Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame's 2022 class grateful for honors, support
POULSBO — Chad Nass received sage advice from his wife prior to his speech at Saturday's Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame ceremony at Kiana Lodge.
"Stick to your notes. Don't go over your time. And whatever you do, don't try to be funny," said the former South Kitsap High School wrestling coach, a comment which brought about plenty of laughter.
Nass made sure to use the remainder of his five minutes at the podium to thank the folks that helped him become one of the most successful high school coaches in West Sound during his time (2004-2021) leading South Kitsap's wrestling program. The Wolves won 14 regular season league titles and, in 2018, became the first wrestling team in Kitsap County history to win a team title at Mat Classic.
"I think if I had one word to describe my experience," said Nass, a 10-time league and five-time regional wrestling coach of the year, "it would be grateful."
Gratitude was a common theme during the ceremony as 11 individuals and two teams were honored during the three-hour event. Here's a list of the inductees:
Morrie Black-Eagle received the Rex Brown Distinguished Service Award. The 1967 graduate of East Bremerton High School was a three-sport standout who earned two degrees at WSU, worked to establish Title IV Indian Education programs in Bremerton and two others school districts, and served as deputy executive director for the Suquamish Tribe.
Rickie Brown earned the Dick Todd Officials Award. The West Bremerton graduate worked football and basketball games for nearly three decades before retiring in 2010.
Jake Velarde, a 2013 North Kitsap graduate, become the first Kitsap County wrestler to win four state titles at Mat Classic. He finished his four-year career with the Vikings with a record of 157-5.
Drew Vettleson earned Gatorade Washington Player of the Year honors in baseball in 2009 and 2010. The 2010 Central Kitsap graduate, who could pitch with both arms, went 42nd overall to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 draft. He retired as an outfielder in 2017.
Larry Dixon graduated from Olympic High in 2010 as the all-time leading rusher in West Sound football history (5,182 yards). Also a standout in basketball and track and field, Dixon played fullback at Army. He's actually a member of the 2021 Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame class. Travel issues last year postponed his ceremony attendance.
John Fullington, a 2010 North Mason graduate, played three sports for the Bulldogs before playing four seasons on the offensive line at WSU. He spent time with Green Bay, San Francisco, Arizona and New Orleans before retiring from the NFL in 2018.
Nicole Zygmontowicz Reilly helped lead Klahowya to a girls soccer state title in 1999 before transferring to Central Kitsap and becoming a three-sport star with the Cougars. The 2003 CK grad played collegiate soccer at Houston and Evansville.
Golfer Ryan Kelly, a 1992 Central Kitsap graduate, played golf at Oregon State University before turning pro for a time. He's a five-time winner of the Kitsap Amateur.
Howard Thoemke led West Bremerton High to three top-six finishes as a basketball player during the 1950s. As a coach, Thoemke's Olympic High boys team won the 2A state title in 1983.
Winfred Lim guided Bremerton High to the 1951 Cross-State League champion, capture a junior college title with Olympic College and played three seasons as the No. 1 singles player at Seattle University.
South Kitsap's 1995 fastpitch team, led by head coach Kathy Ballew, won the 3A state title to finish the season 24-2. The Wolves placed fourth in 1994 and second in 1996, boasting a 43-game win streak at one point.
West Bremerton High's 1969 football team finished No. 4 in the Associated Press and United Press International state polls after finishing 9-1 with seven shutouts. The team's lone loss was a 3-0 defeat against Central Kitsap in the season-opener.
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Kitsap Sports Hall of Fame's 2022 class grateful for honors, support
