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Spring approaches … sort of!!

Posted in Baseball, Boys Soccer, Girls Tennis, Golf, Softball, Track on February 9, 2013| Leave a Comment »

“I stare into the abyss. I need a miracle to prove that spring approaches…”

“I got you, Messner! I’ll throw this ball out of winter…”

“And catch it in spring!!”

“Hot dang!!”

As you stare out into a gray, rainy February afternoon, the thought that baseball and softball and track and all the other spring sports will soon be upon us probably seems slightly ridiculous.

But it’s true. 16 days from now (Monday, Feb. 25 — the day after the Oscars), Wolf athletes will hit the great outdoors for the first day of practice.

Led by Paul Mendes (boys’ soccer), Willie Smith (baseball), Randy King (track), Ken Stange (girls’ tennis) and David and Amy King (softball), CHS athletes will head into a new season, full of promise and hope.

At the same time, Wolf golfers Austin and Christine Fields will pack their clubs in the family car and head South, as they will train and travel with South Whidbey, since Coupeville doesn’t have a links program.

Storylines abound.

Will Madison Tisa McPhee return to dominating in the hurdles? Just how fast is Makana Stone? Can the Fields return to the state meet (senior Austin has been twice, sophomore Christine is 1-for-1)? Will a baseball team led by the players who won a state title in little league make a splash at the high school level?

But, that’s why they play the games.

First home contest is a girls’ tennis match Wednesday, March 13, followed by baseball games Friday and Saturday, March 15-16.

Hopefully Whidbey will have rained itself out by then.

P.S. — I didn’t want to ruin the flow of the photos above with extra words. Picture #1 is by Shelli Trumbull, #3 by Chris Chan and #2 and #4 by John Fisken.

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“The team being rambunctious, we broke the hot tub…”

Posted in Boys Soccer, Josh Wilsey shenanigans on January 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Josh Wilsey and Bessie Walstad model sweet sweaters. Later, Wilsey would get up to much soccer-related shenanigans.

Josh Wilsey and Bessie Walstad model sweet sweaters at school. Later, Wilsey would get up to much soccer-related shenanigans.

Let’s enter the mind of Josh Wilsey for a second.

The Coupeville High School senior just returned from a three-day select soccer showcase tournament in Portland, where he and fellow Wolf booter Luke Pelant displayed their skills in front of college scouts.

Now, I could take his comments and hack them up into quotes. Or, I could just step out of the way and let Mr. Wilsey unleash the Parmesan-scented tale of soccer and shenanigans in his own words.

I choose option B.

Oh, yeah, it was for our premier league team, Northwest United FC.

It was the Portland winter college showcase, where 90+ colleges are invited to attend. It’s not regulation time of games. It’s two 30 minute halves, and a five minute halftime so the scouts can make as many games as possible.

Games were held at Hillsboro Stadium, Liberty High School and 53rd Avenue Park.

Me and Luke were blessed to be a part of the first-ever U-19 Northwest United team to ever qualify for the tournament.

Our showcase consisted of four games, one on Saturday at 5:20, which was so foggy you could barely make out the goal posts at the other side of the field! We played Eastside Timbers FC. They were a tough team to play. But we held them to a 1-0 loss.

A pizza party took place soon after, and a room full of these kids spells trouble, Parmesan cheese pranks, and me and two others playing on a child’s play place. Giving children bad examples and frustrating parents.

After that we all retired to the hotel’s hot tub, and, the team being rambunctious, we broke the hot tub, and it went out of order until we left.

The next day we had two games. One in the morning against a team from Coeur d’Alene. We held them to a 0-0 draw on a very, very cold and foggy morning game, then we had 11 hours to spare until our next game, which was at 8:50 at night.

In that time we went walking around Portland, getting lost with team mates Eduardo Avila and Carter DeGraw, until we found Luke and his parent, which led us to the mall, and we spent time there getting some good deals from the strip mall that was shutting down.

Later we went to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the San Francisco/Atlanta game, while Luke got googly eyes from our waitress. After that, me and Luke took teammates Eduardo Avila and Rhino to a movie, and had fun there.

Then we got ready for our nighttime game, which we lost 2-0 against Washington East Seely, which we played against in the regular season play in Spokane, losing 3-2 but coming back from a 3-0 deficit.

The next day was our last day as Northwest United FC players, and our game was against a team from Eugene. We ultimately lost 3-0, but I set up a lot of scoring opportunities for my teammates, but they were either just wide or the keeper did his job and saved them.

I love that team. I was the new guy at first but we created strong bonds, like a family, and these guys will always be my family, and I’ll always have their backs no matter what — that’s what a team is, and that’s what you do for your teammates.

It was such a fun trip, a lot of memories were made, and most of them unforgettable. This season has prepared me for my final season playing on the pitch as a Coupeville Wolf this coming soccer season, and I intend to make my senior season the best, and I feel like Luke feels the same way.

Thank you for your time, and thanks for listening, David.

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Wolf booters endure brutal weather to forge bright future!!

Posted in Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer on January 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

The future and the past of Wolf soccer, freshman Dawson d'Almeida and sister Amanda, enjoy Halloween, back when it was still balmy outside.

The future and the past of Wolf soccer, CHS freshman Dawson d’Almeida and senior Amanda d’Almeida, enjoy Halloween, back when it was still balmy outside.

And now, when snow in the background greeted Dawson and teammates in Mt. Vernon yesterday.

And now, when snow in the background greeted Dawson and his select soccer teammates in Mt. Vernon yesterday. (Dan d’Almeida photo)

Zane Bundy (foreground), select soccer coach Jose Lecca and, just peeking out, Dawson d’Almeida. (Janine Bundy photo)

The future of Coupeville High School boys’ soccer is on its way, and it’s prepared.

Paul Mendes has already built a state tourney caliber squad in a short time, but it’s the next wave of potential Wolves who could kick the program to a new level. Freshmen like Dawson d’Almeida and Zane Bundy, who are playing select soccer on and off-Island nearly year-round.

The younger d’Almeida is following in the footsteps of big sister Amanda, a Wolf senior who currently suits up for a NW Nationals Red squad which played in Bremerton Sunday morning (giving her parents a chance to “enjoy” a ferry ride in 28-degree weather).

“Maybe triple socks for her fans,” quipped dad Dan d’Almeida, the CHS girls’ soccer coach.

Amanda and her teammates fought to a 2-2 tie against three-time State Cup champ Eastside Red recently, then beat Westsound 2-1 Sunday. The time she has spent in select soccer has propelled her game far ahead of where it would be playing just with her high school team.

It’s a path being trod by other Wolf players as well, from older stars like Josh Wilsey and Luke Pelant to the duo of Bundy and d’Almeida, who wrapped their season with the NW United B15 squad in Mount Vernon Saturday. Garnering a bit of revenge, they pasted Orting 9-0, a team they lost to in the regular season.

“It’s a clear indicator of their massive improvement over the season,” Dan d’Almeida said. “It was a balmy 32 degrees at Mt. Vernon High School and the boys played on basically asphalt-hard turf.

“Now Dawson and Zane have a bit over a month to get themselves rested and ready for the CHS Boys season!”

The B15 squad was coached by Jose Lecca, who played for the Peruvian national team.

Making the jump on the soccer field brings with it a lot of travel and juggling of time, but the d’Almeida family makes it work.

“We end up in Seattle most every weekend for one of the kids’ select games,” Dan d’Almeida said. “Twice a week to Burlington for Dawson (usually with Zane) and twice a week to Lynnwood for Amanda.”

In addition to soccer, Dawson is a veteran of History Day, going to nationals as a middle school student, and currently participates in jazz band and Science Olympiad.

A fan of soccer giants Real Madrid like his dad (his sister and mom, Cathy, root for Barcelona), he also manages to get in time on the PlayStation 3 and has picked up the guitar with the intention of learning Dave Matthews‘ songs.

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Josh Wilsey plays for love, friendship!!

Posted in Boys Basketball, Boys Soccer on November 18, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Josh Wilsey and Bessie Walstad

Caleb Valko is a talker.

His non-stop patter was enough to get lifelong soccer fiend, and best bud, Josh Wilsey to finally take up a second sport and hit the basketball court last season. Now a senior for the Coupeville High School boys’ basketball squad, Wilsey will have plenty of time to listen to Valko as the duo help lead the Wolves into a new season.

“I got talked into it (basketball) by Caleb; I wanted to play for more reasons too, but his constant nagging helped,” Wilsey said. “But I’ve always enjoyed playing basketball; since I’ve played soccer my entire life, actually being able to use my hands in a sport is fun.”

Wilsey expects to see most of his playing time on the wing and at point guard this season, areas where he could have an impact for a team looking to bounce back after a winless 2011-2012 campaign.

“I’m a good defender, I’m fast and can rebound pretty well; I have good ball handling when I’m focused,” Wilsey said. “I want to work on my long range shots. I can hit them well, but I’d like to become more consistent.

“My goals as a player are to be the best player I can be, and help out my team as much as possible,” he added. “And for the team, I’d like to see us go far in postseason play, go out with a bang!”

Valko and Wilsey’s basketball connection extends off the court, as well, where the pair are deeply committed Los Angeles Lakers fans.

“We’re pretty diehard fans. That’s one of the reasons we became friends in middle school and we’d get in trouble during science class … but that’s a different story,” Wilsey said. “I am bummed we couldn’t get Phil Jackson back, but I am hopeful that the Lakers can settle in with (Mike) D’Antoni and get some wins and hopefully bring the trophy home.”

While he enjoys basketball, it will never fully claim his heart, however. The soccer pitch has called to him since he was a wee lad.

“Soccer is definitely my number one sport. I’ve been playing ever since I was little, and I’ve just grown to love the game,” Wilsey said. “It’s always grounded me; the game comes natural to me, and I just feel at home when playing soccer.”

That’s the sport he intends to stay with as he makes the jump next year from high school to college.

“I’d love to take soccer to the next level — playing at the college level,” Wilsey said. “I plan to attend college for four years and go into marketing if I can’t make it in soccer, but I’m pretty optimistic about soccer.”

A movie fan (“Funny movies are my all-time favorite. I just love a good laugh”) who has developed a taste for country music recently, Wilsey was an ever-present fan during the fall sport season. Cheering on his girlfriend, fellow Wolf senior Bessie Walstad, at her volleyball matches, he often waved signs for her, ran errands and was a vocal part of the student cheering section led by Danny “Shaman” Savalza.

Walstad, a three-sport star, may not get a chance to see all of Wilsey’s basketball games, since the Wolf boys and girls spend most of their league season with one team playing at home while the other hits the road, but her presence will always be there with him.

And while he’s quick to acknowledge friends like Valko and the impact his father has had on him (“My dad has always been a big motivator for me and always helps me with my game”), it’s obvious who he plays for.

“Bessie has been my number one fan and motivator; she motivates me to do better in everything I do on and off the court,” Wilsey said. “She makes me want to be a better person and more sportsmanlike.”

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Lamb polishes the gold standard his siblings set!!

Posted in Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis on October 10, 2012| Leave a Comment »

Nathan Lamb, the “black sheep” of the family.

Nathan Lamb is athletic royalty, heir to a legacy that stands with any in Coupeville High School history.

A three-time district champ in tennis (and playing for a fourth title this Saturday) and hard-charging soccer player, he is the last of four Lambs to shine in a Wolf uniform, following in the footsteps of brother Jordan and sisters Taniel and Erica, all multi-sport stars and, frankly, brilliant students.

So there’s a little pressure. Even on a guy who seems pretty serene even when lacing a laser down the line in a tight tennis scrap.

“It’s always been my joke to the family that I am the black sheep,” Lamb said with a laugh. “Not so much in athletics, but I struggle to keep up to them academically. I try my best but have some big shoes to fill and don’t always feel like I manage to fit into them.

“However, in athletics I’d say I match up to my siblings,” he added. “Being as close as I am with my brother, even from a young age, I always wanted to do everything he did and do it just as well. It normally ended with a lot of frustration when I couldn’t, and a talk from my parents explaining that he was three years older than I was, so I shouldn’t be upset about it. But I never really liked that excuse and kept trying to be as good as Jordan.”

Lamb, who teamed with his older brother to win a district doubles title when he was a freshman and Jordan was a senior, has always viewed his brother in a positive light, athletically and otherwise, a view shared by just about anyone who has met Jordan.

“Jordan has always been my role model through my teen years, and still is today,” Lamb said. “Always makes me want to do better and our good friendship has been a great aspect in shaping my life.

“I like to joke that up until he graduated, much of my decisions were based upon “Would Jordan do that?,” he added. “My entire family in general has always been a big influence on me as well, and I’m so thankful for all of them.”

No that he doesn’t want to surpass them. He just wants to do it gracefully.

“He (Jordan) claims that I have passed him by with my athleticism. I’m not so sure, but I plan to spend some time finding out when he returns from Sweden in a couple of months,” Lamb said. “I’ll just leave it that I’m proud to finally be equal to my brother … well, in athletics anyway.”

Lamb, who plans to follow in his brother’s footsteps and serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after his first semester of college, is having to adapt on the fly as his final district tennis tourney approaches. After playing singles all season, he is teaming up with Aaron Curtin to play doubles, a move that requires him to adjust his mindset a bit.

“I actually enjoy singles a lot more,” Lamb said. “Coach (Stange) suggested Aaron and I play together for districts, and, while I love singles, we thought we might stand a better chance at moving forward in the tourney as a team.

“It has taken a bit to get used to playing doubles again, but I think it will turn out well,” he added. “I have played doubles in the past, so it is not new to me.”

What’s sort of amazing is that a potential four-time district champ is basically just having a good time on the court. Tennis is Lamb’s “just for fun” sport, while soccer remains his true passion.

“Soccer is my favorite. I like the speed of the game, using my feet and having a team and a lot more fans on the sidelines,” Lamb said. “I’ve always loved and played soccer.”

Sports are just the tip of the iceberg for Lamb, who plays some piano (“Despite my mom’s request I didn’t practice as I should, so am not as good at that as I would like”), enjoys photography and making short videos and spends a great deal of time outdoors. He is a triple-threat in the world of boards (snow, wake and long), mountain bikes and has picked up a taste for golf recently.

“I’d say I’m a pretty well-rounded person. But sports have always been my favorite way to spend time,” Lamb said. “I’ve thought a lot about my “favorite” things and I have a hard time deciding on one.

“My parents have told me they think if I would have just stuck with a single sport and played that with all my time and heart, I might have had the potential to go far and maybe have a career in athletics, at least into college with it,” he added. “However that has never been me. I like too many things to just stick to one.”

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