Coupeville Sports

Coupeville High School boys tennis coach Ken Stange needs players. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Step up and stand out.

Coupeville Middle School 8th graders can participate in high school sports a year early, as long as they’re interested in playing soccer or tennis this fall.

Along with other 2B or 1B schools, Coupeville High School is allowed to use 8th graders when there is a genuine need to help keep programs afloat.

Last school year, middle school students played high school girls basketball and boys soccer.

Four 8th graders — Lyla Stuurmans, Cael Wilson, Savina Wells, and Preston Epp — played on varsity teams, with another five seeing action for the Wolf JV girls hoops team.

This fall, three of six CHS programs are accepting 8th graders, with boys and girls soccer, and boys tennis all in need of extra players.

Volleyball and cross country expect to have sufficient numbers, so high school and middle school athletes will remain separate in those sports.

Football is the one fall sport where 8th graders are not eligible to play at the high school level, regardless of need.

The chance to play at the high school level as an 8th grader is an extra bonus for many Wolves, as the middle school does not have a girls soccer program, and does not offer tennis.

The first day of practice for CHS fall sports teams is Monday, August 23.