We know winter season is in full swing, and our athletes are deep in the grind. This week, we are spotlighting high school wrestling — a sport that demands toughness, discipline, and consistency every single day. Our wrestlers are competing at a high level, earning podium finishes, and representing Peninsula School District with grit and pride.

We are also hitting on something that impacts our athletes just as much as what happens on the mat or the court: our student sections. The energy in our gyms matters, and we want to make sure it is creating environments that are loud, positive, and supportive of our teams.

Hard work. High standards. Strong culture. Let’s jump in.

"Once you've wrestled, everything else in life is easy." - Dan Gable

Wrestling is different. There is no bench to hide on. No teammates to bail you out. No timeouts to catch your breath. When you step on that mat, it is just you and your opponent. Six minutes of pure physical and mental battle. Win or lose, you walk off that mat having given everything you have.

Our high school wrestlers, boys and girls, are competing at elite levels this season, and they are representing Peninsula School District with toughness, skill, and heart.

Head Coach: Gary Griffin

Assistant Coach: Zander Coakley

Assistant Coach: Chance Stolz

Assistant Coach: Seth Wahto

Assistant Coach: Jonny Walker

Assistant Coach: Mark Nickels

Volunteer Coach: Jake Ricco

Volunteer Coach: John Rosi

The Peninsula girls wrestling team is having an outstanding season, and the tournament results speak for themselves.

These are just a couple of examples of the success Peninsula girls wrestling is having this season. Bailey, Justus, Lindsey, and Lily are leading the way, but the entire roster is competing hard and improving with every match. This team is making a statement, and the season is far from over.

The Peninsula boys wrestling program is firing on all cylinders this season. With tournaments almost every weekend, careful weight management, and fierce competition, our athletes are showing up, competing at a high level, and representing the Seahawks with pride. High school wrestling builds character like few other sports. It teaches you how to push past exhaustion, handle adversity, and compete with discipline, respect, and heart. Our boys are learning those lessons every day, and it is paying off. They are stronger, sharper, and ready for every challenge.

Coach Griffin is driving this program to compete at the highest level, and the athletes are responding. With multiple state contenders on the mat this year, the energy, focus, and determination are off the charts. Keep grinding, stay locked in, and make every match count. The Tacoma Dome is waiting—let’s show them what Seahawks wrestling is made of!!!

Head Coach: Blake Moser

Assistant Coach: Lloyd Smith

Assistant Coach: Jeff Nimrick

Volunteer Coach: Adam Krumwiede

Volunteer Coach: Ben Windham

The Tides wrestling program is having a strong season, with athletes placing at major tournaments across the state. Coach Moser has built a program that emphasizes technique, toughness, and relentless work ethic; and it is showing in the results.

These athletes are competing against the best in the state and consistently finishing on the podium. That does not happen by accident; it happens because of discipline, sacrifice, and a refusal to settle for anything less than their best. The Tides wrestlers are putting in the work, and the results are proof.

High school wrestling takes everything learned at the middle school level and turns the intensity up several notches. The competition is faster and stronger. The tournaments are longer. The margin for error is smaller.

But the payoff is bigger.

Wrestling builds resilience. It teaches athletes how to respond after a tough loss, how to manage adversity, and how to stay disciplined when no one is watching. These athletes are developing skills that translate far beyond the mat — and that’s something worth celebrating.

To our Peninsula and Gig Harbor wrestlers: keep grinding. Your work matters, and it is being noticed!

Our student sections have the power to make games unforgettable, for the right reasons. When you bring energy that is loud, creative, and positive, you lift up your teams and make home courts and gyms a place everyone wants to compete in. 🙌

⚠️ But sometimes energy crosses the line. Chants mocking opponents, taunting individual players, disrespect toward officials, or interfering with the national anthem are not just “bad vibes” — they reflect poorly on our schools, athletes, and culture. The national anthem is a moment of pride and respect, and it is never acceptable to disrupt it. 🇺🇸

This is a reset, not a scolding. We want student sections to be the best in the league — not just the loudest.

At several recent games, chants and comments have moved from supporting our teams to targeting opponents or officials. That does not reflect who we are or what we stand for.

We compete hard. We do it with respect.

If we expect our athletes to model sportsmanship on the court, we must hold ourselves to that same standard in the stands.

At the Winter Athlete Academy, SALC students led a session on what makes an effective and positive student section. Their message was simple:

Cheer FOR your team: 🎉

Avoid cheering AGAINST opponents or officials: ❌

The goal is to create an atmosphere that fuels your team — not one that makes others uncomfortable.

Student sections set the tone:

The atmosphere you create affects your athletes’ experience and reflects on our entire school district.

We want Peninsula School District to be known for fierce competition and respect — places where teams know they are walking into a tough environment because our fans are passionate, positive, and proud.

Be the best student sections in the league, not just the loudest. Bring energy. Bring creativity. Bring support. Hold each other accountable and protect the culture you are creating.

We believe in you. Let’s show everyone what Peninsula pride looks like.

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

We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net

Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!