Jerry and Lindsey Helm and the real star of the show, lil’ Finley. (Sherry Roberts photo)
Breaking hearts…
and breaking track records.
It’s been 15 years since Jerry Helm last pulled on the red and black and yet, in an instant, he can return to the glory days of his senior season at Coupeville High School.
“I can still see the football in the air on every touchdown that season, and every step I took in that final race to break the school record,” Helm said. “My heart rate is speeding up just thinking about those memories!”
A four-sport athlete for the Wolves (football, basketball, baseball for a bit — “I thought I was a baseball player, until I realized my favorite part of baseball was stealing bases” — and track), the 1998 grad had speed to burn.
It carried him to multiple touchdowns on the football field, where he was a co-captain, and sparked him to deliver a performance on the track oval that shattered a school record, won him MVP honors and earned him a berth at the state meet.
“Football and track were my standout sports, where my ability to out-run people was highlighted,” Helm said.
Not even a broken arm could fully derail a golden senior season for Helm.
After busting off several jaunts into the end zone on opening night against a Canadian team, Helm was felled against Friday Harbor the next week, but healed in time to make it back for playoff games against Charles Wright Academy and Tacoma Baptist.
The best was yet to come, however, as Helm capped his high school career that spring, teaming with Damon Vracin, Scott Stuurmans and Paul Donnellon to shatter the school record in the 4×400 relay in the final meet of the season.
The record put a punctuation mark on a year marked by both success and Helm’s commitment to never giving in when the odds were against him. The entire year also reinforced several lessons he has carried with him in the years since.
“The lesson of hard work speaks for itself, but the lesson of having patience, I think, has been just as important,” Helm said. “No matter how hard I tried my senior year of football, I couldn’t get my arm to heal any quicker. I could not get back into a Wolf jersey until my doctor said it was OK.
“This has helped me tremendously in life,” he added. “Life doesn’t always go the direction you think, and just when you think you’re in control, you’re kindly reminded you are not the one in control.”
Life after high school has taken some turns for the fleet-footed former Wolf.
After getting a degree in computer drafting and design, he worked in the engineering department at Island County Public Works. Then, sudden left turn and a whole new calling opened up.
The son of a longtime firefighter/fire commissioner, Helm decided to reply to a help wanted sign calling for volunteers posted at the Coupeville fire station.
“Little did I know my career path would take a sharp turn,” Helm said. “As soon as I got into the fire department, I found my true calling and haven’t looked back.”
Moving with the same speed and determination he once showed on the playing fields at CHS, Helm eventually became a full-time firefighter with Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue in 2005. He’s now Acting Captain and is in charge of training and recruitment.
“Hopefully my home town experience will bring many new, needed faces to the department’s volunteer ranks,” Helm said. “P.S. — call me if anyone wants to come join the team!”
Along the way, Helm landed in the Washington State Firefighter Calendar as Mr. October, met his wife, Lindsey, who teaches at Coupeville Elementary, and became a father to possibly the most adorable little girl on the Island, Finley.
While his daughter has a few years before she will decide whether to follow in the footsteps of mom (a cheerleader) and dad, Helm will be there to offer Finley the wisdom he’s picked up along the way.
“Although I had a few shining moments in a Wolf jersey, I was just one person. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by some very gifted athletes,” Helm said. “Together we were able to accomplish a lot of great things.
“My hope for my daughter is she enjoys her time as a Wolf as much as I did, develop many lifelong friendships, and learn the same important life lessons. The wins are just the icing on the cake,” he added. “I look forward to watching her play basketball, softball, take laps around the same track I did, or take after her mom and cheer.
“But, I know she will have to make the choice as to which sports she plays. I’m just looking forward to taking my place in the stands as a Wolf parent.”
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