CHS catcher Cole Payne was tabbed as a First-Team All-State player. (John Fisken photo)
He’s gone, but not forgotten.
Three weeks after he graduated from Coupeville High School, Cole Payne received one final honor for his baseball playing skills.
The standout catcher, who was earlier honored as the 1A Olympic League MVP, was named as a First-Team All-State player Tuesday.
Payne follows in the footsteps of former teammate Ben Etzell, who nailed the same honor as a pitcher in 2014.
The award comes courtesy the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association.
After leading the Wolves to their first baseball league title in 25 years, Payne was the lone Whidbey Island player named to the All-State team.
The complete 1A squad:
First-Team:
Henry Cheney (Charles Wright)
McKabe Cottrell (Freeman)
Ashton Dulfer (Vashon)
Luke Gleasman (Chelan)
Brayden Hale (Medical Lake)
Skyler Jump (Hoquiam)
Matt Kelleran (Overlake-Bear Creek)
Cole Payne (Coupeville)
Blaine Ross (Zillah)
Nate Rossine (Kiona-Benton)
Kaleb Strawn (Tenino)
Gabe Tolrud (Connell)
Kylan Touch (Aberdeen)
Isaac Wersland (Cle Elum)
Second-Team:
Thomas Butler (University Prep)
Peter Dudunakis (Overlake-Bear Creek)
Tyler Fox (Cascade Christian)
Trystan Garland (Connell)
Dalton Hawk (Cle Elum)
Chase Kuhnert (Lakeside – Nine Mile Falls)
Ryan Long (Overlake-Bear Creek)
Jack Paukert (Freeman)
Lino Rivera (Kiona-Benton)
Joel Rodriguez (Eatonville)
Blake Vandel (Cascade-Leavenworth)
Cory Wagner (Medical Lake)
Coach of the Year:
Steve Hall (Vashon)
Coupeville Sports 
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