Sending More PNW Graduating Senior Sailors Off To Exciting New Adventures

As is true for student athletes in any high school sport, senior year is steeped in tradition for sailors around the Pacific Northwest. Each team has their own way of saying goodbye to those who are graduating and moving on to new adventures. For me, it meant recognition for my skipper and I at our end-of-season celebration with our friends and family, a handshake from my coach at my last regatta and, of course, the “senior splash” courtesy of my teammates. The “splash” tradition entails picking the seniors up, carrying them to the high section of the dock at Sail Sand Point (SSP), and pitching them into the water below (often fully clothed) at their last SSP regatta. I obviously would never condone this behavior due to the boldly printed NO SWIMMING signs…

But this year, the the spring sailing season was canceled. Outgoing seniors of the Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association (NWISA) didn’t get their victory lap around the buoys. They didn’t have the opportunity to feel the warmth of community recognition in the typical ways. Thus, we will honor their commitment to their programs and personal progress and on the water in a different fashion.

48° North has teamed up with local coaches to congratulate senior sailors around the region, and to showcase the future generation of the sport of sailing. Although we can’t present them with flowers at a banquet, shake their hands, or toss them into Lake Washington; we want these sailors to know that all of us in the sailing community of the Pacific Northwest are proud of what they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what their futures hold.

Part one congratulated seniors from the Willamette Sailing Club. Part two those from Newport High School, Port Townsend High School, and Bainbridge High School. Part three recognized graduating seniors from the Gorge Sailing Team. The fourth installment spotlighted graduating senior sailors from Olympia.

Nathan Hale High School

Zoe Plattner
High School: Nathan Hale
Plan for the future: WWU
How did you get started sailing? Youth summer camps at SSP

Coach note: “Zoe embodies Sail Sand Point in so many ways and I really can’t think of a better example of the impact sailing and SSP can have on teens. Zoe has shown amazing growth over her four years on the team; as a sailor for sure, but more importantly as a person. From a shy freshman, who I had to constantly bug to show up to practice and commit to attending events, to the confident team captain of the NH team who prioritized focusing on recruitment and team legacy in her senior year.”

Jack Rovner
High School: Nathan Hale
Plan for the future: Either Cal Poly or Colorado School of Mines
How did you get started sailing? Youth summer camps at SSP

Coach note: “Jack is ‘The Natural’ of SSP HS sailing, but as the saying goes, showing up is half the battle! Jack is (naturally) a jack-of-all-trades, who has a list of skills and hobbies I struggled to keep track of, but whenever he competed and practiced for his team, he brought his A game. Perhaps we will see Jack on the Cal Poly team in the future. Either way watch out because he’s got ‘off the couch’ skills!”

Ingraham High School

Maks Groom
High School: Ingraham High School
Plan for the future: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
How did you get started sailing? “I took a few sailing classes through the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation, mostly in order to try something new. I started sailing competitively with Kingston Beach Sailing Club in Tasmania as a way of continuing sailing and getting time on the water.”

Coach note: “It has been an absolute pleasure getting to work with Maks over the past four years. He and his friends are some of the smartest cookies out there. And while it was touch and go at times due to his IB workload, I could tell early on that the spark had taken hold. He exhibits excellent sportsmanship and is one of the more coachable sailors I have worked with. Maks is always looking for ways to improve on his team’s next set (A and B), even if his boat just won the A fleet set!”

 

Maya Outhred
High School: Ingraham High School
Plan for the future: University of Washington
How did you get started sailing? “Technically, I lost a bet. However, I mostly wanted to try something new my senior year that was out of my comfort zone, and allowed me to spend time with my friends.”

Coach note: “Maya picked up the sport quicker than most last summer/fall and brought so much to the team, especially by developing alongside Kira as a very smart and fast pair. Wish we had been able to see what a full season of that combo looked like! Look for Maya to continue her exponential trajectory in the sport if she continues sailing in college at UW.”

 

Duncan Weiner
High School: Ingraham High School
Plan for the future: University of Washington
How did you get started sailing? “What first drew me in was a want and a need for exercise and something to do with my time. The community, structure, and time in nature it provided are what kept me. That I was able to pick it up relatively quickly didn’t hurt either.”

Coach note: “Duncan has one of my favorite walk-on stories of the past decade of HS sailing at SSP. From brand new to sailing to an unassuming top level crew in the district, what a journey! Way to master the sport in your ‘free time’ and support your friends. I hope to see Duncan continue on in college sailing at UW.”

Aragorn Crozier
High School: Ingraham High School
Plan for the future: University of Washington
How did you get started sailing? “I took my first sailing summer camp at Sail Sand Point when I was 11 years old. At first, it was merely an interesting hobby but every year I would learn a little more, until my freshman year when a few of my friends convinced me I should try the high school race team. From then on, I’ve sailed with some of the same friends, as well as some new friends that have joined over the years.”

Coach note: “Among other things, Aragorn’s sense of humor and overall lovable goofiness will be sorely missed from our HS team, although I do fully expect to see these traits on display at SSP for years to come as an instructor and UW sailor. Thanks for keeping things light for your teammates and coaches over the last four years and for continuing to push yourself and those around you during your time in HS sailing.”

 

Roosevelt High School

Maxwell Pleskoff
High School: Roosevelt High School
Plan for the future: Wherever I go to college I will sail, hopefully (probably ASU or UW)
How did you get started sailing? “I have been around sailboats as long as I can remember. My parents encouraged me to think about high school racing when I was in fourth grade, I forgot about it until second semester of my freshman year when I heard about it somewhere at school. I enjoy sailing because of the mix of athleticism, and some leisurely moments—also the adrenaline rush in high wind, and team camaraderie.” 

Coach note: “Max is the biggest team player at Roosevelt High School. As a dedicated crew, he has devoted his senior year to the development of young skippers, not only as sailors, but also as welcomed members of the team. Max’s infectious positivity will certainly be missed at Sail Sand Point next year!”

Miles Williams
High School: Roosevelt High School
Plan for the future: University of Rhode Island
How did you get started sailing? “I can attribute my joining the sport of sailing to a racing camp I took one summer in middle school, which led me to go to a SPYS team practice. I had always enjoyed sailing and I had tried SPOT, but it wasn’t until then that I finally felt at home on that team.”

Coach note: “Miles is a selfless sailor. Although he sails at an elite level, Miles knows that the key to success is rooted in the development of his teammates and friends. Miles rarely misses a practice, and dedicates his whole self to improving every single day. The Sail Sand Point team will not be the same without him.”

Sam Kimmel
High School: Roosevelt High School
Plan for the future: University of Hawaii

Coach note: “Sam brings a quiet confidence to the sport of sailing. His calm demeanor helps his teammates and friends focus their minds towards competitive success. Although he is a talented skipper, Sam knew that his team would be the most successful if he took the role of crew and play a strong supporting role to his younger teammates. Good work Sam!”

 

Inglemoor High School

Ella Barnard
High School: Inglemoor High School
Plan for the future: Western Washington University
How did you get started sailing? “My friend invited me to try sailing with him and I fell in love with it after one practice.”

Coach note: “Ella’s dedication to the sport of sailing was demonstrated every single day when she was the first to arrive to practice. Ella is the first to show that success in sailing happens not only on the water, but also off. She is the first to offer assistance to her teammates and competitors, and for that she will be greatly missed.”

Jessica Reeves
High School: Inglemoor High School
Plan for the future: University of Washington
How did you get started sailing? I was always captivated by my moms stories of sailing in the Bay Area, which brought me to joining the sailing team. I quickly realized, through the sailing community, of the under representation of women and that’s what motivates me everyday to pursue sailing and work harder.”

Coach note: “Jessica brings a positive light to the entire team. She is an excellent skipper with an infectious desire to improve her skills at every practice. Her enthusiasm and dedication trickles to every member of the team. I can’t wait to see what she puts her mind to next.”