Is cross country returning to Coupeville High School? The agenda for Monday’s School Board meeting says it’s likely. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The Wolves may reclaim the trail.
One of the most storied athletic programs at Coupeville High School is a quick vote away from being reborn.
When the agenda for Monday’s School Board meeting hit the internets tonight, buried down deep under new business was this little nugget:
“Approve proposed High School Cross Country Program, Fall 2018.”
That means, barring a last-second plot twist from board members, which is doubtful since the proposal arrives with the full support of Athletic Director Willie Smith, Coupeville’s harriers will once again operate out of their own school.
Wolf cross country boasts state title winners in Natasha Bamberger and Tyler King and has 10 tiles on the school’s Wall of Fame, covering league, district and state meet accomplishments.
But there hasn’t been an active program operating out of CHS since the late ’90s.
When King ran, he trained and traveled with Oak Harbor, competing as part of the OHHS program until his senior year.
That season there was a change in the agreement between the two Island schools, and King pulled back on a Coupeville uniform.
After running alongside the Wildcats in the regular season, he went on his own for the postseason, capping his career with a 1A state title.
The past two seasons the Wolves have sent a handful of runners to South Whidbey, where they trained and traveled with the Falcons but competed as Coupeville athletes.
Two of the three harriers from this past fall, Danny Conlisk and Sam Wynn, currently a junior and freshman, respectively, are likely to anchor the new team if it’s approved.
The new cross country program would begin as Coupeville jumps to the new 1A North Sound Conference in the fall.
After a four-year run in the Olympic League, the Wolves are uniting with King’s, South Whidbey, Granite Falls, Sultan and Cedar Park Christian (Bothell) to form a new league.
Bamberger is the most-decorated harrier in CHS history, helping the 1982 Wolf girls squad win a league title and place 4th at state as a team during her freshman season.
Three years later, she won a state title as a senior.
Hearing the news of a revival, her smile was as quick as her legs used to be as they churned down trails.
“That is awesome,” Bamberger said. “So exciting!”
Coupeville cross country history:
1975 — Boys — 9th at State
1976 — Boys — 5th at State
1977 — Boys — Cascade League champs
1977 — Boys — District champs
1977 — Boys — 5th at State
1981 — Girls — 8th at State
1982 — Girls — Cascade League champs
1982 — Girls — 4th at State
1985 — Natasha Bamberger — State Champ
2010 — Tyler King — State Champ
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