(Video courtesy Sean Silvers `18, Silversight Media)
Here are the seasons at-a-glance:
FOOTBALL
At first glance, Bullpup football is having a typical season, plowing through GSL competition, one opponent after another. Take a closer look, and you’ll see a team that had to replace all 11 starters on offense. “We’re green,” says head coach Dave McKenna of his 5-1 squad. “But it’s not about the scoreboard. It’s the wins every day in practice.”
The offense is led by quarterback Bodie Stafford and the strong kicking leg of senior Matthew Herzog on special teams. An ensemble defense led by senior Ryan Jackson is collecting turnovers and has held GSL opponents to just a handful of TDs.
“These guys believe. They believe in the program. They’re getting a little better each day.”
Their lone loss was to a tough Inglewood High School team in the Moorpark Everyday Heroes Bowl in the L.A. area in early September. “L.A. was amazing for these guys, they learned a lot and they played hard.” Senior night for the Pups is Friday in a contest vs. Central Valley.
VOLLEYBALL
Hard work. Preparation. Cooperation. Those are the words first-year head coach Nikki Leonard uses to describe her top-ranked Bullpups. She inherited an experienced squad that knows how to put in the work in practice and is seeing the payoff in matches – they’re 10-0 after two commanding home wins over NC and UHigh last week.
“Most of the girls are close both on and off the court, and those relationships help us grow as a team,” Leonard says. “We know that this game is very mentally engaging we have impressed on them the fact that positivity, encouragement, and inclusion are what will make the team successful.”
Senior captains Lilli Etter and Maddie Finnegan bring a competitiveness and work ethic that is contagious and helps motivate the rest of the team. Junior libero Emma Sandberg is the “glue” on the court. “She naturally brings the best out of everyone around her. She exemplifies a harmony in enthusiasm, effort, and competitiveness.”
The Pups are on the road vs. Mead and Central Valley this week before returning to Scarpelli Gym as the regular season rolls toward playoffs.
GIRLS SOCCER
“This team is locked in.” Says second-year head coach Johnny Bartich `11. In his second year as head coach, he has continued to reload with some of the top talent in the Greater Spokane League. “These girls come ready. They’re hungry.”
The team – undefeated in league play – has great leadership in its three senior captains, Tess Keyes, Keagan Austin, and Caylee Kerr. All three have four years of varsity experience and it shows. “On the field, when things get tough, they settle everything down.”
All of the juniors and seniors are modeling great leadership, and the sophomores and freshmen are willing to learn and play their roles on the team. Riding the momentum of last week’s key wins over always-tough Mead and Mt. Spokane, they look to avenge a preseason loss vs. Ridgeline on senior night, Oct. 18.
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls
Bullpup girls cross country is making strides this season, says girls head coach Stephen Manfred. “They worked really hard this summer and they’re beginning to see results,” he says. But more than that, the team has solid leadership from top to bottom. “This is one of the best groups of girls I’ve ever worked with,” he says.
Look for some PRs as the Pups close out the regular season and compete in Districts.
Boys
Boys cross country has made a big leap in positive team culture this season. The “very, very young team,” has fully embraced it, says boys head coach Steven Kutsch.
Two freshmen – Noah Martinet and Marshall Loew have 5K times that put them in the top 20 statewide for their grade according to Athletic.net. Zach Frazier is in the top 10 for sophomores.
“The talent is there, it’s a matter of helping them to grow and keep them motivated and hungry as they get older.” Scotty McIntyre is the lone varsity senior, and he has made great strides this season, says Kutsch. At the Battle of the 509, his 5K time of 15:52.8 was not only 13th overall, but also the fastest for a Bullpup since 2019.
Last year, three qualified for state, and the team is on track to again qualify 3 individuals for state. “Things are definitely moving forward for us.”
“These guys believe. They believe in the program. They’re getting a little better each day.”
Their lone loss was to a tough Inglewood High School team in the Moorpark Everyday Heroes Bowl in the L.A. area in early September. “L.A. was amazing for these guys, they learned a lot and they played hard.” Senior night for the Pups is Friday in a contest vs. Central Valley.
VOLLEYBALL
Hard work. Preparation. Cooperation. Those are the words first-year head coach Nikki Leonard uses to describe her top-ranked Bullpups. She inherited an experienced squad that knows how to put in the work in practice and is seeing the payoff in matches – they’re 10-0 after two commanding home wins over NC and UHigh last week.
“Most of the girls are close both on and off the court, and those relationships help us grow as a team,” Leonard says. “We know that this game is very mentally engaging we have impressed on them the fact that positivity, encouragement, and inclusion are what will make the team successful.”
Senior captains Lilli Etter and Maddie Finnegan bring a competitiveness and work ethic that is contagious and helps motivate the rest of the team. Junior libero Emma Sandberg is the “glue” on the court. “She naturally brings the best out of everyone around her. She exemplifies a harmony in enthusiasm, effort, and competitiveness.”
The Pups are on the road vs. Mead and Central Valley this week before returning to Scarpelli Gym as the regular season rolls toward playoffs.
GIRLS SOCCER
“This team is locked in.” Says second-year head coach Johnny Bartich `11. In his second year as head coach, he has continued to reload with some of the top talent in the Greater Spokane League. “These girls come ready. They’re hungry.”
The team – undefeated in league play – has great leadership in its three senior captains, Tess Keyes, Keagan Austin, and Caylee Kerr. All three have four years of varsity experience and it shows. “On the field, when things get tough, they settle everything down.”
All of the juniors and seniors are modeling great leadership, and the sophomores and freshmen are willing to learn and play their roles on the team. Riding the momentum of last week’s key wins over always-tough Mead and Mt. Spokane, they look to avenge a preseason loss vs. Ridgeline on senior night, Oct. 18.
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls
Bullpup girls cross country is making strides this season, says girls head coach Stephen Manfred. “They worked really hard this summer and they’re beginning to see results,” he says. But more than that, the team has solid leadership from top to bottom. “This is one of the best groups of girls I’ve ever worked with,” he says.
Look for some PRs as the Pups close out the regular season and compete in Districts.
Boys
Boys cross country has made a big leap in positive team culture this season. The “very, very young team,” has fully embraced it, says boys head coach Steven Kutsch.
Two freshmen – Noah Martinet and Marshall Loew have 5K times that put them in the top 20 statewide for their grade according to Athletic.net. Zach Frazier is in the top 10 for sophomores.
“The talent is there, it’s a matter of helping them to grow and keep them motivated and hungry as they get older.” Scotty McIntyre is the lone varsity senior, and he has made great strides this season, says Kutsch. At the Battle of the 509, his 5K time of 15:52.8 was not only 13th overall, but also the fastest for a Bullpup since 2019.
Last year, three qualified for state, and the team is on track to again qualify 3 individuals for state. “Things are definitely moving forward for us.”
Senior day for the both boys and girls is Wednesday at Finch Arboretum, with one more GSL meet after that to prepare for District Championships at the end of the month.
SLOWPITCH
Under head coach John Dressler, varsity slowpitch softball has flattened a steep learning curve. With a roster featuring all levels of experience and loaded with underclassmen, the Bullpups’ early mistakes have evolved into late-season successes on offense and defense. They will enter the District 8 Class 4A playoffs as a much different team than the one that first stepped on the field in August.
Senior co-captains Zoey Rastall (shortstop) and Grace Shirley (pitcher) have provided leadership both on and off the field.
SLOWPITCH
Under head coach John Dressler, varsity slowpitch softball has flattened a steep learning curve. With a roster featuring all levels of experience and loaded with underclassmen, the Bullpups’ early mistakes have evolved into late-season successes on offense and defense. They will enter the District 8 Class 4A playoffs as a much different team than the one that first stepped on the field in August.
Senior co-captains Zoey Rastall (shortstop) and Grace Shirley (pitcher) have provided leadership both on and off the field.