Coupeville Sports

Lathom Kelley (left) is on his way. (John Fisken photo)

Lathom Kelley wants to erase Mitch Pelroy from the record books, and Pelroy couldn’t be happier.

Now playing football at Montana Western, Pelroy was a three-sport stud during his days at Coupeville High School, playing football, basketball and track and his name is still up on the big board in the CHS gym for his running exploits.

His time of 22.84 stands as the school record in the 200.

Now Kelley, a speedy sophomore who has taken great leaps in the weight room in off-season workouts, is coming hard for Pelroy’s status as top dog in the sprints.

He ran a 23.85 in the season-opening Whidbey Island Jamboree Thursday (his best as a freshman was 24.93), finishing just off of meet winner Dejon Devroe of host Oak Harbor.

Not bad for a guy from the smallest 1A school in the state going head-to-head with a dude from a bigger 3A school.

Now Kelley wants more.

“Sorry Mitch, but my goal is to take your name off that board. With only good intentions though,” Kelley said.

Pelroy, a proud alumni, welcomed the spirit of his successor.

“Oh, I know you will take it off man,” Pelroy said. “I hope you get it soon!”

The exchange warmed the heart of CHS football/basketball coach Dustin Van Velkinburgh, a guy who can still get from one place to another pretty quickly himself.

“I love it when alumni encourage current athletes. Sign that things are changing around here,” Van Velkinburgh said. “Keep up the amazing work Mitch and Lathom. I couldn’t be more proud of the both of you.”