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Archive for the ‘Cross Country’ Category

Bamberger hits pause

Posted in Cross Country, tagged , , , on June 17, 2019| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville High School cross country coach Natasha Bamberger watches her runners compete last season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The living legend has left the building. For the moment, at least.

Natasha Bamberger, a five-time state champion in running events for Coupeville High School, returned to her alma mater last fall to revive a successful, but long-shuttered, cross country program.

Under her guidance, the Wolves returned to the trails for the first time in two decades, and immediately began to rebuild and impress.

She fielded a full boys team, led by state meet veteran Danny Conlisk, and had a strong one-two combo on the girls side with Catherine Lhamon and Alana Mihill.

With fellow coach Elizabeth Bitting launching a very-strong middle school program at the same time, Coupeville cross country is well on its way to recapturing the glory days it enjoyed when Bamberger won the state cross country title in 1985.

Now, though, her runners will have to go on without her.

Bamberger has resigned as CHS cross country coach, as real-world work issues have reduced her availability to coach.

“This was really hard and a decision I have struggled with,” she said. “It breaks my heart to have to resign coaching cross country this season, but bringing in an income for my family is my reality at this stage of my life.

“I hope my team knows how much I have enjoyed working with them,” Bamberger added. “How much I respect their continued hard work, in becoming a team, a cross country family.”

Having rekindled the fire, she looks forward to seeing future Wolves make a run at the kind of success she enjoyed during her own high school days.

Along with Kyle King, she is one of two Wolves in school history (1900-2019) to win five state titles, and the only one to have all of her championships come in individual events.

Along with her cross country crown, Bamberger ruled the track oval, copping titles in the 1600 in 1984, and the 3200 in ’84, ’85, and ’86.

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“Feels great to be home!!”

Posted in Cross Country, tagged , , , , on November 18, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville freshman Alana Mihill was a revelation this fall, embracing cross country and making an immediate impact. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

CHS coach Natasha Bamberger honors senior captain Danny Conlisk, who, after two years of training and traveling with South Whidbey, got to lead his own team. (Photos courtesy Bamberger)

Wolf runners, and their support crew, celebrate “Crossgiving” at Sunday’s awards banquet.

The coach who revived a program she once led as a runner has a special gift to remember this season. (Photo courtesy Helene Lhamon)

Revived, reborn and earning respect.

Ending a two-decade-plus exile, cross country returned to Coupeville High School this fall, and it was a smashing success.

Starting the program virtually from scratch — two returning runners, Danny Conlisk and Sam Wynn, had trained and traveled with South Whidbey last year — CHS coach Natasha Bamberger hit the ground running.

She pulled together an eight-athlete roster, fielding a full boys team while launching the very-promising harrier careers of Catherine Lhamon and Alana Mihill.

The trail runners made huge strides while training with Bamberger, who won a 1985 state title in cross country and four more in track back when she was the one wearing a CHS uniform.

Tack on a huge turnout at the middle school level for CMS coach Elizabeth Bitting, and the future of the cross country program couldn’t be brighter.

But Sunday night was about hailing the trailblazers who brought cross country back inside Coupeville schools.

In future years, as the program grows, other Wolves may join Bamberger and 2010 state champ Tyler King at the top of the podium.

When they do, they will be rightfully hailed.

But for now, and forever, the two girls, six boys, one ecstatic coach and their all-star support crew, the ones who stepped up in 2018, will live large.

It’s a feeling Bamberger captured in her awards banquet wrap-up:

“Happy Crossgiving!!”

This is how the Coupeville High School cross country family ends its first XC season – at Fort Casey with submarines, laughs and tons of kindness.

Captain Award:
Danny Conlisk

Varsity letters:

Catherine Lhamon
Alana Mihill
Danny Conlisk
Sam Wynn

Senior Awards:

Danny Conlisk
Uriah Kastner
Kyle Burnett

Runner Discovered:
Uriah Kastner

Fighter Award:
Kyle Burnett

Natural:
Sam Wynn

In the Zone:
Chris Ruck

Toughest Competitor:
Catherine Lhamon

Workhorse Award:
Alana Mihill

Alana’s first letter; she pushed the team from the first day of the summer preseason.

She made every practice and when team felt tired she’d be right out front pushing the boys!!

Best Attitude Award:
TJ Rickner

TJ has the best attitude you could ask for in a runner. Finishes the race saying coach that was so fun! Smiling ear to ear.

I want to bottle that enthusiasm!

It was a great night! They sewed coach a quilt!

Special thanks to Dawnelle, Glenda and Ken. Fitting he was at the head of the table, submarines and all!

Huge thank you Robyn Myers, SPU-Fort Casey, and for the amazing support of the Coupeville Boosters. I’m overwhelmed.

Thank you David for your support of the team. Anything I can do for you please ask.

You have done so much for this community.

Do your articles motivate? Maybe we better put you in the hot seat in the next super motivator contest!!

We could graph athlete performance and “Coupeville Sports” coverage. Haha!!

Parting words … “Summer practice starts weekdays 10 AM after the last day of school, Monday-Friday.

(Big focus eye contact and huge smile holding my breath…)

I look forward to seeing you ALL there!

Feels great to be home!

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Making history on the trail!!

Posted in Cross Country, tagged , , , , , on October 28, 2018| Leave a Comment »

With Catherine Lhamon out with an injury, freshman Alana Mihill was a lone Wolf in the girls cross country race Saturday at bi-districts. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Coupeville boys (l to r) TJ Rickner, Kyle Burnett, Uriah Kastner, Sam Wynn and Danny Conlisk wait at the starting line.

Burnett slashes down the trail.

It’s high noon in the photo pit, as Dawnelle Conlisk comes out firing.

CHS coach Natasha Bamberger, a state champ in ’85, watches proudly as a new generation reignites the Wolf cross country program.

Conlisk, who trained and traveled with South Whidbey in recent years, ends his senior season as captain of a complete Coupeville team.

The storied past, vibrant present and bright future of Coupeville cross country, all wrapped into one.

The red and black is back (on the trail).

Coupeville’s reborn cross country program, resurrected after a 20+ year absence, went eight runners strong in its first go-around.

Six of those Wolves were on the line Saturday in South Whidbey for the bi-district meet, and wanderin’ camera clicker John Fisken was there to document things.

To see everything he shot, pop over to:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Cross-Country-2018-2019/XC-2018-10-27-District-1-meet/

And when you do, remember, any purchases help fund scholarships for CHS senior student/athletes. Circle of life and all.

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Race for today, build for tomorrow!!

Posted in Cross Country, tagged , , , , on October 27, 2018| Leave a Comment »

A leg injury prevented sophomore Catherine Lhamon, Coupeville’s top-ranked cross country runner, from racing Saturday at districts. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The season ended a hair too soon, but there was nothing but positive feelings at the end.

While the Coupeville High School cross country team failed to advance any runners to the state meet, with senior Danny Conlisk narrowly missing out on a second-straight trip, the Wolves finished the bi-district meet Saturday in South Whidbey heads held high.

For one thing, this was the first time in 20+ years a Coupeville harrier TEAM was even in competition.

After years of wandering the desert, with the occasional runner here and there training and traveling with other schools, CHS revived its cross country program this fall.

Led by coach Natasha Bamberger, a state XC champ in 1985 for the Wolves, Coupeville went eight strong, with six boys and two girls.

One of those female runners, sophomore Catherine Lhamon, was almost a sure shot to make it to state, based on her previous times.

Unfortunately, a leg injury late in the season prevented her from running Saturday.

Conlisk, who went to state in 2017 while training and traveling with South Whidbey, crushed his previous-best time on the SWHS course by 47 seconds, but just missed making the cut.

He needed to finish in the top 35, but hit the tape in 39th.

While she was hoping to get runners through to Pasco, and was planning to travel as a united team if they did, Bamberger exited bi-districts wearing a huge smile.

“They put it all out there today against a very strong district,” she said. “I am very proud of their effort today and for their first season as a cross country team for Coupeville.

“The team told me they don’t want the season to end,” Bamberger said. “I know what I can improve on as coach and we are all looking forward to off-season cross-training and building a good base for their track and the 2019 cross country seasons.”

Getting the chance to revive a program she once starred for was huge for Bamberger.

“I don’t know how to express how much I loved coaching this team,” she said. “Starting from scratch, this team has succeeded in building a culture around the love of running, working hard, pushing their limits.

“They are an exceptionally inclusive group that has fun while they are at it, which is not easy to do in a tough sport like cross country,” Bamberger added. “The team made some great friends out there on this journey, from coaches and other teams like South Whidbey all embracing and encouraging our new runners all the way.

“I can’t wait to see where my three seniors go next and how this young returning team builds on this year.”

 

Complete Saturday results (5,000-meter course):

 

GIRLS:

Alana Mihill (74th) 24:36.15

 

BOYS:

Danny Conlisk (39th) 18:11.02
Sam Wynn (81st) 20:28.09
TJ Rickner (93rd) 21:28.48
Uriah Kastner (98th) 23:10.12
Kyle Burnett (100th) 24:46.20

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Who let the Wolves out?!!

Posted in Cross Country, tagged , , , , on October 21, 2018| Leave a Comment »

Freshman Alana Mihill finds her moment of Zen Saturday before the start of the North Sound Conference cross country championships at Lakewood. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

CHS boys (l to r) TJ Rickner, Chris Ruck, Sam Wynn, Uriah Kastner, Danny Conlisk and Kyle Burnett.

Surrounded by a pack of King’s runners, Mihill makes a stand as a lone Wolf.

South Whidbey’s girls finished 2nd on the day.

The Wolf boys explode off the starting line.

The postseason sprint begins.

Coupeville High School cross country began (hopefully) a three-week run through championship events with an appearance Saturday at the North Sound Conference meet at Lakewood High School.

Still to come are districts Oct. 27 at South Whidbey, and (possibly) state Nov. 3 in Pasco.

Saturday’s meet, which brought all three Island teams to the same location – Oak Harbor competed in the Wesco championships, while South Whidbey joined Coupeville in the NSC throw-down – also drew in wanderin’ paparazzi John Fisken.

The photos above are courtesy him, and you can see (and buy) more at:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Cross-Country-2018-2019/XC-2018-10-20-League-Meet/

And remember, purchases help fund scholarships for CHS student/athletes, so circle of life and all.

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