Coupeville Sports

Countdown to kickoff!!

September 2, 2016 by David Svien

Wolf QB Hunter Downes works on his timing in practice, as CHS Offensive Coordinator Brad Sherman observes. (John Fisken photo)

The temporary home stands for 2016. Maybe think about bringing a lawn chair. (Scott Losey photo)

Let the pads do the talking.

All the hype, all the side chatter, fades away Saturday night when Coupeville and South Whidbey step on the field to kick off the 2016 high school football season.

It’s opening night, it’s the ultimate Island rivalry game and it’s Cow Town vs. Hippieville, with a trophy, bragging rights and a flawless 1-0 record at stake.

Everything you need to know:

WHEN:

Sat., Sept. 3 at Mickey Clark Field in Coupeville (7 PM kickoff).

AT STAKE:

The winner takes possession of The Bucket for a year.

The trophy, which features a Wolf logo and colors on one side and a Falcon on the other, came into being in 2008 and was the brainchild of CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith, who explains its origins:

Ha ha … well, during a volleyball game at home against SW, one of our senior boys didn’t appreciate the cheering going on by the SW crowd.

So, this young man decided, erroneously and very immaturely, to take matters into his own hands.

He procured a licorice bucket, filled it with water, and proceeded to dump it on the SW crowd, who then chased him out of the gym and very nearly got into a brawl.

Said CHS student was suspended and it almost got really ugly between the two schools.

So, John Patton (former SW AD) and myself decided to turn this negative event into a positive and came up with the idea to make the football game the “Bucket Game” and whomever won that game would keep the bucket for the year.

Thus, the annual Bucket Game began.

The two schools have split the past four years, with Tony Maggio coaching Coupeville to wins in 2012 (18-13 in Langley) and 2014 (35-28 at home.)

South Whidbey scored three fourth-quarter TD’s last year to win 27-14 on its home turf in coach Michael Coe’s first game.

First-year Coupeville coach Jon Atkins makes his debut Saturday, with hopes of making his own splash.

COST:

Adults & students without ASB cards: $6
Students with ASB cards, K-5 students: $4
Seniors (62 +): $4
Family Rate (two adults & two K-5 students): $18

THE TRACK:

Thanks to a levy and a lot of hard work, CHS boasts a pristine new track oval around its football field, and Saturday presents the first opportunity for many to see it up close.

Marinate in the moment, but don’t drag your clodhoppers across the track, OK?

Operate with strip club rules: Look, but don’t touch, or else you may get to meet the bouncers.

SEATING:

The home stands were ripped out prior to the work on the track and the school is going with temporary accommodations for one year.

There will be stands, and they’re still on the same side as usual, but they won’t seat as many as before. Fans are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and camp out on the grass.

In 2017 new permanent stands (rumored to be covered ones) will rise up on the other side of the field, in front of the apartments, and home fans will switch sides and be closer to the parking lot.

When that happens, concessions will also be moved and new bathrooms will be available.

What is currently the home side will become the road side, but I repeat to everyone who is getting confused, THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN UNTIL 2017.

And, with that, nothing else is left to say except … let’s get ready to ruuuummmmmbbbblllleeeee!!!

Posted in Football | Tagged CHS Wolves, football, opening night, rivalry game, SWHS Falcons, The Bucket | Leave a Comment »

“I’m here for the girls!!”

September 2, 2016 by David Svien

OHHS grad Samantha Shulock has been hired as an assistant girls soccer coach at Coupeville High School. (John Fisken photo)

Coupeville High School’s newest soccer coach vividly remembers what it was like to be a player.

“I still have the players perspective fresh in my mind and can make that connection between coach and player,” said Samantha Shulock.

The 2008 Oak Harbor grad, who went on to play college ball after high school, has joined Troy Cowan’s staff as an assistant this year.

She replaces Nicholas Dziminowicz, who departed after a year in the position to focus full-time on his work with premier teams through Northwest United.

Shulock, who made her Wolf debut Thursday during a four-team jamboree on her old field at Oak Harbor’s Wildcat Memorial Stadium, played for 15 years.

After hanging up the purple and gold at OHHS, she went on to play two years at Skagit Valley College, then wrapped her career with a stint on the women’s club soccer team at Washington State University.

Back on Whidbey, she couldn’t resist the siren call of the pitch.

“I recently moved to Coupeville and saw this as the best opportunity to stay involved in soccer,” Shulock said. “Overall I’m here for the girls.

“My goal is they feel like they played the best season they could have and continue to learn about the game.”

She’ll work with the players on both sides of the ball, though says “defense has always been my comfort zone.”

One lesson she’ll try and pass on is how important it is for each Wolf to rely on the player next to them.

“This is a team sport; support is key,” Shulock said. “Any game is meant to be fun and if you want to take it to the next level you need to make sure it makes you happy every time you step onto the field with your teammates.”

As the Wolves prep for their regular-season opener (Sept. 8 at home vs. South Whidbey), their newest coach is counting down the days.

“I’m excited to be a part of it,” Shulock said. “I see myself in a lot of the girls and hope I’m a positive influence on each one.

“I’m coming in completely from the outside with no ties to this community,” she added. “My best wishes are always with the girls and their families and that every soccer experience is a positive one.”

Posted in Girls Soccer | Tagged CHS Wolves, OHHS Wildcats, Samantha Shulock, Skagit Valley College, Soccer, Wazzu | Leave a Comment »

New season, new goals!!

September 2, 2016 by David Svien

Frosh Mallory Kortuem becomes the latest in a long line of Wolf athletic stars to spring from her family. (John Fisken photos)

Mia Littlejohn hits second gear and shreds the turf.

Anna Dion shadows an Oak Harbor player during the night’s second game.

Wolf volleyball players (l to r) Payton Aparicio, Lauren Rose and Ally Roberts enjoy their night outside the gym.

No soccer balls allowed! CHS goalie Ema Smith keeps her net neat and tidy.

Sage Renninger (back) moves in to steal the ball away from a hands-on Falcon.

With a number of players still needing to get their practices in, Thursday’s jamboree featured a partial Wolf team.

Mckenzie Meyer finds ways to amuse herself while hanging out in the bleachers.

Fall sports is on the stage.

The start of school is still several days away, but Coupeville High School cracked the seal on the 2016-2017 sports year Thursday, sending its girls’ soccer squad to Oak Harbor for a four-team jamboree.

While there the Wolves beat 1A rival South Whidbey 1-0 and fell 3-0 to their 3A Wildcat hosts. Lake Stevens rounded out the quartet.

Poppin’ over from his Oak Harbor abode, wanderin’ paparazzi John Fisken snapped the pics seen above.

To view more of his work (a percentage of each purchase helps fund college scholarships for CHS student/athletes) pop over to:

http://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/GS-20160901-Coupeville-vs-Sout/

To also see Oak Harbor, Lake Stevens and South Whidbey in action, try:

http://www.cascadeathletics.com/index.php?act=view_gallery&gallery=11766&league=2&page_name=photo_store&pid=0.3.17.0.206&school=17&sport=0

Posted in Girls Soccer | Tagged CHS Wolves, jamboree, John Fisken photos, Mia Littlejohn, Soccer | Leave a Comment »

An absolute joy!!

September 2, 2016 by David Svien

Coupeville running legend Abby Parker (left) imparts wisdom to her young prodigy. (Kathy O'Brien photo)

Coupeville running Jedi Abby Parker (left) teaches her moves to her young padawan. (Kathy O’Brien photo)

Parker, who runs faster when her shoelaces are untied, works on hand-offs with CHS relay mate Mckenzie Meyer. (John Fisken photos)

Imparting joy to the universe (and volleyball teammate Kayla Rose).

Joy, above all.

Abby Parker is the real deal — a smart, strong young woman already super successful at 17, and headed to unimaginable achievements.

But the first thing you notice about the Coupeville High School junior, before you see her determination, her commitment, her grit, her spine of steel, is how she interacts with others.

With her teammates, her friends, her family or with random people she passes while she’s busy doing the million-and-a-half things she seems to accomplish every day.

And what you see, every time, is the joy she brings to this world, and others in it.

It’s not just mere happiness, though she pretty much always seems happy, but something far deeper.

Abby seems to approach every challenge, every obstacle, with a can-do attitude, and the joy she exhibits is truly infectious.

Running, which seems to have become her sport of choice (she’s also skilled in volleyball, basketball and probably any activity you might pick), is not for the faint of heart.

It can rip your body up, tear away at your legs, your muscles, your psyche.

It can deliver huge highs and huge lows, and it takes a special kind of person to embrace it the way Parker does.

Look at the photos of her in action during track season or at one of the many real-world running events she haunts on a regular basis, and you’ll see both sides.

I’ve seen photos of Abby leaving her soul on the oval, trying to trim one more second, lean just a bit harder, reach for a PR at any cost.

In those photos, her face shows the strain, but also (and this is bigger) her willpower. She does not back down, ever.

In other photos, you see the joy she gets from competing, whether she’s flying down a track or splashing through bubbles or clouds of paint.

And we’re right back to joy, which is never far away when Parker is nearby.

As she celebrates her birthday today and prepares to head into another school year, let’s wish her all the best.

Because that’s what she is — one of the best.

Abby, you are a sparkling ray of sunshine, and Coupeville would not be the same without you.

Happy birthday, Miss Parker, and may you always get back just as much joy as you give to the world.

Posted in Happy birthday, Track | Tagged Abby Parker, CHS Wolves, Happy birthday, Track, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

Back with a vengeance!!

September 1, 2016 by David Svien

Sophomore Ema Smith made her debut in goal Thursday and was highly-praised by her coach afterwards. (John Fisken photos)

Sisters Mia (left) and Kalia Littlejohn bond before kickin’ fanny and taking names on the pitch.

They kicked things off with a bang.

Ushering in the 2016-2017 prep sports year, the Coupeville High School girls’ soccer team went into jamboree play Thursday with a thin roster, yet emerged happy with the results.

Despite only having 11 eligible players (four of them freshmen) as everyone scrambles to get enough practices in, the Wolves beat arch-rival South Whidbey and held their own for much of the game with host Oak Harbor.

Sparring with the Falcons, who they will meet in the regular season opener (Sept. 8 in Coupeville), the CHS booters pulled off a dazzling goal en route to a 1-0 win.

Junior captain Sage Renninger crushed the ball which deflated the heart of South Whidbey’s defense, but the play was first set-up by a wild back-and-forth passing effort.

Lindsey Roberts dropped a dead-eye pass to Kalia Littlejohn, who worked a give-and-go with freshman Avalon Renninger.

With the ball back on her foot, Littlejohn, “who impressed the whole crowd with some unbelievable ball skills that would have made David Copperfield blush!!” according to coach Troy Cowan, set up Renninger.

“Sage drove a ball that never hit the ground into the back of the net like a Scud missile!!!,” wailed the happily-hyperventilating coach.

Facing off with Oak Harbor, a much-bigger 3A squad, the scrappy 1A Wolves mixed their lineup around and got valuable pitch time for their younger players.

While Coupeville fell 3-0, it showed off “an awesome display of perseverance and never die soccer.”

Cowan hailed the play of veteran Mia Littlejohn, who “consistently made runs and initiated our counterattacks” and fleet-footed frosh Mallory Kortuem, who sizzled in her high school debut.

Capping the night was the performance of sophomore Ema Smith in goal.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t say our jamboree MVP would be Ema,” Cowan said. “This courageous young lady donned the goalie jersey for the very first time in her young career and with really one day to practice!!!

“Well done Ema, you did a terrific job!”

Posted in Girls Soccer | Tagged CHS Wolves, David Copperfield, jamboree, John Fisken photos, Sage Renninger, Scud missile, Soccer | Leave a Comment »

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