Coupeville Sports

Maia Sparkman explodes on the takeoff in the long jump. (John Fisken photo)

  Coupeville coach Willie Smith and South Whidbey baseball guru Tom Fallon chat with the umps. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Well played, South Whidbey, well played.

This blog is called Coupeville Sports for a reason, but there are times when even the most die-hard of Cow Town folks can take a moment and tip our hats to the folks down in Langley.

We live on an Island, and as much as the Wolves and Falcons have always been, and will always be, the best of rivals, we can celebrate each others triumphs.

Lord knows the ATM’s and King’s of the world, and their brethren, need a paddle taken to their entitled, pompous rears as often as possible, and any win for a Whidbey athlete is a win for all of us “hicks.”

So take a moment with me to send congrats to a couple of South Whidbey people who I have found to be class acts all the way. They may not wear the red and black — our loss — but I wish them well all the same.

Tom Fallon guided his SWHS baseball team to its first trip to state in decades, where the Falcons and Wolves, who split their four games this year, accounted for 1/8th of the field at the 1A tourney.

South Whidbey opened with a 10-5 win over Tenino Saturday, then fell 1-0 to Richland in the afternoon to end its season, while Coupeville was nipped 2-1 by Rochester.

If Richland and Rochester win their state semifinals next weekend and play for the title game, they will do so with the knowledge they barely escaped the wonder twin power of Whidbey’s best.

Meanwhile, over in the heart of the beast (King’s home stadium), Whidbey track runners stepped up and made a huge impact at Tri-Districts.

We’re hugely enthusiastic about CHS sophomore Makana Stone advancing to state in the 400. She has the third-fastest time in 1A and is a second away from pulling off an upset and winning a state title.

But let’s also send a big thumbs up to South Whidbey senior Maia Sparkman, who qualified for state in the long jump and as a member of 4 x 100 and 4 x 400 relay teams.

At a time when I poked the Falcons frequently, Miss Sparkman was gracious enough to consent to an interview (https://coupevillesports.com/2013/06/30/the-falcons-are-alright-maia-sparkman-sparkles/), when she could have blown me off as several South Whidbey athletes did.

Fallon and Sparkman — class acts through and through, even if I think they’re wearing the wrong colors.

But deep down, the colors don’t always matter.

What does is one Whidbey, kickin’ ass and takin’ names. Always.

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