Coupeville Sports

Jump flings her way to success

April 4, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville grad Taygin Jump (left), seen here last spring, kicked off a new season of collegiate track and field action Friday in New York. (Photo courtesy Christina Jump)

She’s off to a roaring start.

Coupeville grad Taygin Jump, now a sophomore at Plattsburgh State, opened the outdoor track and field season Friday by flinging her javelin into the wild blue yonder.

When the implement came crashing back down to Earth at the Hamilton Outdoor Invitational in Clinton, New York, the former Wolf had a PR of 103 feet, eight inches, good for 2nd place in a 14-woman field.

Jump joined teammates Marissa LeDuc (Long Jump) and Isabella Scott (400), as well as Plattsburgh’s 4 x 100 relay squad in claiming runner-up finishes in the opener.

When she’s not chucking things at track meets, or pursuing her well-documented love of rocks, Aleksia and Khanor’s older sibling is pursuing a degree in Environmental Planning & Management/Geology.

Plattsburgh track and field returns to action April 11 at the “RPI Friday Night Under the Lights” in Troy, New York.

Posted in Track, Wolves in college | Tagged CHS Wolves, javelin, PR, SUNY Plattsburgh, Taygin Jump, track and field | Leave a Comment »

Big pitches, big honor

April 3, 2025 by David Svien

Adeline Maynes brings the heat. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The fab frosh is getting her flowers.

Fastball-flinging Coupeville High School softball pitcher Adeline Maynes was honored Thursday by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, named as one of its Athletes of the Week.

The WIAA honors male and female athletes from all classifications (4A-1B) throughout the school year.

Maynes, who is already in her second year as the ace of the Wolf pitching staff, has been lights out as Coupeville has shot out to a 5-1 record to begin the new campaign.

The WIAA honor is for a two-game stretch where she tossed a one-hitter against East Jefferson, followed by a no-hitter against Meridian.

Over the two road games, Maynes whiffed 22 batters.

While she’s dominating the softball field once again this spring, the serene strikeout artist is a young woman of many talents.

She plays volleyball and basketball for the Wolves and is a straight-A student in the classroom.

To read more about Maynes and her fellow Week 29 honorees, pop over to:

Athlete of the Week

Posted in Softball | Tagged Adeline Maynes, athlete of the week, CHS Wolves, Softball, WIAA | Leave a Comment »

Oak Harbor Cinemas nab new local owners

April 2, 2025 by David Svien

Bryan and Carrie Stucky pose in their new business. (Photo property Oak Harbor Cinemas)

The business empire expands.

Oak Harbor City Councilman Bryan Stucky and his wife Carrie are the new owners of Oak Harbor Cinemas.

The duo, who own and operate Wallin-Stucky Funeral Home, acknowledged the move on social media Wednesday afternoon.

“After seeing the theater sit on the market for an extended period, we couldn’t help but worry about its future, especially with the possibility of it closing or falling into the hands of an off-Island investor,” the couple wrote on Facebook.

“After months of thoughtful conversations, we knew we had to step up to preserve this beloved community asset.”

The three-screen complex debuted on Barlow Street in the mid-’80s and was my home away from home for many years starting with the arrival of Tim Burton’s “Batman” in 1989 shortly after my family moved to Whidbey.

There was a substantial time period (decades even) where a seat in the back row of each of the three rooms perfectly contoured to my posterior — until the scourge of cell phone usage in otherwise-darkened theaters drove me to move my viewing hours to my duplex.

The Stucky’s, however, still believe in the power of communal cinema, and I wish them all the best.

“While streaming from home is convenient, there’s something truly special about experiencing a movie with family and friends on the big screen,” the couple said on Facebook.

“It’s an important part of what brings people together, and we’re committed to keeping that tradition alive.”

In introducing themselves as the new owners, the couple talked about plans for the future.

“We have some ideas in the works and are eager to collaborate with the fantastic staff to bring even more excitement to Oak Harbor Cinemas,” they said.

“Expect fun additions like expanded concessions, birthday parties, sensory friendly showings, video games on the big screen, and possibly some other surprises along the way.

“While this may help bring a little something new, we want to assure you that the heart of the theater will always remain the same: a welcoming space where everyone can gather and enjoy a great movie.”

The Stucky’s bought the theater from business partners John Solin and Michel Gahard, who took control of Oak Harbor Cinemas in 2019 after Far Away Entertainment pulled out, ending a 15-year run.

Solin was the original owner of the business.

Posted in Movie Mania | Tagged Bryan Stucky, business sales, John Solin, landmark, Oak Harbor Cinemas | Leave a Comment »

Spiker guru stepping away

April 1, 2025 by David Svien

Cory Whitmore led CHS volleyball on three trips to the state tourney. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It’s the end of a remarkable run.

Cory Whitmore, who posted nine consecutive winning seasons during his time as Coupeville High School varsity volleyball coach, has tendered his resignation.

It follows on the heels of JV volleyball coach Ashley Menges stepping down in November to move to Florida.

While the latest news hits on April Fool’s Day, it’s reality, and not a joke.

“Having held this role for the past ten years it has without a doubt been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Whitmore said.

“The memories made, and the relationships built will last a lifetime.

“I am so proud to have worked with incredible young adults, their parents/guardians, colleagues and community members, and I am so grateful to the support I received as we worked together to make the mission and vision possible.”

Whitmore, who teaches at Oak Harbor High School, was hired to coach Wolf volleyball in 2016 after Breanne Smedley left to accept a job with Columbia River.

Coupeville had won seven matches across the previous two seasons but promptly went 11-6 under its new coach.

Whitmore led the CHS spikers to the state tournament in 2017, their first appearance at the big dance since concluding a four-year run in 2004.

The Wolves made it back to the Yakima SunDome in both 2023 and 2024, with this past fall’s team breaking every record in program history.

In what proved to be Whitmore’s final run as its coach, Coupeville was undefeated until the final day of the season, went 18-2, and earned a fourth-place trophy at the 2B tourney.

That was the first state trophy garnered by a Wolf spiker crew.

“I will always be so proud of all that we accomplished, with our primary emphasis being to guide and develop young people into their best versions, successful on and off the court,” Whitmore said.

“I have given my heart and soul to the program, and even through the challenges, I remained determined to rise up and give more and more to reach the goals we set forth.”

Whitmore and husband Cris Matochi celebrate their union with former Wolf spiker star Valen (Trujillo) Printz, who shot their elopement pics.

Putting himself fully into volleyball has been essential to building success, but it has also left the eternally upbeat coach a bit burnt out.

“There have been areas in life that I have neglected a healthy balance,” Whitmore said. “And while I will deeply miss my role as head coach of the program, I do think that those neglected areas deserve as much of my attention.”

During his time at the helm of the CHS program, Whitmore, a top three-sport athlete back in his days in Ritzville, guided multiple Wolf spikers to awards and All-State appearances.

He also built a strong feeder program with the Wolf Pups program, ensuring prospective volleyball players would have a chance to embrace the game from a young age.

Before coming to Coupeville, Whitmore graduated from Washington State University, where he worked as an assistant volleyball coach at Colfax High School during a time when it won two state titles.

He teaches English at OHHS, and coached C-Team volleyball at that school, along with working with the Whidbey Fury club team before taking over the Wolf program.

Whitmore enjoys the All-State game with Wolf seniors Alita Blouin (2) and Maddie Georges. (Suzan Georges photo)

As he exits the CHS gym (or at least won’t live there on a regular basis), Whitmore looks back with pride.

“It was so difficult to come to this decision because I still have so much love for the current, past and potential future players and their families,” he said.

“I still love volleyball; I still believe in the mission and vision for the program.”

And while he won’t be at the head of the program, he will still be around, Coupeville volleyball’s #1 supporter.

“I think to anyone paying attention, you have come to know my passion for serving the young adults in this incredible community, and my love for building up a program we can share in,” Whitmore said.

“To those close to me and in need, don’t ever hesitate to reach out for support – I don’t plan on moving and will continue to enjoy the chance at helping those in my community.

“There is no way to adequately thank all those that have supported me and the program along the way, but I hold so much gratitude to so many in this community.

“Through my role as coach, I’ve also made life-long friends and I’m incredibly grateful to what this journey has given to me.

“Forever and always, Go Wolves!”

Whitmore’s CHS volleyball coaching record:

2016: 11-6
2017: 13-5 (State)
2018: 11-5
2019: 14-5
2020: 6-3 (Partial season – Covid)
2021: 11-6
2022: 10-6
2023: 12-7 (State)
2024: 18-2 (State – 4th)

Total: 106-45

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged CHS Wolves, Cory Whitmore, resignation, state tournament, volleyball | Leave a Comment »