PHOTO: James Williamson leaves Northwest Nazerene University to become the Athletic Director at Prninsula College.
PORT ANGELES — There’s no question that Peninsula College has outstanding basketball programs. But the Pirates are known nationally for their NWAC-dominating soccer teams.
So it’s no surprise the college has turned to a soccer mind to lead its athletic department.
James Williamson has been hired to replace longtime and popular athletic director Rick Ross, who had been a fixture with the program for decades.
Williamson comes to Peninsula after serving as head coach for the past three years at Northwest Nazarene University, competing in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
During his tenure, the Nighthawks posted an 18-22-14 record in conference play and 11-13-10 in non-conference matchups. The program also produced 20 All-GNAC selections, including five first-team honorees.
Before that, Williamson was an assistant coach with the Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s soccer in 2021, helping recruit a class ranked 28th nationally.
He also served as head coach at his alma mater, Corban University, where he led the team to a 17-0-3 record in 2019.
Williamson earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science, with a minor in biblical studies, from Corban, and a master’s degree in coaching and athletic administration from Concordia University Irvine.
Originally from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Williamson and his wife Hannah have two daughters, Kai and Tenley. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, climbing, and fly fishing.
In softball action, Port Angeles defeated Olympic 7-3. Lynzee Reid picked up the win, pitching four innings with two strikeouts, while Allison Leitz earned the save with three innings of relief and six strikeouts.
At the plate, Kennedy Rognlien had a double and a single with two RBIs. Morgan Politika and Nyomie Colfax each added RBI doubles, while Sophia Ritchie drove in a run with a single. Mariah Disque had three hits and two RBIs, and Mariah Traband, Lynzee Reid, and Mikkhia Stevens also contributed hits.
In baseball today, Port Angeles hosts Bremerton and Sequim hosts North Kitsap, with both games scheduled for 4:15.
In tennis, Port Angeles travels to Kingston, while Sequim heads to Bremerton. Both matches begin at 4:00.