Coupeville Sports

   Joel Walstad threw for more than 1,600 yards during his senior season at Coupeville High School. (John Fisken photo)

Walstad signs his college football letter of intent. (Shawn Walstad photo)

Joel Walstad is taking his talents to America’s Heartland.

The Coupeville High School senior, a three sport star for the Wolves (football, basketball, soccer) has signed a letter of intent to play quarterback at Midland University in Nebraska.

The school, a liberal arts institution affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church, boasts 27 varsity sports and has the largest athletic program in the state.

The Warriors, who went 2-8 last season, are an NAIA program that plays in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.

Walstad is actually the second Whidbey Island player to sign with the school in the past few days, joining Oak Harbor receiver David Ray.

During his senior season at CHS, Walstad was one of the most effective quarterbacks playing at the 1A level in Washington state.

He completed 112 of 227 passes for 1,675 yards and 18 touchdowns while leading Coupeville to a 5-5 record, its best mark in several years.

Walstad came out of the gate with a bang, throwing for 252 yards and three TD’s in a 35-28 win over arch-rival South Whidbey on the season’s opening night.

The Wolves took The Bucket from the Falcons twice during his time as a CHS football player.

Walstad was also Coupeville’s kicker and punter and played in the defensive backfield.

He was the third and final Wolf athletic star in his family, following in the footsteps of older siblings Tim and Bessie.