearly about playing time, team decisions, and expectations. When athletes and parents know the standard and see it applied fairly, trust builds. Hiding decisions or refusing to explain them breaks trust fast.

Fairness - We treat every athlete with respect, regardless of talent, background, or who their parents are. Fairness does not mean treating everyone the same—some athletes need more coaching, some need encouragement, some need tough love. But favoritism has no place in our programs.

Accountability - Coaches hold themselves to the same standards they set for athletes. If we demand punctuality, we show up on time. If we preach integrity, we model it. Athletes notice everything, and they learn more from what we do than what we say.

Athlete Well-Being First - We prioritize physical safety, mental health, and long-term development over short-term results. If an athlete is injured, we don't rush them back. If they are struggling academically or emotionally, we address it—even if it means they miss games.

Living out these principles isn not always easy. Coaches face pressure from parents, community expectations, and their own desire to win. Sometimes doing the right thing costs you a game. Sometimes it makes you unpopular. Sometimes it is just plain hard.

But the coaches who stick to their principles—who refuse to compromise ethics for wins—are the ones building programs that matter. They are the ones athletes remember years later, not because of championships, but because they cared enough to do what was right. These are the coaches we have in PSD!

Parents play a huge role in supporting ethical athletics. Here is how you can help:

This Thanksgiving, we are thankful for our coaches who show up every day with integrity. We are thankful for the athletes who compete with heart, respect their teammates, and hold themselves accountable. We are thankful for the parents who support their kids without adding pressure. And we are thankful for the administrators who prioritize doing what is right over what is easy.

Ethics in athletics isn't flashy. It doesn't always make headlines. But it's the foundation of everything we are trying to build in Peninsula School District. And that is something worth being thankful for.

"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have the time to do it over?" -John Wooden

⚠️ Reminder: Schedules are subject to change. Stay connected with your coaches and team communications for the latest updates!