Coupeville Sports

    Heni Barnes and her faithful assistant, farmer-in-training Henry Purdue. (Julieanna Purdue photo)

Barnes and coach Wilbur Purdue. (Mark Vessey photo)

Heni Barnes is rollin’ in the deep. The deep, deep cash.

The Coupeville High School track and field star, who also happens to a brilliant student, won a gold medal and $5,000 from the History Channel Thursday after trouncing the field in Senior Individual Documentary at the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day contest.

Barnes wowed the judges with “Striking a Turning Point: The 1917 Pacific Northwest Lumber Strike.”

Dena Royal, who coaches the Oak Harbor High School History Day team, judged the doc at regionals and said it was the best work Barnes had produced.

“I predicted a top three finish for Heni when I first saw her doc at regionals,” Royal said. “Yes, it was that good!”

Barnes, who was coached by Coupeville’s legendary (and modest) farmer/teacher, Wilbur Purdue, is also now a National Humanities Scholar after her win.

During the track and field season, she was the Wolves’ main female threat in the throwing events.