Royal School District

Lady Knights finished their state tournament run tied for 7th place after a loss to College Place and ended the season with a record of 20 wins and 9 losses. Team statistics include: • 263 hits • 44 doubles • 8 triples • 8 home runs • 262 runs scored • 129 runs against Lady Knight's pitcher, Jill Allred racked up a whopping 220 strikeouts this season finishing her High School career with the school record of 810 strikeouts. Thank you for the hard work, heart, and dedication all season long! We are proud of you!

The Knights battled their way to the state tournament this season behind strong pitching, consistent offense, and a lineup that competed every single game. Royal finished the year with a stellar team batting average of .325, proving this group could put pressure on opponents from top to bottom in the order. On the mound, the Knights leaned on a dominant pitching staff all season long. Ernie led the charge with 53 innings pitched and 66 strikeouts, while also posting a team-best .475 batting average at the plate. Mason added another strong arm to the rotation, throwing 34 innings with 44 strikeouts, and Karson delivered electric performances of his own with 46 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched. Offensively, Bryan Larsen sparked the lineup all year, scoring a team-high 37 runs and helping fuel the Knights’ attack. From big innings to clutch performances and relentless effort, this team represented Royal Baseball with toughness, pride, and heart all season long.

Royal Boys Soccer is heading into the WIAA State Tournament after battling their way to a 4th place finish at Districts and earning the #7 seed in the state bracket! The road ahead won’t be easy, but this squad has spent the entire season proving they belong among Washington’s best. The Knights open state play on Friday at 5:00 PM against Elma in a loser-out matchup. Survive and advance is the name of the game, as the tournament remains single elimination through the Semifinals. With a win Friday, Royal would move on to face powerhouse #2 seed Vashon in the quarterfinal round. This team has shown grit, chemistry, and relentless effort all season long, and now they get the chance to chase something special on the biggest stage. Pack the sidelines, bring the noise, and let’s back the Knights as they make their state tournament run!

Cael Orth wrapped up an outstanding junior season by representing Royal at the WIAA 1A Boys State Tennis Championships. After beginning his tennis journey just last season and qualifying for state as an alternate, Cael took a major step forward this year with a breakout season that showcased his dedication, growth, and work ethic. His offseason commitment paid off in a big way, helping him earn a 2nd place finish at the district tournament and a trip to state competition in Yakima. Competing at the state level is one of the toughest challenges in high school tennis, and Cael represented Royal Athletics with determination, composure, and pride. We’re proud of the way Cael competed all season long and excited for what the future holds as he continues to grow on and off the court. Go Knights!

Royal Track & Field is sending an outstanding group of athletes to the WIAA State Championships after a strong performance at the district meet! From explosive sprint finishes to clutch relay performances and field event success, the Knights showed up in a big way when it mattered most. State qualifiers for the boys include Troy McCullough in the 400m, Brycen Fitzhugh in the 300m hurdles, Manny Ruvalcaba in high jump, and the boys 4x400 relay team of Troy McCullough, Brycen Fitzhugh, Dax Jenks, and Esteban Torres. On the girls side, Maggie Frank qualified in javelin, Justine Fitzhugh advanced in triple jump, and the girls 4x400 relay team of Rebecca Carlson, Lauren Wardenaar, Maggie Frank, and Justine Fitzhugh captured a district title to punch their ticket to state. Congratulations to all of our state qualifiers and alternates for representing Royal with pride, determination, and hard work. Let’s go compete on the biggest stage!

Congrats to Jill Allred, our April student athlete of the month! Jill is a standout 1A softball player across the state as both a pitcher and a hitter. She has surpassed 730 career strikeouts this season, setting a new school record, and is one of the strongest hitters on the team, batting .515 as our leadoff hitter. She is a three-year captain and a great leader on the team. Jill is respected by opponents and well known by coaches, teams, and umpires as one of the best 1A pitchers in the state, not only for her performance but also for her sportsmanship, positive attitude, and competitive spirit. She has been instrumental to Royal softball’s success all four years as a starter, including a state championship in 2024 when she pitched every inning of the season, as well as last year’s fifth-place state finish, where she also pitched every inning. Jill holds numerous school records, including the strikeout record, which continues to grow as the season progresses.