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Archive for the ‘Wolves in college’ Category

A matter of great historical importance happened today!!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, Happy birthday, Whidbey's Best, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , on March 22, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Taya Boonstra: Legend

Taya Boonstra: Legend

21 years ago a legend was born.

If rumors are correct, Taya Boonstra, at approximately ten seconds after birth, popped her eyes open, looked around and yelled “Hey, where’s my camera?!?!?”

Then, she found it, cocked a finger and winked at the photographer and we were off.

There is a long, proud tradition of camera-lovin’, photo bomb-workin’ young women attending Coupeville High School, but, really, when you get down to it, only two can go toe-to-toe at the very tip-top of the game.

One is urban legend/force of nature McKayla Bailey. The other the sensational, bright as a whip, fast ‘n fun Tatiana.

Or, as the Everett Herald used to love to call her from time to time, Taya Boonscara.

Taya is now, and has always been, a bright ray of sunshine in this world.

She is genuinely one of the sweetest, kindest, loveliest, most talented people you are ever likely to meet.

And I’m not just saying that because she once baked me cookies…

A lot of athletes have come and gone at CHS, and many more are on their way.

Some will achieve great athletic moments. Some will be top students. Some will be first-rate people.

Few will be able to combine all three aspects and effortlessly take it to the level that Miss Boonstra does every day.

As you celebrate your birthday today, Taya, and in every day after that, I hope you always know how much others think of you.

How proud of you we all are.

What a wonderful impact you have had, and continue to have, on everyone around you.

You spread grace and joy everywhere you go, Taya. That is a gift and you are the very definition of gifted, in every sense of the word.

Your first 21 years have been remarkable. All the years to come will just grow the legend even more.

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Rumblin’ Tumblin invades Canada!!

Posted in Football, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , , on March 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Jake Tumblin (left) withg dad Chris.

Jake Tumblin (left) with dad Chris.

He's not stumblin, he's rumblin', he's Jake Tumblin. (John Fisken photo)

He’s not stumblin’, he’s rumblin’, he’s Jake Tumblin. (John Fisken photo)

Jake the Snake will be running wild in Burnaby.

Former Coupeville High School football/baseball star Jake Tumblin, who rushed for 1,000+ yards in his senior season in 2013, will be taking his game North of the border.

Tumblin has accepted an offer to attend Simon Fraser University in British Columbia on a partial scholarship.

SFU, which claims a Scottish Terrier named McFogg the Dog as its mascot (thanks, Wikipedia!), plays NCAA Division II football, the only Canadian school to do so.

Home to 30,000 students, the school, named in honor of a fur trader and explorer, was founded in 1965.

The Clan, who went 2-9 last season, are scheduled to play Central Washington, which claims Tumblin’s CHS teammate Nick Streubel on its roster, twice in 2015.

The Big Hurt red-shirted his freshman season at Central, but it’s unknown how Simon Fraser will use Tumblin.

“As far as playing time, they mentioned putting me on special teams my first year, and possibly defensive back,” Tumblin said. “But that all depends on how much I produce during camp.”

The chance to play, and the school’s stellar academic history, both drew him to the school.

“SFU offered me a great opportunity to earn a degree from a very prestigious school while playing the game I love,” Tumblin said.

He plans to go into business, and Simon Fraser has a very well-regarded school of business.

“I really like how dedicated the university is to academic success,” Tumblin said. “And how much effort the staff puts into making sure the players are excelling in their studies.”

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Back to the diamond!!

Posted in Softball, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , on February 27, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Former Wolf superstar Madeline Roberts

Former Wolf superstar Madeline Roberts (third from left, bottom row) poses with her college squad. (Photo copyright Shoreline Community College)

Roberts (left) with fellow seniors Breeanna Messner (center) and Haley Sherman. (John Fisken photo)

Roberts (left), back in the day, celebrating Senior Night with Breeanna Messner (center) and Haley Sherman. (John Fisken photo)

Madeline Roberts is days away from officially becoming a two-sport college athlete.

The Shoreline Community College freshman, who’s about to wrap up an unexpected basketball season (her first in four years) kicks off her main sport in less than a week.

Roberts is on scholarship as a softball player and she and her Dolphin teammates open play March 4.

The school posted the top photo, showcasing this year’s team, on its Facebook page this afternoon, and we’re passing it on to Wolf Nation.

Mad Dog fever continues to rage across the land.

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All hail Cow Town’s court jester!!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, Baseball, Boys Tennis, Happy birthday, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , , , , on February 26, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Brian Norris, ladies and gentlemen.

Brian Norris, ladies and gentlemen. In all his glory.

He is a scamp.

A walking, talking, joybuzzer-wielding whoopee cushion come to life.

During his time at the center of Coupeville High School sports, few could match the spirit and joy Brian Norris brought to the stage.

He had fun as a baseball and tennis player, taking the sports seriously, but himself and his teammates not so much.

His greatest accomplishments may have come, however, when he stepped to the sideline, and along with other legends like Danny Savalza, Jake Tumblin and Brenden Coleman, goosed Wolf Nation and anyone he could get his hands on.

A loud ‘n proud vuvuzela horn-blowing mad man at a time when the school administration frowned on spontaneous (or choreographed) inanity of any kind, he fought the good battle.

Norris honored those who went before him, the mythical legends like Will Butela and Mike Duke, and, thankfully, seems to have inspired those behind him.

Even as he is off in Colorado matriculating at the University of Denver (and creating havoc on the radio Mondays 4-5 PM and Thursday 2-3, streaming at http://du.orgsync.com/org/kxdu/home), the seeds he helped plant locally have begun to take root.

The CHS sophomores have brought the costumes back out this year, got a little wild at times, staged a rebirth of the lively student section Norris and the lads once made bounce.

He may be gone, but his legacy lives on.

I know he’d be proud of that, and it makes for a nice birthday present as he celebrates his big day today.

So, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing today, make some noise for Brian. Let the sounds of Cow Town wash across the USA and land on his ears in Colorado.

If he can hear them above whatever mischief he’s up to himself, of course.

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Mad Dog: Live and in color!!

Posted in Basketball, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , on February 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Madeline Roberts (John Fisken photo)

Former Wolf Madeline Roberts, primarily a softball player in high school, sees some action on a college basketball court. (John Fisken photo)

College is all about exploring new things.

Former Wolf superstar Madeline Roberts is proving that daily, as the softball sensation continues to play out an unexpected sports diversion.

After playing high school hoops only as a freshman, she wasn’t the first person you’d expect to pick back up the sport.

And yet here she is, almost 20 games into her freshman basketball season at Shoreline Community College.

Roving photo man John Fisken was down Mount Vernon way Wednesday and caught Roberts in action against Skagit Valley College to prove it was fact and not just a rumor.

Might not be her usual sport, but one thing remains true — Mad Dog will kick your fanny in whatever sport she chooses to play.

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