Starla Seal in her natural habit.
Starla Seal is not your average Coupeville High School coach.
Few of her new compatriots grew up on the “windy, blustery hot Texas Panhandle,” with a dad who was a watermelon farmer and a mom who toiled as a prison guard.
The youngest of six, she was a standout athlete through high school and college who now finds herself on an island in the middle of the Pacific Northwest.
Seal is raising two rambunctious kids, working as a Coupeville Elementary School paraeducator while volunteering with Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, and, oh yes, is now an assistant tennis coach at CHS.
After getting school board approval, she’ll help Timothy Stelling on the school’s new hardcourts, as the duo replace Ken Stange, who retired after two success-filled decades.
The net master leaves behind big shoes to fill, but Seal is ready to step into the spotlight.
“What’s influenced me to be a coach, I would say, is the love of sports I’ve had naturally,” she said.
“I know those few people who made a difference in my life were my middle and high school women, basketball/volleyball coaches particularly,” Seal added.
“I felt they were strong role models to look up to, and I admired their values and dedication to the students they coached.”
Hanging out with the kiddos.
Seal got into coaching through her own children, helping guide youth soccer, baseball and basketball teams the past three years.
Given the opportunity, it immediately lit a fire in her.
“I most of all love coaching the youth basketball league,” Seal said. “Teaching them the rules and just how to have fun at this young age is what’s important.
“I feel like it’s easy to lose the fun part as you get older,” she added. “I always stress to my kids that it’s about having fun and having a good attitude win or lose.
“Thats a life lesson you’ll always need in you back pocket. Character and attitude are everything.”
Seal was an athlete for all seasons as a young woman, playing basketball, tennis, volleyball, track and field, and even a bit of softball.
She brought home a blizzard of awards, from Best Offensive Player in basketball and MVP in tennis, to Most Athletic several times at her small-town high school.
But while she treasured each award as a payoff for her hard work, her focus was always on team success, something she wants to impart to a new generation as a coach.
“I didn’t do it for awards. I did it for me,” Seal said. “Sports has always been a great outlet and still is. It balances life out.
“The game, the team aspect, and staying fit and healthy have always been very important to me.”
That mindset has remained with Seal as she has navigated the transition from teen athlete to adult.
She’s completed trail runs and triathlons, while never losing her love of the outdoors life.
“I simply just enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, and more simple activities I can enjoy with my family,” she said.
“Working as a full-time Para and a volunteer at CWIFR, I’ve learned to simplify some of my recreational hobbies.”
Growing up in Texas, Seal tagged along with her older siblings, playing whatever sports they did.
Soon, tennis, which she picked up in middle school, became a personal favorite, the love of the net game carrying her as far as United States Tennis Association tournaments in Lubbock and Amarillo.
“I loved tennis as it was more of an individual sport,” Seal said. “I felt like I was in charge of my own game, and I was.”
From high school hardcourt action in Childress, she went on to play a season of tennis for Skagit Valley College and has stayed with the game.
“The last four years I’ve spent most of my court time teaching my own kids how to play tennis,” Seal said. “We hit up the tennis courts frequently in the spring and summer months.
“My six-year-old daughter has a killer backswing. Watch out now!”
The sage veteran with her talented protege.
Working with Stelling, Seal hopes to add to the depth of a girls’ roster which lost a chunk of players to graduation, while imparting wisdom to those who gather.
“I want the team to learn how to work, train, persevere, and have discipline to do it all efficiently,” she said.
“Training and teamwork are crucial in every aspect of what we do. Training shapes players to become who they strive to be; without hard work and training, we would never push our limits.”
Helping young players to learn to mesh their skills is huge.
“Teamwork teaches a variety of learning skills, such as how to trust teammates, depend on others, and know when to ask for help,” Seal said.
“This shows compassion to others and extends a hand to help if and when needed.
“Build them up to provide a better future for all. Ask for help if you need assistance.
“We are a team, a family, and we can’t do everything on our own.”
Drawing from her own experience as an athlete, Seal hopes to show how dedication will help the Wolf netters achieve excellence, on the court and in real life.
“Perseverance and discipline through the difficult times – things will not always be easy,” she said. “Handling adversity is crucial for kids to learn how to handle a loss appropriately, deal with disappointment, and persevere through struggles.
“There will be roadblocks, whether they are internally caused or external. Don’t let a mistake or a problem stop you from succeeding.
“If it was a mistake, take responsibility for the error and persevere and push forward to prove that it doesn’t define who you are.”
Having grown up in Texas, Starla Seal is now a proud Wolf Mom.
Sports offer a unique way to learn life skills, something Seal is eager to promote.
“The structure and routine of games and practices teach kids both discipline and accountability to be a leader,” she said.
“The ups and downs of youth sports teach kids that “if something is too hard for me today, I can still achieve it tomorrow through hard work, practice, and discipline.
“That kind of confidence extends far beyond the playing field into academics, future employment, and even relationships.”
Most importantly, Seal wants to make sure her young charges approach every practice, every match with heads held high, intent on building their skill set while also realizing there is no growth without struggle.
“I don’t expect everyone to be perfect; no one is, but we can strive to improve together,” she said. “As a family, we can persevere. ask questions, help each other, and get the work done in the most efficient way.”
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