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Wolves burn up the trails

July 26, 2020 by David Svien

Wolf runners use their summer time wisely. (Photos courtesy Elizabeth Bitting)

It was a busy week for Coupeville cross country.

Continuing to put in off-season work, runners from the middle school and high school combined to rack up 112 miles, pushing their summer total to 600.6 miles.

But it wasn’t all grit ‘n grind, as the Wolves also participated in their second virtual race.

The Rhodie Roadie Run, set up by CMS cross country guru Elizabeth Bitting, was a 1.98-mile affair.

 

Results:

High School:

Hank Milnes (1st) 12:35
Alex Wasik (2nd) 13:02
Reiley Araceley (3rd) 13:53
Tate Wyman (4th) 14:20
Helen Strelow (5th) 15:26

 

Middle School:

Jack Porter (1st) 12:24
Thomas Strelow (2nd) 14:05
Nik Wasik (3rd) 14:16
Ayden Wyman (4th) 15:45
Johnny Porter (5th) 16:40

 

The Wolves have two more virtual races set for this summer, but will take next week off, focusing on just putting in some mileage at their own pace.

Bitting has set up two runs for her proteges, a 3.4-mile jaunt and a 5.5+-mile workout.

Regardless of which run each Wolf chooses, their coach also wants them to include some “fartleks” in at least one of their workouts.

“The most fun of all run names, “fartleks” — the Swedish term for “speed play” — are similar to intervals in that they vary between intense and moderate effort, but they do so in an unstructured manner,” Bitting said.

“Essentially, you run hard for a time or distance that seems appropriate, follow this spurt by a short recovery.

“Fartlek runs are great for simulating races, because they force you to increase your speed unexpectedly, as you do when passing an opponent.

“They train your body to recruit more muscle fibers even when you are tired.”

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Aug. 7 likely D-Day for Coupeville Schools

July 25, 2020 by David Svien

Coupeville Schools Superintendent Steve King

The Coupeville School District is targeting August 7 for an announcement on how it will reopen for the 2020-2021 school year.

The first day of school is currently set for Sept. 8.

“I know that this is a top priority for everyone and I will start by saying that we are committed to educating our students with health and safety as a top priority,” Superintendent Steve King said in an email.

“We also need to make sure that we address issues of equity, giving each and every student in our district the opportunity to be successful.”

Coupeville schools, like all others in Washington state, have been shut down since March as the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.

A decision will need to be made as to whether to return to full-time in-person teaching, full-time online learning, or a hybrid of the two.

Many larger school districts in the state, from Seattle to Tahoma, have chosen the 100% online option this week.

Coupeville is in a unique situation, though, as Island County is in Phase 3 of Governor Jay Inslee’s four-phase reopening plan, while all surrounding counties are still in Phase 2.

In his email, King said the district is sending out a second survey to staff and families to gauge where everyone stands on the different educational options.

The Superintendent will also consult with school board members, union group leaders, Island County Public Health officials, and his peers from the Oak Harbor and South Whidbey school districts.

King and his staff are reviewing regional and state health data, and also working closely with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Northwest Educational Service District.

Whatever decision King comes to will need to be approved by the Island County Health Department.

After all that, it is entirely possible the decision will be taken out of his hands, he admitted.

“Over the past several months I have learned that trying to predict things can be dangerous and we can certainly never count on anyone’s predictions during these unprecedented times,” King said.

“Having said that, I want you to know that I do think that there is at least some possibility that the state may only allow remote or distance learning as the school year approaches.”

The Washington Education Association has asked Inslee to mandate all state schools use the 100% online option when schools open, but, for now, the choice remains in the hands of the superintendents.

“At this point opening schools is still a local decision,” King said. “So we will proceed with our decision-making plan as I have outlined.

“I hope that each and every one of you enjoy the rest of your summer and I encourage everyone to enjoy the many positives that continue to exist in our lives even during difficult times like these.”

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Whidbey Triathlon lives on, virtually

July 24, 2020 by David Svien

Stay home, but still get that triathlon burn.

Want to stay active in the time of coronavirus?

You can compete in one of Whidbey’s premier athletic events without coming to the Island this summer.

And let’s stress that last part, as you can take part in the Whidbey Island Triathlon but not transport any potential germs to Phase 3 Island County from your blighted Phase 1 or Phase 2 burgs.

Just sayin’.

As the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, the triathlon, in its 24th year of existence, has gone virtual.

Instead of being a one-day competition on Whidbey, the event, managed by the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District, is being offered July 24-August 2.

Normally, the Whidbey Triathlon consists of a half-mile swim, a 19-mile bike ride, and a 3.75-mile run.

So, not the Ironman, but still a nice, tough challenge.

This time around, there is no official race course — again, stay off of Whidbey; we have cattle prods and will use them! — which also means no awards for placing.

But, if you take a look at the event’s web site, you’ll find a variety of different ways to get that triathlon burn … without being singed by any wayward cattle prods.

That includes being able to use a kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or indoor rowing machine to simulate the swim session, or a treadmill for the running leg.

For much more info, pop over to:

Whidbey Island Triathlon

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Memorial planned for Falcon soccer ace

July 24, 2020 by David Svien

A celebration of life has been set for South Whidbey High School senior Taylor Daniels, who died from injuries suffered in a car crash Monday in Freeland.

Daniels, 17, was a member of the Falcons soccer team.

He and older brother Nevin, 19, were turning onto Highway 525 from Honeymoon Bay Road and were hit by an oncoming truck.

The celebration of Taylor’s life is August 2 at the South Whidbey Sports Complex in Langley.

With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, all attendees are asked to honor the state’s mandate to wear masks.

The event will be held outdoors, allowing for social distancing.

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Hardball heroes nab final swing

July 23, 2020 by David Svien

The bright future of Coupeville baseball. (Photo courtesy Jeff Porter)

One more game, before another shutdown.

Coupeville’s Babe Ruth baseball squad hasn’t had much time on the diamond this summer, with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic throwing a huge wrench into things.

But Thursday the Wolves took the field to host Anacortes, and, while they fell 5-3 despite a late rally, they got to play, which was a win in itself.

It was Coupeville’s sixth, and final, game of this shortened season, as it only has nine players and won’t go on to play in any tournaments.

The mere fact the Wolves were on the CHS diamond might have come to a surprise to some, as Washington state Governor Jay Inslee issued new limits on gatherings which went into effect July 20.

Counties in Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan, such as Island County, are currently restricted to 10 people getting together.

However, after some digging by Oak Harbor Babe Ruth officials, it was determined there was an exclusion for outdoor sporting events.

Which brings us to Thursday, when the scrappy Wolves fell behind 5-0, then almost came all the way back in the bottom of the seventh and final inning.

Coupeville opened its last at-bats of the game, and season, with four straight walks, as Camden Glover, Johnny Porter, Marcelo Gebhard, and Aiden O’Neill all got aboard thanks to eagle eyes.

That set up the top of the order, and Scott Hilborn and Jack Porter responded, whacking back-to-back singles to make the Anacortes coaching staff start sweating in the autumn-like weather.

But the visitors got away with one, finding a way to stop the Coupeville onslaught and deny Wolf fans a chance to storm the field in celebration.

Anacortes got on the board early, plating two runners in the first, then two more in the second.

A final tally in the top of the sixth provided a little bit of a cushion.

Jack Porter, Johnny Valenzuela, and Hilborn split the pitching duties for Coupeville, with Valenzuela whiffing seven hitters across five innings of work.

Hilborn and Jack Porter paced the Wolf offense, collecting a pair of singles apiece, while Chase Anderson and Valenzuela also picked up base knocks.

Coupeville tallied seven walks, led by two each from Gebhard and O’Neill, to go with its six hits.

Eight of the nine Wolves in uniform reached base Thursday, with Landon Roberts rounding out the lineup for a team with a bright future, and, hopefully, many more games ahead of it.

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