Coupeville Sports

Law enforcement legend bows out

January 21, 2025 by David Svien

Darren Crownover, American Badass, closes out his law enforcement career with a dramatic animal rescue. (Photo property Island County Sheriff’s Department)

Out of the patrol car and on the school bus.

Capping a stellar career in law enforcement, Darren Crownover made his final “out of service” call Monday.

A Lieutenant with the Island County Sheriff’s Department, he and wife Kelly (a longtime 9-1-1 operator) had a huge positive impact on Whidbey Island and its occupants over the years.

They also were my traveling companions during daughter Veronica’s senior season of softball at Coupeville High School — a year that ended with a run to the state tourney.

Now, with Darren following Kelly into “retirement,” the couple are off to Texas, where Darren will be driving a school bus while (possibly) humming “bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do when they come for you?”

I wish all the best to the entire Crownover family (which also includes son Nickolas) and not just because they bought me my weight in M & M’s.

Though that certainly didn’t hurt!!

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged CHS Wolves, Darren Crownover, Island County Sheriff, retirement, Softball | 2 Comments »

Spiker ace captures coach’s big day

January 21, 2025 by David Svien

Valen (Trujillo) Printz joins Coupeville volleyball coaches Cory Whitmore (left) and Cris Matochi on their wedding day.

“The day was so special.”

When Coupeville volleyball gurus Cory Whitmore and Cris Matochi eloped last summer, the intimate affair included one of their former players.

Valen (Trujillo) Printz, who starred on the court for the Wolves from her libero position, is now dazzling folks as a photographer, and she and husband Hunter joined the Wolf coaches for their romantic getaway.

“The location was amazing, the weather was incredible, we were surrounded by our closest family and friends doing exactly what we enjoy doing,” Whitmore said.

“But it was made that much more special to have Valen there as a part of our big day!”

From chasing down wayward volleyballs to documenting her coach’s wedding day, the former Wolf ace has been indispensable.

“Valen and Hunter are so wildly talented and a blast to be around,” Whitmore said.

“I really love being able to say that we had our wedding photos taken by a former player of mine!

“She not only captured the moment in photographs but I’m telling you, she captured the feeling of being there.

“I am so very proud of her, finding a passion to make into a career, and she is damn good at what she does.”

To see more of Valen’s work, pop over to:

https://valenleephoto.com/

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged CHS Wolves, Cory Whitmore, Cris Matochi, elopement, marriage, Valen Trujillo, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

LeVine remains a mat monster

January 20, 2025 by David Svien

Mighty mat masher Izzy LeVine (second from left) shows off her latest medal. (Photo courtesy Sean LeVine)

She’s always on the prowl, looking for more victories.

Izzy LeVine, who grew up in Cow Town alongside older sisters (and Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Famers) Micky and Jae, continues to dominate in the high stakes wrestling world.

Now a junior at Casteel High School in Arizona, Izzy claimed another title this past weekend, going a pristine 5-0 at the 60th annual Doc Wright Invitational in Winslow.

The youngest of Sean and Joline’s three superstar daughters collected two pins and two wins by technical fall en route to the final.

Once there, Izzy closed things out with a solid 9-4 victory to claim the crown.

Casteel, which placed three grapplers on the podium, finished 8th out of 35 teams, with wrestlers from four states participating in the tourney.

Posted in Wrestling | Tagged Casteel High School, Doc Wright Invitational, Izzy LeVine, technical fall, wrestling | Leave a Comment »

Some near, some far

January 19, 2025 by David Svien

Defensive dynamos Teagan Calkins (left) and Lyla Stuurmans get physical. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A little home cooking, a little far-flung adventure.

Coupeville High School basketball teams have a split schedule in the week ahead, starting at home and finishing on the road.

The Wolves host Concrete Tuesday, with both varsity teams and the girls’ JV suiting up, while the second boys’ squad has the night off.

Then, come Friday, all four CHS squads hit the road for a trip to Orcas Island.

With the regular season entering the stretch run, wins and losses are at a premium for everyone, but especially for varsity teams fighting for playoff positioning.

Where things sit through Jan. 19:

Northwest League boys’ basketball:

School	League	Overall
MV Christian	5-0	7-6
La Conner	4-1	7-8
Coupeville	3-2	4-10
Friday Harbor	2-3	2-11
Concrete	1-3	5-9
Darrington	1-4	6-8
Orcas Island	1-4	3-11

Northwest League girls’ basketball:

School	League	Overall
MV Christian	5-0	11-2
Concrete	3-1	11-3
La Conner	3-1	6-8
Coupeville	3-2	6-7
Friday Harbor	1-3	2-11
Orcas Island	1-4	8-8
Darrington	0-5	4-8

Posted in Basketball, standings | Tagged Basketball, CHS Wolves, Darrington, Northwest League, standings | Leave a Comment »

Loud ‘n proud, every step of the way

January 18, 2025 by David Svien

Kassidy Upchurch (left) and Bella Karr brought their A-game to every competition. (Photos by Bailey Thule and Brittany Kolbet)

The season was a success.

While a return trip to state evaded the Coupeville High School competition cheer squad this season, the Wolves left it all on the mat.

An appearance at the Last Chance Qualifier in Yelm Saturday brought an end to the run for CHS, but coach Jennifer Morrell exited with head held high.

“We did not qualify for state this year, but we learned a lot,” she said.

“They are already planning next year’s routine.”

Coupeville, a small school competing against much larger institutions, beat the other 2B team in its category both of the last two weeks.

Saturday that was Chief Leschi, while last week it was Forks.

The Wolves also had wins over bigger schools this year, including knocking off 2A Kingston in December.