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Archive for 2025

Can’t kill a quality program

Posted in Baseball, tagged , , , , on March 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Camden Glover returns to anchor the Wolf offense and defense. (Ryan Blouin photo)

It’s a whole new world.

After advancing to the state tourney two seasons in a row, the Coupeville High School baseball team had to fight just to keep the program alive this spring.

Losses to graduation, family moves, injuries, and veteran players opting not to suit up left Wolf coach Steve Hilborn and his staff scrambling.

But they got there, relying on a core group which didn’t flake out like others, and will open the season Saturday with a road trip to Blaine.

The roster is thin, but the spirit is strong among those who remain committed.

“Looks like we’ll have a team. We have 11 right now,” Hilborn said. “Several kids new to baseball but with lots of potential.

“We’re working on basics and having fun,” he added. “And that’s the name of the game.”

Landon Roberts is a rare veteran on a rebuilding Wolf team. (Sherry Bonacci photo)

Leading the way will be senior Landon Roberts, who pitched, played first base, and patrolled the outfield last season.

Juniors Camden Glover and Coop Cooper provide big arms and steady bats, while freshmen Carson Grove and Jayden Little are back for a second year of varsity baseball.

Joining them will be a group of newcomers including senior Jesus Madrigal, making the jump from team manager to on-field player.

Sophomore big man Riley Lawless, freshmen Leo Rodriguez and Phin Rhodes, and 8th graders Trent Thule and Chris Zenz round out the current roster.

Junior Aiden O’Neill, a starter in center field last season, is sidelined as he recovers from surgery after a football injury but will be a key part of the team’s support crew from his perch on the bench.

Carson Grove, already a grizzled vet and just a freshman. (Mindy Grove photo)

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Final game, final photos

Posted in Girls Basketball, Middle School, tagged , , , , on March 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Kennedy O’Neill slices to the hoop in the season finale. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

One last chance to catch some snaps.

Wandering photographer John Fisken stopped by the Coupeville Middle School gym Tuesday, capturing images from the basketball season finale between the Wolves and visiting South Whidbey.

To see everything he shot, and possibly buy Grandma an early Christmas present, pop over to:

 

Coupeville:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Basketball-2024-2025/MSGBB-2025-03-11-vs-South-Whidbey

 

South Whidbey:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/South-Whidbey-2024-2025/MSGBB-2025-03-11-at-Coupeville

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Hoops coaches hail Wolves

Posted in Basketball, tagged , , , , on March 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Hurlee Bronec rolls to the hoop. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

They made a positive impression on rival coaches.

Four Coupeville High School basketball players were honored Tuesday when Northwest 2B/1B League hoops gurus selected the All-Conference teams.

On the boys’ side of things, junior Chase Anderson was tabbed as a First-Team selection, while senior Hurlee Bronec earned Second-Team status.

Chase Anderson charges into action. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Anderson led all Coupeville players, boy or girl, in scoring this season, rattling the rims for 339 points.

Bronec, in his first full season as a varsity hoops player, emerged as a tower of power in the paint, especially in the second half of the season and the playoffs.

Teagan Calkins is a star on the rise. (Parker Hammons photo)

For the girls, junior Teagan Calkins popped up as a Second-Team pick, with senior Mia Farris receiving Honorable Mention status.

Calkins developed a deadly eye from three-ball territory, and led the Wolves in scoring, topped by a 24-point performance against Concrete.

Farris was a lethal two-way player, providing a spark at both ends of the floor as a shot-maker and shot-denier.

Mia Farris collects another honor. (Bailey Thule photo)

Seniors Ruthie Rozema of Mount Vernon Christian and Brayden Pedroza of La Conner were tabbed as league MVPs, while Haley Cruz Winchell of Orcas Island and Lance Lopez of La Conner were named Coach of the Year winners.

The Orcas Island girls and MVC boys received the team sportsmanship awards.

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Light, Butler honored by Lions

Posted in academics, tagged , , , , on March 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Ember Light and Mason Butler bask in the spotlight. (Photo courtesy Robin Bernardy)

Two of Coupeville’s best have seized the spotlight.

Wolf seniors Ember Light and Mason Butler were tabbed as the Coupeville Lions Club Students of the Quarter for the third academic quarter.

The club honors two students each quarter, before picking the Students of the Year at graduation time.

The Coupeville Lions, who have been celebrating local students for almost nine decades, awarded over $50,000 in scholarship money last year.

The students of the quarter distinction, voted on by school staff, is open to all CHS seniors.

Criteria includes “community service, effort, character, social relationships, scholarship, and sportsmanship — when applicable.”

Ember Light, daughter of Cassandra and Elgin Light, is a four-year cheerleader and former tennis player who has also been a part of the high school yearbook staff, the Exec Council, the Captains Club, and the Leos Club.

Her favorite subject is English, and she excels in her honors classes, including AP History, AP Government, AP Calculus, AP Literature, and AP Language.

Ember is employed as a barista at Beavertails Coffee, enjoys crocheting, embroidery, painting and sewing, and is an active volunteer with Ragnar, Junior Cheer, Race for the Reserve, and the Captains Club.

After graduation, she plans to attend college and major in Psychology.

Mason Butler, son of Eileen Butler and James Exe, is a soccer and track athlete who is also President of the Leos Club.

A member of the National Honor Society, he enjoys his theater, AP Literature, and AP Government classes.

When not at school, he works for Front Street Grill, is big into magic and gaming, and is a frequent flier in the world of volunteering.

Mason, who plans to become an electrician at Bellingham Technical College before returning to Coupeville to start his own business, can be found in the thick of things for a number of events.

He’s volunteered his time with the Greening of Coupeville, the Coupeville Lions Club, Fort Ebey, the Whidbey-Camano Land Trust, the Coupeville Water Festival, the Central Whidbey Career Fair, Whidbey State Parks, Musselfest, and Sno-Isle libraries.

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Bigger roster, better courts

Posted in Girls Tennis, tagged , , , , on March 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Brynn Parker is one of five returning players for CHS tennis. (Photo courtesy Corinn Parker)

If you build it, they will get to play on it … eventually.

When the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis team opens its season Mar. 21 against Anacortes, it will be the first time the Wolves will play a match at home since spring 2023.

Between then and now, the school moved its courts from next to the bus barn across the street and next to the CHS gym.

Bad weather at the time delayed the building process, sending the Wolf netters on the road for every contest last spring.

With the CHS boys’ tennis program having shut down several years back after losing a numbers battle, the Anacortes match will be the first-time players in red and black will be back in official action on their own playing surfaces.

Tenley Stuurmans is back and ready for another state run. (Photo courtesy Scott Stuurmans)

Leading the way will be freshman Tenley Stuurmans, who advanced to the state tourney as an 8th grader, while playing tennis for the first time.

She held up well in her two matches in Yakima against veteran foes, taking a set and almost advancing to day #2 of the championships.

Back for another run at glory, Stuurmans will be joined by fellow returning players Brynn Parker, Delanie Lewis, Kauri Hamilton, and Sofia Phay.

Kauri Hamilton is a seasoned vet on the court. (Andrew Williams photo)

In a hugely encouraging note, Wolf coaches Tim Stelling and Starla Seal have added 10 newcomers to the roster, ranging from 8th graders to seniors.

The expanded squad will compete against Friday Harbor for a Northwest 2B/1B League crown, playing four times, while also clashing with bigger schools such as South Whidbey, Anacortes, King’s, and Granite Falls across a 10-match schedule.

With expanded numbers, and a chance to play matches at home, the Wolf coaches are excited to welcome spring on the often-windswept prairie.

“Goals for this season are embracing growth and development establishment!” Seal said.

“Our biggest strength is the positive energy all of the girls have had from the first day of practice! They are vibing and have a fun and strong and positive learning mindset!”

With double digit roster numbers again, Coupeville will be able to fill out a complete slate once again when it comes time to play matches.

“Areas of growth are establishing two more doubles teams,” Seal said. “We have a lot of new players and hence the establishment of our team is a goal.

“Otherwise, I’m very happy and excited for our season and new courts!”

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