Ocosta 8th-grader Bristol Towle (24) took advantage of a timid Lady Fishermen defense early, scoring her first goal less than 20 seconds into the match. Towle finished with four goals to lead Ocosta to an 8-0 victory.

PACIFIC COUNTY — The 2023 fall varsity sports season sprang into life last week, with several Pacific County programs logging their first games and meets of the season.

Ilwaco cross country

Ilwaco runners participated in their first meet of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the Timberland Jamboree, a 2-mile run in Lacey.

Sophomore Nora Soule was the top Ilwaco finisher in the women’s division, taking 26th place (15:20.7) among 70 runners. Capital senior Addison Harrington took first place overall in the women’s event (12:51.1)

More than 100 runners participated in the men’s freshmen-sophomore race, with Yelm sophomore Sam Hall finishing with the fastest overall time (11:17.1).

Ilwaco’s fastest men’s time was turned in by freshmen Brent Curry (12:14.6), the 35th-best time overall. Freshmen Druv Athamanathan (14:08) had the next best finish, 57th overall.

In the junior-senior men’s race, senior Jacob Mathison (12:41.6) and junior Wyse Mulinix (12:42.5) finished 36th and 37th out of a field of 85, the two best finishes for the Fishermen. Junior Sammy Lloyd finished 52nd, with a time of 13:29.2.

Enumclaw senior McCoy Brooks topped the field, finishing in 9:55.3, while Yelm finished first as a team.

Ilwaco girls soccer

The Ilwaco girls soccer team kicked off their season at home against Ocosta last Wednesday, where the Lady Fishermen (0-2) were handed an 8-0 defeat.

Ocosta 8th-grader Bristol Towle took advantage of a timid Lady Fishermen defense early, scoring her first goal less than 20 seconds into the match. The Ilwaco defense continued to struggle to contain Towle, who scored her second and third goal in rapid succession, giving the Wildcats a commanding 3-0 lead midway through the first half.

Ilwaco midfielders Sophia Bittner and Kaitlyn Banuet managed shots on goal, but were turned away as Ocosta continued to add to their lead with Towle scoring her fourth and junior Kylee Denny adding the fifth, giving Ocosta a 5-0 halftime lead.

On Monday, Sept. 11, Ilwaco was defeated 9-0 by King’s Way Christian.

The team will return to action Thursday, Sept. 14 when they face Astoria (1-1) at home.

Ilwaco volleyball

A freshmen and sophomore-laden Ilwaco girls volleyball squad held their first home match of the season Thursday, Sept. 7, where the Lady Fishermen (0-3) were swept in straight sets by Onalaska (2-0).

Ilwaco will travel to face Raymond (1-1) Thursday before returning home to take on Willapa Valley on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.

Naselle football

Naselle raced to a 45-16 halftime lead in their home opener against Ocosta on Friday, Sept. 8, where they cruised to an 82-29 victory.

Jack Strange rushed for a game-high 267 yards and three touchdowns on just 13 carries. Jacob Lindstrom finished 9 of 12 for 241 yards and four touchdowns while adding 94 yards on the ground. Naselle (2-0) will next travel to Tacoma to take on Sound Christian (0-2) 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15.

Naselle volleyball

The Naselle girls volleyball team opened the season with loss to Onalaska on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The Comets lost in four sets against the Loggers (2-0). On Monday, Sept. 11, the Comets (1-1) held their first home match of the season where they swept the visiting Wahkiakum Mules (0-3) in three sets.

The Comets are slated to have four straight road games before returning home to face Pe Ell on Thursday, Sept. 28.