Prep Notebook | Turner to coach at Oak Harbor

Jay Turner, a long-time assistant coach at Oak Harbor High School, has been promoted to head football coach following the retirement of Dave Ward.

Turner, 36, has been on the Wildcats' staff 12 years, the last eight as defensive coordinator. His promotion came as little surprise to those inside the program; he had been groomed for the position the last couple years.

"It's something that we had planned, but I'm definitely excited that now it's become official," said Turner, also a math teacher at the school.

Turner played football and basketball for Marysville-Pilchuck High School and was a Star Times all-area selection in basketball in 1990. He also was a football defensive lineman at the University of Montana.

Turner joined Oak Harbor's coaching staff in 1995.

"He's put in a lot of time at Oak Harbor," Ward said. "He's been a part of our winning tradition. He knows what we've done to get where we are. I think he's a natural fit."

Turner had been a prospect for other head coaching positions the last couple years, but said being at Oak Harbor was what he wanted.

Ward, who plans to work at coaches clinics, coached the Wildcats to a 111-67 record in 17 seasons, including a Class 4A state championship in 2006. His final Oak Harbor team went 11-1, losing in the quarterfinals to Bothell.

Sealth home games moved

Storm water damaged the gym floor at Chief Sealth High School in December and the decision has been made to play all home boys and girls basketball games the rest of the season at Boren Middle School in West Seattle.

Sealth rearranged its schedule after the damage occurred and played home league games on the road.

The Sealth student body will occupy Boren Middle School beginning next year, when a major reconstruction project begins at Sealth.

The gym floor at Sealth is still being used for some physical-education activities.

Notes

• Brianna Speed, an All-KingCo 4A senior defender from Lake Washington of Kirkland, has signed a letter of intent to play women's soccer for Evergreen State College.

• Sophomore Andrea Nelson, the Class 4A state champion from Shadle Park of Spokane, was named Gatorade girls cross country runner of the year for Washington.

Times staff reporter Craig Smith contributed to this report.