9 for 9: Pitch fever rages

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9 for 9: Pitch fever rages

August 6, 2021 by David Svien

Ethan Spark battles for a ball. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

This blog turns nine years old August 15, and to mark the occasion, I’m picking what I view as the best nine Wolf athletes from each active CHS sport.

To be eligible, you had to play for the Wolves between Aug. 2012-Aug. 2021, AKA the “Coupeville Sports” years.

So here we go. Each day between Aug. 1-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.

Soccer is my nemesis. Kinda.

Of all the sports played by Coupeville athletes, it’s the one where I have the least intricate knowledge.

I’m still struggling to fully comprehend the ever-changing offside rule, and don’t get me started on settling for ties and a clock which doesn’t really allow viewers to know how much time is left to play.

That said, even a soccer idiot such as myself can recognize greatness — most times — and I’m confident these nine Wolves are the guys I want on the field.

What? Soccer plays with 11?

Yeah, still sticking with nine. It’s kind of the whole theme of this thing…

Look! Up in the sky!! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Zane Bundy!!!

Zane Bundy — One of the kids who grew up while hanging out in the video game section of Videoville, a goal-scoring prodigy who lived for the game, and loved every minute he was on the field.

Sean Donley — The glue which held his team together, a captain whose mere presence on the field brought an extra spark to the Wolf attack.

Nathan Lamb — Much like the guy right ahead of him in this alphabetic list, a guy whose true value sprang from all the intangibles he brought to the pitch. Smooth, consistent, a steady leader to rally around when things got turbulent.

Abraham Leyva — The program’s all-time scoring champ, he rattled the nets for 45 goals in three seasons, and did it all with such style.

Aram Leyva — More of a brawler than his big bro (Abraham) and their cousin (Derek), but that just added to his value. A powerful goal-scoring leg mixed with a take-no-crap attitude? Yes, please.

Derek Leyva — The most-talented soccer player to ever pull on a Wolf uniform, he could do things with his feet others only dreamed about. One of the most-electrifying athletes, in any sport, to play for CHS … ever.

William Nelson — So effortless, at times you had to look twice to get the full impact of all he accomplished. He could score, he could pass, he could (subtly) kick his teammates in the rear — whatever was needed.

Ethan Spark — Fiery, feisty, and owner of a powerhouse of a leg (just like big sis Jenn), he’s the #5 scorer in program history, and only injuries prevented him from climbing higher.

Aaron Wright — The unsung warrior, a hard-working, defense-first rampager who brought a football body to the soccer pitch and cleared a path for his teammates.