Ballard introduced two new coaches to their athletic department. Mark Nicholson will be taking over the boys soccer team, after long time coach Gary Hunter decided to step down. Also, Sara Wetstone was named the new girls basketball coach.

Hunter, a product of SPU, played under soccer legend Cliff McCrath. He built a strong program for Ballard soccer, coaching the girls’ team for four years before taking over the boys program. During his tenure, Hunter took his teams to the playoffs six times.

While Ballard is sad to be losing Hunter, they are excited about Nicholson. Nicholson, 27, has quite a pedigree when it comes to soccer. He graduated from Issaquah high school in 2002 as a varsity letter winner under 3-time state champion coach Tom Bunnell. His select soccer team also won the U-18 State Championship his senior year. After high school, Hunter became a long distance tri-athlete, competing in events such as the 2008 Ironman Boise and the 2009 Lake Stevens Ironman.

Ballard Athletic Director Carrie Burr spoke about Nicholson in a press release from the school.

“Coach Nicholson will be a great addition to the Beaver Athletic Staff and Community. I feel Ballard is very lucky to give someone like Nicholson a chance to start his head-coaching career at Ballard. He is energetic but firm and very structured. I feel Mark will take our boys soccer program to the next level.”

Nicholson is also excited to take over the team. “I’m very excited by the opportunity given by Ballard AD Carrie Burr, and I’m looking forward to the challenge in serving as the new boys soccer coach at Ballard High School,” he said. “I can’t wait until the first kick-off next year.”

Ballard finished 1-6-3 on the season last year.

The Ballard girls’ basketball team is ready to go, as is their new coach. Wetstone will be bringing an impressive athletic background with her to Ballard that includes twelve varsity letters from Lakeside high school in three different sports. There, Wetstone played point guard and was co-captain of a basketball program that went 96-1 in her last three years there. Her team won two state titles and were ranked 12th in the nation by USA Today, and Team of the Century by The Seattle Times.

At her alma mater Princeton, Wetstone was a two-year co-captain for the basketball team. She went on to play and coach basketball professionally in Denmark, but her career was cut short by a knee-injury. So she returned home to coach the North Seattle Community College’s basketball team, where she was named the NWAACC North Division’s Coach of the Year in her first season.
Off the court, Wetstone has a BA in philosophy. She also holds an MA in applied behavioral science from Bastyr University’s Leadership Institute of Seattle with a focus in coaching and consulting in organizations.

“I’m thrilled to be coaching at Ballard,” Wetstone said. “With an amazing school and team staff, supportive parents and hard-working student-athletes, we are primed for a re-emergence of greatness in the girls basketball program. I’m looking forward to seeing these girls step into their own potential, get tough, and experience the magic of teamwork.”

Burr shared Wetstone’s excitement.

““I have a lot of respect for Sara and how she coaches her teams. Her players not only receive top-notch instruction but become better human beings. Having coached against her, I am thrilled that Sara is finally not the opposition and is now part of the Beaver Nation.”

The Beaver girls’ basketball season kicks off soon, with a jamboree at King’s high school on Monday, November 28. The Beavers finished 3-17 last season, and will be looking to turn things around.