BHS Athletic Director

Eric Ensign
206-252-1076
erensign@seattleschools.org

Bio: I graduated from BHS in 1991 I played basketball I came back to Ballard High School because without Ballard athletics, I wouldn’t be where I am today. High School sports helped me stay motivated and from my experience, it led me to go into coaching and teaching as a career. I’ve always been proud to be a Beaver!

Athletic Secretary

206-252-1000

Attendance Secretary

Alice March
ammarch@seattleschools.org

Fiscal Specialist

Lattphyuphyu Thant
lathant@seattleschools.org

Strength and Conditioning Coach

Email: Colin Matthiesen
CJMatthiesen@seattleschools.org

Follow updates on Instagram @ballardstrength and @bhs_athleticboosterclub.

Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach

Ian Essig
Email: ilessig@seattleschools.org

Bio / April 2026: I’m excited to step into the role of Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Ballard High School. Ballard has always been home to me — I grew up just across the street from the Ballard Boys & Girls Club and graduated from BHS in 2009, where I played football, basketball, and track.

I currently serve as a Special Education Instructional Assistant, working in both high-needs and general education settings, and as a staff co-advisor for the Ballard Black & Brown Student Union.

Since 2019, I’ve also had the privilege of coaching Ballard Football, currently serving as Associate Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Head of Football Analytics. I believe in Beaver Strength because any student can participate — from students new to training to those preparing to compete at the college level. I’m passionate about assisting in the weight room so it can continue to be an energetic, encouraging, and safe place to be. With the addition of data-tracking sheets, athletes and coaches are now able to monitor their progress in the weight room and keep them motivated to improve.

Athletic Trainer

Loka Murphy
Email: loka.murphy@seattlechildrens.org

Bio / 2024: I have served as the athletic trainer for Ballard High School for almost 19 years (August of 2006). I am employed by Seattle Children’s Hospital, but I am contracted out to the Seattle Public Schools to provide athletic training services to Ballard High School. My job as an athletic trainer is very rewarding and filled with lots of variety as I work with high school athletes to navigate their injuries and come up with solutions.

I was born and raised in Missoula, MT, with my school-age summers spent in California with my mom. I always loved athletics and what I lacked in skill I made up in hard work and effort. My dad owned a restaurant in Missoula and both my sister and I worked many hours there. I graduated from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in health and human performance, with an emphasis in athletic training. That summer I moved to Seattle with my wife at the time and our two boys. That August, I began working with Ballard HS. During that time Virginia Mason oversaw the athletic training program and their model was to have one athletic trainer for every two high schools. Fortunately for me, my position was only for Ballard HS in large part due to Jim Vatn, Phil Brockman, and the Ballard Foundation. Mr. Vatn wanted BHS to have their own athletic trainer. His daughter had suffered a knee injury the spring prior and no one was there to attend to her injury. Two and a half years into my job, Seattle Children’s Hospital donated $46,000 to create a sports medicine program through the Career and Technical Education department.

For two and a half years, I was a full-time employee of SPS. I taught two sports medicine classes a semester and provided athletic training services after school. That lasted until budget cuts in the state ended to program. At that point I was hired by Seattle Children’s Hospital, who in the meantime had taken over the athletic training program. Over the years I have seen many practices and sporting events as well as managed a variety of injuries from blisters, broken bones, dislocated joints, muscle strains, ligament sprains and concussions. Through it all, I have been grateful for the support and inclusivity I have felt from Ballard HS and the surrounding community. On a personal side, I am happily re-married. My two boys no longer seem like boys as they are 20 and 24, kind and caring men and both live in my hometown.

I fell in love with running a year or two into my career at Ballard HS and have spent many early mornings running around the north Seattle area. I also started a running group (the Seattle Green Lake Running Group) and that has provided ample challenges, growth in my organizing skills and much satisfaction in seeing it flourish. My wife and I are very active in our church, we enjoy hiking in the summer, and I am discovering that I enjoy going on road trips. Learn more about Loka in this historical review article that was posted in the Ballard HS Student Paper The Talisman!

I’m grateful for the opportunity — helping BHS students grow stronger and become more confident. Go Beavs!

Boys Cross Country

Fall Sport
Email for practices and paperwork: 
Head Coach: Day Frostenson; dkfrostenson@seattleschools.org

Girls Cross Country

Fall Sport
Email for practices and paperwork: 
Head Coach: Day Frostenson; dkfrostenson@seattleschools.org

Football

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Ian Essig
ilessig@seattleschools.org

I am extremely excited and deeply grateful to be named the Interim Head Football Coach at Ballard High School May 2026. As a 2009 BHS graduate, this program is incredibly close to my heart. I personally wore my Ballard jersey to the state championship game in 2004, witnessing our team play on the grandest high school sports state in Washington State. While we have a road ahead of us to return to that state, that is the exact vision I hold for our future. Ballard has been my home since 1997, and it will continue to be my home for decades to come.

I believe in Beaver Strength because any student can participate, from students new to training to those preparing to compete at the college level. I’m passionate about assisting in the weight room so it can continue to be an energetic, encouraging, and safe place to be. With the addition of data tracking sheets, athletes and coaches are now able to monitor their progress in the weight room and keep them motivated to improve. I’m grateful for the opportunity — helping BHS students grow stronger and become more confident. Go Beavs!

Boys Golf

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Katie Walser
kbwalser@seattleschools.org

Hi Beavers! I’m excited to step into the role of Varsity Head Coach for the Ballard Boys and Girls Golf program. As a high school and DIII college athlete, golf has shaped my life in more ways than I can describe. I picked up golf thanks to my Dad, who took my brothers and me out on the course as kids. Playing competitive golf in high school and at the University of Texas at Dallas taught me hard work, discipline, patience, and leadership – all skills I hope to pass along to the athletes in the BHS Golf Program. The joy of being a part of a team is immeasurable. 

Outside of coaching golf, I am also a Social Studies and English teacher at BHS. In my free time, I love to travel – this summer that included a road trip to Chicago and three weeks in Portugal. My free time is often spent doing art (ceramics and painting primarily) or hiking/camping with my partner, Viet. 

I can’t wait to get out on the links with my fellow Beavers! It is going to be a fantastic year for BHS Golf! 

Girls Golf

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Katie Walser
kbwalser@seattleschools.org

Hi Beavers! I’m excited to step into the role of Varsity Head Coach for the Ballard Boys and Girls Golf program. As a high school and DIII college athlete, golf has shaped my life in more ways than I can describe. I picked up golf thanks to my Dad, who took my brothers and me out on the course as kids. Playing competitive golf in high school and at the University of Texas at Dallas taught me hard work, discipline, patience, and leadership – all skills I hope to pass along to the athletes in the BHS Golf Program. The joy of being a part of a team is immeasurable. 

Outside of coaching golf, I am also a Social Studies and English teacher at BHS. In my free time, I love to travel – this summer that included a road trip to Chicago and three weeks in Portugal. My free time is often spent doing art (ceramics and painting primarily) or hiking/camping with my partner, Viet. 

I can’t wait to get out on the links with my fellow Beavers! It is going to be a fantastic year for BHS Golf!

Girls Soccer

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Taryn Brandell
tebrandel@seattleschools.org

Follow them on Instagram: @ballardgirlssoccer

I’m excited to step into the role of Varsity Head Coach and program lead for Ballard High School Girls’ Soccer. After serving as an assistant coach over the past few seasons, I’m incredibly proud to continue working with this special group of student-athletes and help lead the program into its next chapter.

Soccer has been a lifelong passion—I played competitively growing up and through college, and have spent the past decade coaching and staying close to the game I love. My goal is to build a competitive, inclusive, and tight-knit program culture—where players thrive as athletes, leaders, and teammates.

Outside of soccer, I work in brand marketing and live in Green Lake with my boyfriend, Michael, and our very spoiled 10-year-old rescue dog, Lola. I’m originally from Flagstaff, Arizona, and a proud alum of Gonzaga University (Go Zags)! When I’m not on the pitch, I love exploring local coffee shops, walking the lake, traveling, and cheering on women’s sports. I can’t wait to kick off the season. Go Beavers!

Women’s Softball, Slowpitch

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Dale Griffith
ddgriffith@seattleschools.org

Girls Swim & Dive

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Tom Keenan
thkeenan@seattleschools.org

Volleyball

Fall Sport
Head Coach: Zach Wurtz
zawurtz@seattleschools.org
Instagram: @ballardvolleyball

Boys Basketball

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Carlos Shay
jcshay@seattleschools.org

Hello Beavers! I’m Coach Carlos Shay, and I am excited to be leading the Ballard Boys Basketball Program!

I’ve been involved with coaching basketball in the greater Seattle area for the past 6 years, most recently at Edmonds – Woodway for a year and Seattle Prep for 5 years where I also have been a Spanish teacher for the past 3 years. I grew up as a military brat, often moving to and living in different parts of the world in my youth but was raised primarily in Spain where half of my family is from. I’m passionate about developing student-athletes to excel on the court but also grow as a person and translate those skills learned on the court into lifelong skills.

When I’m not coaching basketball, I love traveling, watching movies, and exploring new cuisines around the world! I’m excited to be a part of such a welcoming community and continue to grow this program!

Girls Basketball

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Ani Garaventa
aggaraventa@seattleschools.org

Gymnastics

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Stephanie Gundel
sjgundel@seattleschools.org 
Instagram: @ballardgymnastics

Boys Swim & Dive

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Kyle Morean
kimorean@seattleschools.org
(Metro League Coach of the Year 22-23)

Boys Wrestling

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Jared Daniels
jmdaniels1@seattleschools.org

Girls Wrestling

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Jared Daniels
jmdaniels1@seattleschools.org

Bowling

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Zach Wurtz
zawurtz@seattleschools.org
Instagram: @ballardgirlsbowling

Flag Football

Winter Sport
Head Coach: Tui Vaeena
tavaeena@seattleschools.org

Announcement

Flag Football Newest Sport Sanctioned by WIAA: On Monday April 21, 2025, WIAA announced a vote to add Girls Flag Football as a sanctioned sport. The Beavers already have an inclusive, no-cut Flag Football team that just finished its third year of competition. According to former ABC Community Outreach Chair Beth Sylves, this is the first sport added to the WIAA roster since 1999! Go Flag Football!

Baseball

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Doug Montgomery
dpmontgomery@seattleschools.org

Boys Soccer

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Clark Murray
camurray@seattleschools.org

Girls Softball, Fastpitch

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Dale Griffith
ddgriffith@seattleschools.org

Boys Tennis

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Angel Le
tvle@seattleschools.org

Girls Tennis

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Angel Le
tvle@seattleschools.org

Boys Track & Field

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Neal Howard
nfhoward@seattleschools.org

Girls Track & Field

Spring Sport
Head Coach: Neal Howard
nfhoward@seattleschools.org

Boys Lacrosse

Club Sport
Head Coach: Ray Pryphun
raypryphun@gmail.com
Website: Boys Lacrosse

Girls Lacrosse

Club Sport
Head Coach: Rachel Moody
rachelmoody29@gmail.com
Website: Girls Lacrosse
Instagram: @bhs_girlslax

Sail Team

Club Sport
Head Coach: Annie Sorensen
juniorsprogram@cycseattle.org

Ultimate Frisbee

Club Sport

• Fall Sport (Boys)
• Winter Sport (Coed)
• Spring Sport (Girls) 

Head Coaches: Stephen Semmens and Ximmy Hofsetz.
Parent Volunteers: Genie and Shelby at email: BallardUltimate@gmail.com 
Club Info & Registration at BallardUltimate.org

Cheer

Year Round
Coach: Alicia Edgerly
abedgerly@seattleschools.org
Information on the Cheer Website
Information on Competitive Cheer on the Metro League site.

Alicia previously Coached at Sammamish high school for 7 years where they won 3 state titles. She Is excited to be the new head coach of Ballard cheer; her dream coaching job. When not coaching she is a Math teacher at Jane Addams Middle school and enjoys traveling and being the “fun auntie” to her 7 nieces and nephews. 

Dance

Year Round
Bethany Nielcen
blnielcen@seattleschools.org
Information on the BHS Dance Team Website
Official Instagram: @ballardhsdanceteam
Information on Dance and Drill on the Metro League site.

Basketball, Unified

Unified
Club Sport
Head Coach: Jeff Hanson
jshanson@seattleschools.org

Athletes can sign up through FinalForms for the program’s winter basketball season, or email Jeff for more information at jshanson@seattleschools.org. Follow @ballard_unified.

Visit the Metro League site for updates.

Soccer, Unified

Unified
Club Sport
Head Coach: Jeff Hanson
jshanson@seattleschools.org

Athletes can sign up through FinalForms for the program’s winter basketball season, or email Jeff for more information at jshanson@seattleschools.org. Follow @ballard_unified.

Visit the Metro League site for updates.