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Coop Cooper, seen last season, delivered a strong pitching performance Thursday, whiffing 10 on Friday Harbor. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The offensive struggles continue.

Blanked for the fourth time in five games, a largely inexperienced Coupeville High School baseball team fell 3-0 at Friday Harbor Thursday afternoon.

The Wolves, who are learning on the job, fall to 0-2 in Northwest 2B/1B League play, 0-5 overall heading into a home non-conference game Saturday against South Whidbey, which sits at 1-3.

There were definite bright spots for Coupeville Thursday.

The three runs surrendered were the fewest by far this season, the Wolves committed a season-low one error, and starting pitcher Coop Cooper whiffed 10 batters in 4+ innings of work.

But the Wolves also went down 1-2-3 in six of seven innings, striking out 16 times against Friday Harbor sophomore hurler Jackson Feliz.

The only frame in which CHS put a runner on base was the top of the fourth, and it was a prime opportunity which didn’t come to total fruition.

With Feliz buzzing through a perfect game, the Wolves suddenly loaded the bases with no outs.

Landon Roberts ripped a liner to right field, Carson Grove got plunked by a wayward pitch, and Camden Glover dropped a bunt single down the third-base line.

For a team which has been outscored 50-3 this season, the chance to bust through was tantalizingly close.

Then the door slammed shut, with Feliz picking up another K, before inducing a double-play ground ball to end the rally.

Friday Harbor, which only had three hits on the day, had just enough offense of its own to salt away the win and claim a sweep of the two-game series between island rivals.

The Wolverines pushed a run across in the third, thanks to a walk, a single, and a wild pitch, before adding insurance tallies in the fifth and sixth.

Tenley Stuurmans lets it rip. (Bailey Thule photos)

They’re back.

Thanks to new courts being planned, then delayed, the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis team hadn’t played a home match since spring 2023.

That finally changed Tuesday, as surprisingly warm weather greeted the Wolves and visiting East Jefferson.

“The weather was beautiful — sunny, warm, and the perfect day for a home opener!” said CHS coach Starla Seal.

The match itself was a barn burner, as Coupeville swept the singles matches, while the visitors took the doubles bouts to claim the 3-2 win.

After opening with a pair of non-conference tilts against East Jefferson, which is a mashup of Chimacum and Port Townsend, the Wolves hit the road Friday for their Northwest 2B/1B League opener.

Coupeville will island hop over to Friday Harbor, for the first of four rumbles with their archrivals.

Tuesday’s match was highlighted by a three-set battle royal at #2 singles, with Coupeville ace Dahlia Miller pulling out the victory.

Dahlia did amazing!” Seal said. “She battled to a third set and just killed it in the third set!

“Great match to watch! Dahlia is a very focused player and we’re lucky to have her!”

Coupeville’s other win came courtesy fab frosh Tenley Stuurmans, who advanced to the state tourney as just an 8th grader, while the new-look doubles teams are finding their groove.

“I’m impressed at how dedicated they are working on all their skills and playing loads of matches,” Seal said.

Ember and Mila Light worked hard and played two matches, winning their second match against a JV team,” she added.

“This is Mila’s first match; the sisters worked well together and battled out each point.”

From top to bottom, the Wolf roster brought their best games as they officially debuted the new courts.

“All worked hard, and we are so proud of them!” Seal said.

Kauri Hamilton bonds with mom Shannon.

 

Tuesday’s results:

 

Varsity:

1st Singles — Tenley Stuurmans beat Rennie O’Donnell 6-1, 6-1

2nd Singles — Dahlia Lewis beat Autumn Cervenlia 6-2, 3-6, 6-1

1st Doubles — Kauri Hamilton/Sofia Phay lost to Lucia Fields/Gracie Witherwidge 6-0, 6-2

2nd Doubles — Ember Light/Mila Light lost to Livia Lee/Brooke Tomasetti 6-2, 6-1

3rd Doubles — Delanie Lewis/Miles Gerber lost to Olivia Larson/Colline Mosher 6-1, 6-2

 

JV:

4th Doubles — Samantha Wallace/Hailey Goldman lost to Bella Ferland/Fern French 6-2, 6-3

5th Doubles — Rowan Stoner/Chloe Ferguson lost to Ursula Schmidt/Zinnia Blachtley 6-0, 6-0

6th Doubles — Savannah Coxsey/Ashley Wells lost to Rise Spamm/Sienna Vasques Viento 6-2, 6-1

7th Doubles — Ember Light/Mila Light beat Tara Bradley/Brooke Tomasetti 6-4

Ready for battle!

Wolf junior Aleksia Jump won the pole vault Wednesday at a 10-team meet and finished 2nd in the 3200. (Parker Hammons photo)

Let the PRs and wins rain down.

The weather report Wednesday promised death and destruction, or at least epic-sized hail, lightning, and thunder, but the Coupeville High School track team is too quick for Mother Nature.

Putting up a strong team-wide performance in Mount Vernon, the Wolves collected 13 wins, 69 PRs and a triumph in the boys’ team standings at a 10-team meet.

The CHS male athletes, spurred on by eight victories, racked up an even 200 points to stay way ahead of runner-up Mount Vernon Christian, which finished with 126.5.

On the girls’ side of things, MVC survived a three-way battle with La Conner and Coupeville to claim the team title.

The Hurricanes amassed 158 points, with the Braves (125.5) and Wolves (114) hot on their heels.

Coupeville’s seniors lead the way. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Lyla Stuurmans (800, 1600), Cael Wilson (High Jump, Pole Vault), Katie Marti (Shot Put, Discus) and Carson Field (800, 1600) each won two events, while Preston Epp was tops in the 400 and ran a leg on a triumphant 4 x 100 relay unit.

He was joined by Marquette Cunningham, Davin Houston, and Chase Anderson on that squad.

Rounding out Coupeville’s winners were Matthew Ward (Triple Jump), Aleksia Jump (Pole Vault), and George Spear (3200).

The results left Wolf coaches suitably impressed.

“They’re in a groove,” said Bob Martin. “Great meet — fast, focused, and ahead of the storm!”

Part of Coupeville’s squad returns to action this Saturday with an appearance at the Stanwood Freshman/Sophomore Showcase, with the spotlight fully turned on the young guns.

 

Wednesday’s results:

 

GIRLS:

100 — Laken Simpson (5th) 14.0 *PR*; Isa Mc Fetridge (14th) 14.4 *PR*; Willow Leedy-Bonifas (18th) 14.8 *PR*; Violet Devine (28th) 16.3 *PR*

200 — Noelle Western (18th) 33.4; Leedy-Bonifas (20th) 34.6 *PR*; Devine (21st) 36.2 *PR*

400 — Olivia Hall (5th) 1:13.6 *PR*; Western (6th) 1:14.9 *PR*; Marin Winger (7th) 1:21.6

800 — Lyla Stuurmans (1st) 2:40.9; Ivy Rudat (9th) 3:06.9 *PR*; Lillian Ketterling (10th) 3:08.1 *PR*; Mikayla Wagner (12th) 3:19.4; Lexis Drake (13th) 3:22.4

1600 — Stuurmans (1st) 6:12.5 *PR*; Aleksia Jump (6th) 7:08.8; Wagner (8th) 7:18.4; Devon Wyman (10th) 7:55.1 *PR*

3200 — A. Jump (2nd) 15:18.4; D. Wyman (3rd) 16:42.7 *PR*

100 Hurdles — Myra McDonald (12th) 21.1; Ari Cunningham (13th) 21.2 *PR*; Frankie Tenore (15th) 23.9

300 Hurdles — McDonald (8th) 1:03.9; A. Cunningham (9th) 1:04.0 *PR*; Tenore (11th) 1:10.2 *PR*

4 x 100 Relay — Leedy-Bonifas, Mc Fetridge, Hall, Simpson (6th) 58.4

4 x 200 Relay — Mc Fetridge, A. Wyman, Leedy-Bonifas, Hall (7th) 2:07.2

4 x 400 Relay — Drake, Ketterling, Winger, Simpson (3rd) 5:14.9

Shot Put — Katie Marti (1st) 31-11; Emma McFadden (13th) 19-02.50 *PR*

Discus — Marti (1st) 85-07; Ketterling (4th) 71-07; McFadden (18th) 45-07 *PR*

Javelin — Marti (3rd) 89-06

High Jump — Tenore (6th) 4-04; A. Wyman (8th) 4-04

Pole Vault — A. Jump (1st) 7-00; I. Rudat (4th) 5-06

Long Jump — McDonald (7th) 12-2 *PR*; A. Cunningham (10th) 11-05.5

 

BOYS:

100 — Chase Anderson (3rd) 11.4 *PR*; Marquette Cunningham (4th) 11.5 *PR*; Davin Houston (6th) 11.7 *PR*; Marcelo Gebhard (14th) 12.1 *PR*; Nathan Coxsey (25th) 12.6 *PR*; Easton Green (27th) 12.7 *PR*; Richmond Bandong (45th) 13.3 *PR*; Will Tierney (47th) 13.5 *PR*; Nikolas Rogers (53rd) 14.1 *PR*

200 — Anderson (2nd) 23.9 *PR*; Matthew Ward (4th) 24.8 *PR*; M. Cunningham (6th) 25.0; E. Green (12th) 25.6 *PR*; Blake Burrows (14th) 25.7; Dane Hadsall (18th) 26.5 *PR*; Coxsey (20th) 27.1 *PR*; Edmund Wilson (22nd) 27.2 *PR*; Bandong (24th) 28.0 *PR*; Jonah Weyl (26th) 28.5 *PR*; Rogers (27th) 29.1 *PR*

400 — Preston Epp (1st) 54.2; Burrows (7th) 58.9; Hadsall (8th) 1:01.96; Weyl (16th) 1:04.9 *PR*; Tierney (17th) 1:07.4 *PR*; Rogers (18th) 1:11.5 *PR*

800 — Carson Field (1st) 2:08.8; Joshua Stockdale (4th) 2:24.6 *PR*; Solomon Rudat (6th) 2:28.0 *PR*; Kenneth Jacobsen (7th) 2:28.5; Finn Price (9th) 2:33.2 *PR*; Johnathan Jacobsen (12th) 2:41.9 *PR*; Shiloh Sandlin (13th) 2:42.0 *PR*; Isaiah Allen (14th) 3:08.2 *PR*

1600 — Field (1st) 4:44.6 *PR*; Malachi Somes (3rd) 5:08.1; George Spear (4th) 5;15.3; K. Jacobsen (6th) 5:18.3; Stockdale (8th) 5:22.3 *PR*; Ethan Walling (15th) 5:51.7; Allen (18th) 6:12.9 *PR*; Nicholas Wasik (22nd) 6:37.7 *PR*

3200 — Spear (1st) 10:50.3 *PR*; Walling (3rd) 13:08.8; Edmund Kunz (4th) 13:17.4 *PR*

110 Hurdles — Axel Marshall (6th) 19.1; Liam Blas (7th) 20.5 *PR*

300 Hurdles — Blas (4th) 48.07 *PR*; Marshall (5th) 49.8 *PR*

4 x 100 Relay — M. Cunningham, Houston, EppAnderson (1st) 45.8; Tierney, Coxsey, E. Wilson, B. Green (7th) 51.1

4 x 400 Relay — C. Wilson, Burrows, Anderson, Epp (2nd) 3:49.6; Coxsey, Weyl, Blas, B. Green (4th) 4:18.3

Shot Put — Zac Tackett (4th) 34-02; Gebhard (8th) 33-08; Khanor Jump (14th) 28-05; Mason Butler (16th) 27-04.50 *PR*; K. Jacobsen (20th) 23-11; Zach Blitch (27th) 20-04 *PR*

Discus — Tackett (3rd) 119-10.5; Butler (5th) 108-04 *PR*; Blas (13th) 80-05.5 *PR*; K. Jump (16th) 74-10; Wasik (18th) 68-03; J. Jacobsen (25th) 62-05.5 *PR*; Blitch (31st) 54-04 *PR*

Javelin — Gebhard (7th) 111-08; Rogers (17th) 86-06 *PR*; J. Jacobsen (31st) 54-04 *PR*; K. Jacobsen (32nd) 46-06 *PR*

High Jump — C. Wilson (1st) 6-00; Houston (10th) 5-02; J. Jacobsen (14th) 4-08

Pole Vault — C. Wilson (1st) 11-06; Marshall (5th) 8-00; S. Rudat (9th) 6-06

Long Jump — Burrows (14th) 16-05 *PR*; Wyatt Fitch-Marron (21st) 15-07.50 *PR*; Sandlin (24th) 14-06.50 *PR*

Triple Jump — Ward (1st) 37-09 *PR*; Marshall (7th) 32-10.50

Tamsin Ward has 23 wins through two seasons of middle school track and field. (Photo courtesy Jandellyn Ward)

Almost time to head outdoors.

Coupeville Middle School athletes start track and field practice April 14 and will be welcomed by a pack of three leaders.

Jon Gabelein returns to anchor the coaching staff, with Brooke Crowder and Kelly Powers joining to replace Amber Wyman.

Their hire will be official once approved by the school board at its meeting Thursday night.

The young Wolves, who will draw competitors from grades 6-8, have a six-meet schedule.

 

Wed-Apr. 30 — HOME (South Whidbey, King’s)
Wed-May 7 — @ Sultan (Lakewood, Granite Falls)
Wed-May 14 — HOME (Northshore Christian, Granite Falls)
Wed-May 21 — @ South Whidbey (Sultan)
Mon-June 2 — Cascade League Prelims @ Lakewood
Thur-June 5 — Cascade League Finals @ Lakewood

Booters lose leader

Robert Wood strolls the sideline. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

He kept the program operating through a pandemic, but now the time has come to depart the soccer pitch.

On a full-time basis, at least.

Coupeville High School head boys’ soccer coach Robert Wood has tendered his resignation after five seasons at the helm.

The decision is based on “new job and family commitments (which) require too much time away to continue as head coach.”

Wood pledged he’d still be around and volunteer when able.

He issued the following letter to parents, players, and team supporters:

After a long debate and careful consideration, I send you this note announcing my intent to resign as the head coach for CHS Soccer.

I have a new job since December 2024, and over the past few months it’s become clear that the increased regular travel requirements along with expanded daily commitments will prohibit me from giving the team everything you deserve.

It is not fair to you as a player, the team, nor all the families for me to hold the position and not be able to give it the attention required.

As you can imagine, this decision was not easy to come by as I’ve given so much energy and emotion to building our program over the past 15 years.

Working with CWSC and studying under the previous CHS soccer coaches has been such a rewarding experience.

Every player, every coach, every member of the staff at CHS (in particular Mrs. Ford, who supported me to no end with a smile and the utmost grace) have helped me create a truly unique soccer culture in Coupeville.

I am eternally grateful to the support and trust everyone has given me over the years.

As I step down as the head coach, please realize this opens up a great opportunity for new ideas and new leadership at a time when our sport is rising in popularity and our team culture exudes a rapport envied by every other school in our league. 

Rest assured that I will be supporting the team as a volunteer when my time allows, and I will be participating in the transition and installment of new leadership for the team.

Thank you for the time you have given me.

All my best.

Wood started with CHS soccer as an assistant coach, then stepped up to become head coach when Kyle Nelson retired.

His first year in charge of the boys’ program in 2020 presented multiple issues, with an ongoing pandemic and a struggle to keep a viable roster going.

Wood succeeded in keeping soccer alive, even as boys’ tennis fell by the wayside in Coupeville, and the Wolf booters increased their win total in each of his seasons while playing in the premier 2B/1B league for the sport in Washington state.