Coupeville Sports

Cundiff returns, Kappes in limbo

March 19, 2025 by David Svien

One of two Coupeville High School/Middle School administrators placed on a “non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation” in December is returning to work, but the other one remains missing in action.

Allyson Cundiff, who was the CHS/CMS Assistant Principal, will be back with the district Thursday, but in “a new capacity.”

A letter sent to parents Wednesday by Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood says Cundiff will “be helping with various administrative tasks that support our school buildings and student needs.”

The letter to parents does not address the status of CHS/CMS Principal Geoff Kappes, who has been on the same leave since Dec. 16.

Leatherwood states that interim principal Springy Yamasaki “continues to serve as principal.”

“While I don’t have any additional information to share at this time, I want to reassure you that our primary focus remains on providing a quality education and supporting the success of each student in our care,” the letter concludes.

District officials have not commented publicly on any aspect of the situation, though the Whidbey News-Times did publish this story:

‘Minority Rape Cult’ has consequences for administrators, students at Coupeville schools

Posted in Administration | Tagged administrators, Allyson Cundiff, Coupeville School District, Geoff Kappes, Shannon Leatherwood | Leave a Comment »

Diamond men launch new campaign

March 18, 2025 by David Svien

Coop Cooper is a veteran leader on a young Wolf hardball squad. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

There’s bound to be some bumps in the road.

After back-to-back trips to the 2B state playoffs, the Coupeville High School baseball squad finds itself in a rebuilding year.

The Wolves have just 11 players total, with four freshmen and two 8th graders, while only three guys in the lineup were letter winners a season ago.

So, Tuesday’s season opener, an 18-0 loss to visiting Meridian, a tough 1A foe with a history of excellence, is not completely unsurprising.

The trick for Steve Hilborn’s very raw Wolf team will be to let things go, learn from the loss, and bounce back quickly with a road trip to Port Townsend to play East Jefferson coming up Thursday afternoon.

The tilt with Meridian was supposed to be game #2 on the season, but a weekend road trip to Blaine was washed away by Mother Nature.

The weather on the prairie was fairly tranquil Tuesday, but the visiting Trojans were a rough and tumble bunch.

Meridian outhit Coupeville 10-1 and took advantage of eight Wolf errors to jump out to a big lead and never look back.

Up 6-0 after the top of the first inning, the Trojans methodically tacked on runs in each frame, forcing the mercy rule to be enacted after the bottom of the fifth.

Coupeville’s best offensive output came in the bottom of the first, but the hometown hardball heroes couldn’t keep a brief rally going.

Senior Landon Roberts lashed a leadoff single, but it would be the only base knock for the Wolves on this day.

Walks to Carson Grove (who was hit by a pitch) and Jayden Little filled the bags, but Meridian escaped without surrendering a run.

Coupeville’s offense sputtered through the next three innings, with the Wolves going 1-2-3 in each frame.

Down to their final at-bats, the Wolves put two runners aboard in the bottom of the fifth, with Phin Rhodes reaching on an error and Roberts eking out a walk, but that was where things ended for CHS.

One definite positive for Coupeville came via the strikeout, as four Wolf hurlers combined to record 13 K’s.

Roberts led the way with six, while Grove whiffed three and Camden Glover and Coop Cooper each recorded two.

Meridian’s other two outs came on fly balls to the outfield, as the Trojans didn’t record a single out on a groundball.

Riley Lawless, Trent Thule, Chris Zenz, Leo Rodriguez, and Jesus Madrigal rounded out the Wolf roster, joining Rhodes in making their CHS baseball debuts.

Posted in Baseball | Tagged baseball, CHS Wolves, Coop Cooper, home opener, Meridian | Leave a Comment »

Netters swing away on opening day

March 18, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville netters hit the court. (Starla Seal photo)

Tennis balls are flying once more.

The weather was decent Tuesday, and the Coupeville High School girls’ net squad took advantage, traveling to Port Townsend for the season opener.

After a ferry trip, the Wolves clashed with East Jefferson, which is the mashup between former CHS league rivals Chimacum and Port Townsend.

The visitors swept the varsity singles, with the hosts bouncing back to take the doubles matchups, ultimately pulling out a tense 3-2 non-conference victory.

It was a good start for a Wolf team which has increased numbers from a year ago and will get to host matches this season after work on new courts prevented that from happening last spring.

In fact, Coupeville will play its first match on the courts which now sit next to the CHS gym this Friday, when East Jefferson returns the favor and travels to Cow Town for a rematch.

Tuesday’s results:

Varsity:

1st Singles — Tenley Stuurmans beat Rennie O’Donnell 6-2, 6-1

2nd Singles — Dahlia Lewis beat Juliette O’Hara 6-1, 6-0

1st Doubles — Brynn Parker/Ember Light lost to Lucia Fields/Gracie Witherwidge 6-1, 6-0

2nd Doubles — Kauri Hamilton/Sofia Phay lost to Liuia Lee/Brooke Tomasetti 6-3, 6-2

3rd Doubles — Delanie Lewis/Miles Gerber lost to Olivia Larson/Calliope Mosher 6-1, 6-0

JV:

4th Doubles — Samantha Wallace/Hailey Goldman lost to Zinna Blachley/Ursla Schmidt 7-1

5th Doubles — Rowan Stoner/Chloe Ferguson lost to Sienna V./Risespan 4-3

Posted in Girls Tennis | Tagged CHS Wolves, East Jefferson, girls tennis, season opener, Tenley Stuurmans | Leave a Comment »

Wyman hurdles into action

March 17, 2025 by David Svien

Tate Wyman

He’s off to the races.

Coupeville grad Tate Wyman, now a sophomore at Oregon Tech, kicked off the outdoor track and field season Saturday at the Lane Open in Eugene.

The former Wolf competed in the hurdles for the Hustlin’ Owls, setting college PRs in both the 110-meter race (16.07 seconds) and the 400 (1:02.33).

This is Wyman’s second season at the collegiate level.

During his CHS days, Ayden and Devon’s older brother was a standout cross country and track runner who was part of a 4 x 100 relay team which finished 2nd at the state meet.

Oregon Tech returns to action Mar. 29 with an appearance at the Humboldt Invitational in Arcata, California.

Posted in Track, Wolves in college | Tagged CHS Wolves, hurdles, Oregon Tech, Tate Wyman, track and field | Leave a Comment »

Big numbers, big potential

March 16, 2025 by David Svien

Coupeville seniors lead the way. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Track and field are booming in Cow Town.

Coupeville High School coaches have 70+ athletes on their opening day roster, with an astounding 34 of those coming from the freshman class.

With the Wolves led by a pack of returning state meet veterans, there’s both depth and talent, creating an air of excitement as a new season dawns.

“Track is unique in that we don’t know what each year brings us when it comes to ‘top players’,” said CHS coach Elizabeth Bitting.

“Athletes progress throughout the season and the more years they participate in track the more work and effort they put in which results in improvement.

“Our top returning players would be those who are returning from a previous season. However, with 70+ athletes we don’t know what the season will bring.”

Based on past performance, senior Lyla Stuurmans, who has three state meet medals to her credit, should be a key performer, however.

Toss in Cael Wilson, Carly Burt, Axel Marshall, and Zac Tackett and CHS has five active athletes who know what it’s like to earn a medal at the season-ending state championship meet.

Carson Field, Davin Houston, Liam Blas, Marcelo Gebhard, Marquette Cunningham, Preston Epp, and Thomas Strelow are also noteworthy names.

As are Noelle Western, Katie Marti, Lillian Ketterling, Ayden Wyman, Mikayla Wagner, and Aleksia Jump.

But, as Bitting noted, part of the fun of a track and field campaign is seeing who steps up, who makes their big breakthrough, and who is still standing weeks into competition.

“As always, our goal is to prolong the season as long as we can and to continue seeing improvement and PRs,” Bitting said.

“This is an impressive group. They have already shown us their willingness to follow through and be present.”

As Coupeville battles always-tough Mount Vernon Christian and La Conner for Northwest 2B/1B League domination, roster depth is always important.

“Our strength is in our numbers,” Bitting said. “Each and every athlete is working hard to perform their best.

“Having competition within the team helps them to push themselves and each other.”