Coupeville Sports

Former Wolf needs support of Island community

July 22, 2026 by David Svien

Brianna Wells-Watson

Friends and family have launched a GoFundMe to help the daughter of my former landlord after a traumatic health issue.

Brianna Wells-Watson, who attended Coupeville schools, lived right above my Penn Cove-facing duplex for many years, including when her late mom Sandy was my go-to person for paying rent.

Brianna, who has worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, suffered a heart attack July 16, caused by familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol and significantly increases the risk of early heart disease.

Emergency surgery to remove a critical blockage in her left anterior descending coronary artery saved her life, but she has lost approximately 10% of her heart function.

Brianna is also dealing with other health challenges, including lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, and adenomyosis, while her husband is epileptic and had major reconstructive surgery just three months ago.

After the heart attack, she “faces a long road of healing that includes cardiology appointments, cardiac rehabilitation, medications, lifestyle changes, and most importantly, reducing stress so her heart has the best chance to recover.”

The GoFundMe was set up in an effort to help the family deal with overwhelming medical costs as well as daily expenses for a family of four.

“Instead of another heartbreaking story, let’s make this one a story of hope, compassion, and neighbors coming together to lift up one of our own just like our wonderful community does!” wrote the creators of the fundraiser.

“For more than 20 years, Brianna has dedicated her life to caring for others. She has spent her career comforting patients, supporting families, and showing up every day with kindness, strength, and compassion.

“Together, we can turn this frightening chapter into a story of hope, love, and a community that refused to let one of its own face this battle alone.”

For more info and to help out, pop over to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/oak-harbor-rallies-for-briannas-healing-journey

Posted in Fundraisers | Tagged Brianna Wells, CHS Wolves, fundraiser, GoFundMe, heart attack | Leave a Comment »

Artistic by nature, awesome by achievement

July 21, 2026 by David Svien

Helen Strelow, a master of many worlds. (Photo courtesy Brian Strelow)

“She is an amazing person. Artist, scholar, athlete, and one of the kindest people anyone could ever know.”

During her days in Coupeville, Helen Strelow soared, scoring big in multiple worlds, as evidenced by the words of her tennis coach, Ken Stange.

Was there anything Strelow couldn’t do? I doubt it.

She finished her CHS run with a 4.0 GPA, was one of two valedictorians for the Class of 2023, and was already wowing folks with her artwork and photography.

A glimpse at one of her many artistic pieces. (Photo courtesy Brian Strelow)

That embrace of her artistic side continues to show during her college days at Montana State University, where Strelow is pursuing a BFA in painting and a minor in art history.

During her time in Bozeman, the former Wolf has been involved in multiple projects, including creating storyboards for a student film, working on two children’s books, and designing and producing puppet lanterns for the Gallatin Valley Winter Bloom parade.

While she’s conquering new worlds and impressing a whole new crowd these days, Strelow’s first big impact came back when she was repping the red and black.

A gifted cross country runner and tennis player, she advanced to the state championships three times during her CHS playing days, two as a harrier and one as a netter.

No tennis ball shall escape her. (Jackie Saia photo)

During her senior season on the courts, Strelow went 11-3 for a 2B program, with her only loss during the regular season coming against a 3A rival.

Once she hit the postseason, everything just clicked for the quietly efficient serve and volleyer, as she earned a Tri-District singles crown, sparking the Wolves to a team title as well.

Off to Eastern Washington for state, she played three matches at the big dance across two days and is one of the few Wolf netters to capture a state win, bouncing a rival from Lake Roosevelt in straight sets.

It was the sixth and final time Stange took players to state during a two decade-plus coaching career, as he and Strelow departed together, but not before Coupeville tennis collected an academic state title for having the highest team GPA among all 2B schools.

As he reflected on his final season, and the serene ace at the core of the team, Stange delivered one final note of approval.

“She improved from week to week, day to day, on a consistent basis. Helen certainly has a spot on my all-time CHS team!”

Running at the front of the pack. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Tennis wasn’t Strelow’s only game, though, as she was also played a key part in the revival of Coupeville’s cross country program, running all four years during her high school days.

Over the course of four campaigns, she racked up 11 top ten finishes, including winning an individual title at the Northwest 2B/1B League Championships as a junior.

Strelow advanced to state in her final two seasons, with the latter of those efforts coming as CHS sent its entire girls’ trail team to state for the first time since the 1980’s.

Her times remain some of the best in program history, as well, as she currently sits #1 among all Wolf girls in 5,439-meter races and #2 all-time in both 3.1 and 3.2-mile events.

When I look back on the history of CHS athletics, especially on the last 14 years as I’ve written this blog, she stands tall as one of the shining examples of everything you love to see from a student/athlete.

So today, way past time, we take a moment to induct Helen Strelow into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, honoring her for her work as an athlete, but also as an artist and student.

After this you’ll find her hanging out at the top of the blog under the Legends tab, an ideal spot for a young woman of such rare quality.

PS — If you want to see what Strelow is up to these days, check out her work at:

https://helenstrelow.com/

Posted in Hall o' Fame | Tagged artwork, CHS Wolves, cross country, girls tennis, Hall of Fame, Helen Strelow | Leave a Comment »

Sluggers collect summer base knocks

July 20, 2026 by David Svien

Sydney (left) and Cami Van Dyke combined for six hits at a softball tourney this past weekend. (Photo courtesy Colleen Van Dyke)

It’s summer and the softballs are still soaring.

The high school season is in the books, but Coupeville’s mighty mashers, fresh off a return trip to the state tourney, are all playing for various travel ball squads.

Wolf slugger Chelsi Stevens has been swatting hits for the Stilly Venom 16U out of Arlington, while CHS grad Teagan Calkins made the highlight reel this past weekend for Elevate NW 18U, crashing over the outfield fence to rob a rival of a home run.

Meanwhile, the squad with the biggest Wolf contingent, the Island Vipers 16U, played four games at a tourney in Lynnwood.

The diamond queens, who feature seven Coupeville sluggers on their roster, were missing four players who hail from other schools as they are off in Europe at the moment.

To fill out the roster, Vipers coach Aaron Lucero called up three South Whidbey players from the 14U squad and picked up a temporary fill-in from Chehalis.

“Overall, the players did great,” Lucero said. “We had our opportunities and were never out of any game, just couldn’t string it together at the right times it seemed.

“They stayed positive throughout and battled to the last pitch.”

Eight of nine players in this photo wear Wolf uniforms during the high school season. (Photo courtesy Kristi Stevens)

While absorbing narrow 8-5, 5-1, and 2-0 losses, with the first of those three coming against Stevens and her Venom teammates, the Vipers also put together a resounding 10-2 decimation of the Aberdeen RipTide for the highlight of the weekend.

“I told the team that this is about getting better every time they step on the field,” Lucero said. “Every rep is more experience than many of their peers who don’t play throughout the summer and put in the work.

“And champions are built in the offseason!”

The Vipers close out summer play next weekend with a tourney in Kent, then have some time off before the start of a new school year.

Weekend stats:

Capri Anter — Two singles, three walks
Haylee Armstrong — Seven singles, two walks
Emma Cushman — One single
Sawyer Dill — Two singles
Caleigh Egerton — One single, one walk
Elle Linaberry — One single
Ava Lucero — Two singles, one double
Adeline Maynes — Two singles
Sophia McMernerny — Two singles, one double
Cami Van Dyke — Four singles
Sydney Van Dyke — Two singles

Posted in Softball | Tagged Cami Van Dyke, CHS Wolves, Haylee Armstrong, Island Vipers, Softball | Leave a Comment »

Help House closes for remodel

July 20, 2026 by David Svien

The North Whidbey Help House is getting a remodel.

Whidbey Island’s busiest food bank is shutting the doors for a week, but it’s for a good reason.

The North Whidbey Help House, which celebrated its 49th anniversary last week, calls a 100+ year old house on Oak Harbor’s Hathaway Street its home, sweet home.

Now, thanks to donors, the historical building is getting some much-needed revamps, with flooring being redone and carpets replaced.

That will necessitate a closure from Monday, July 27 through at least Friday, July 31.

The remodel follows on the heels of a revamp to the parking lot in front of the outdoor produce stand which sits next to the main home.

While the goal is to finish the remodel within a week’s time, Help House officials caution it may stretch out beyond that, and clients should check ahead before returning Monday, August 3.

For updates, you can check the Help House Facebook page or call (360) 675-0681.

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged food bank, North Whidbey Help House, Oak Harbor, remodel | Leave a Comment »