Coupeville Sports

New Wolf cheerleader dances into the spotlight!!

June 19, 2016 by David Svien

Alyssa Pigott (Submitted photo)

“I love to dance, and this is the closest thing.”

As she prepares for her junior year at Coupeville High School, Alyssa Pigott is also deep into preparation for her debut as a Wolf cheerleader.

She and her new teammates are conducting spring practices right now, with summer cheer camp still ahead as the countdown continues until the first football game Sept. 2.

Pigott’s love of dance, and the example of her cousin (“She would always show me cheers and I got into it and started liking it”) drew her to the sport.

And, regardless of whether CHS classifies it as a sport (it’s officially viewed as an activity), Pigott has seen first-hand how much blood, sweat and tears go into cheer.

“Cheer can also be a sport,” she said. “Because you work a lot and have to hold girls up using your strength.”

Pigott, who also played basketball when she was younger, has been in choir for nine years and is hopelessly devoted to the movie “Grease.”

A fan of hip hop, she likes to spend time with friends and family, hailing her mom, dad and little brother as having had a big impact on her life.

As she gets ready for her first Friday night under the lights on the sideline, Pigott is embracing the chance to let loose a bit.

“What I like about cheer is the spirit, how you can get the crowd pumped and represent your school, and the friends you make if you’re shy.”

Posted in Cheer | Tagged Alyssa Pigott, Cheer, CHS Wolves, Grease, hip hop | Leave a Comment »

I’ll throw it, but you can’t hit it!!

June 18, 2016 by David Svien

Daniel Olson, seen here last spring, has been on point for the Oak Harbor Babe Ruth baseball squad. (John Fisken photo)

The Gunslinger rules the land.

Daniel Olson (my former “manager” at David’s DVD Den) is one of several Coupeville athletes traveling up-Island this spring to play with Oak Harbor’s Babe Ruth baseball squad.

Ulrik Wells and Gavin Knoblich, who will be freshmen at CHS in the fall, are also on the team, while Olson, bound for 8th grade at CMS, is dazzling on the mound.

Firing BB’s from the hill, Olson torched Mount Vernon in his most recent game, tossing a three-hitter in a 15-3 romp.

He whiffed six, including taking down the side in order on just 13 pitches in the second inning.

Knoblich made a running shoestring catch in the same game, stranding two runners, as Oak Harbor avenged a one-run loss against the same squad two days earlier.

Oak Harbor is wrapping up its regular season and then heads off to the postseason, where a state champ will be crowned July 13 in Ephrata.

Posted in Baseball | Tagged Babe Ruth baseball, baseball, Daniel Olson, Ephrata, Gavin Knoblich, Ulrik Wells | Leave a Comment »

Moody eager to learn, eager to soar!!

June 18, 2016 by David Svien

Cassidy Moody works on the hurdles during a CMS practice this spring. (John Fisken photo)

Cassidy Moody is like a sponge.

The three-sport athlete, who will enter Coupeville High School as a freshman in the fall, is always eager to pick up new advice on how she can fine-tune her game.

That, and her ability to work with her teammates, are particular strengths for a young woman who plans to play soccer and basketball and compete in track and field as a Wolf.

“I’m not afraid to ask for help,” Moody said. “I get along with most everyone.

“I like playing with other people as a team and having fun with everyone while we all get better.”

While she enjoys all of her sports (Moody played volleyball in middle school, since CMS doesn’t have a soccer program), she singles track out as being closest to her heart.

“My favorite is track because it’s like an individual sport where you compete by yourself,” she said. “Also because I love doing the high jump.”

As she moves up a rung in the prep sports world, Moody wants to focus on … focusing.

“I need to work on trying harder at practice and paying attention,” she said. “As an athlete I need to work on paying attention more, and during school I would like to improve my grades and listening.”

When she’s not competing, Moody enjoys sketching, playing the ukulele and singing.

She hails “Ice Age” as her favorite film, “Caraphernelia” by Pierce the Veil as her go-to song, and loves henna art, hanging out with friends and sleeping.

It’s those friends who have helped shape Moody’s life, and continue to do so.

“My friends have pushed me to become a better athlete, being the only major athlete in my family,” she said. “And my closest friends have a huge impact of who I became and who I’m becoming.”

Posted in Girls Basketball, Girls Soccer, Track | Tagged Basketball, Cassidy Moody, CHS Wolves, henna art, Ice Age, Pierce the Veil | Leave a Comment »

Famous name, impressive game!!

June 18, 2016 by David Svien

Zoe Trujillo, demonstrating flawless technique on the volleyball court. (John Fisken photo)

Trujillo embraces relay mate Avalon Renninger after a successful run this spring. (Pat Kelley photo)

There’s a new Trujillo in town and she hasn’t made anyone cry.

Yet…

When Zoe Trujillo enters Coupeville High School as a freshman in the fall, she’ll join older sister Valen, a ferocious competitor most famous for making King’s players run out of the gym wailing during middle school basketball.

Now, let’s be honest here.

Valen, off the court, is extraordinarily sweet and generous, traits Zoe also readily exhibits.

But her on-court drive has carried big sis to a school career record for volleyball digs, as well as the #1 singles slot on the the Wolf tennis squad.

And now little sis is arriving to pick up the mantle, with plans to join Valen in both sports.

While Zoe is looking forward to tennis, it’s volleyball which captures her heart.

“Definitely volleyball – I’ve played it longer and I love the team and the competitiveness,” Trujillo said. “I’d like to continue to improve my skills and hopefully play varsity this upcoming year.”

She credits Valen for being a big part of her support staff, as well as the coaches who have helped to fine-tune her game.

“My sister has helped me a lot,” Trujillo said. “Also, my club volleyball coach, Katelyn Turner, taught me a lot during last season with Whidbey Fury.”

Away from the court, Zoe enjoys playing classical piano and “challenging myself to learn new songs and techniques.”

She also found a new niche in school.

“I loved my wood shop class this year!”

Whether working as an athlete or in her day-to-day life, the busy, talented teen always tries to put forth her best effort.

“I like getting better at my sport and competing with myself,” Trujillo said.

“I think my strengths are that I’m willing to work for my goals and I’m coachable,” she added. “I’d like to work on getting stronger physically and on being more a competitive player.”

Just like her big sister.

Posted in Girls Tennis, Volleyball | Tagged CHS Wolves, classical piano, tennis, Valen Trujillo, volleyball, Zoe Trujillo | Leave a Comment »

Battaglia a busy bee!!

June 18, 2016 by David Svien

Ashleigh Battaglia sticks the landing during her 8th grade track season. (Pat Kelley photo)

Refusing to let the play die, Battaglia gives maximum effort while trying to chase down a wayward volleyball. (John Fisken photo)

Ashleigh Battaglia is going to be busy.

When she hits the ground running as a Coupeville High School freshman in the fall, she’ll be kicking off a year in which she plans to be involved with sports every season.

Battaglia will be a member of the fall CHS cheer team, hopes to continue with the squad through basketball season, then head outside in the spring to join older brother Chris on the Wolf track and field team.

Toss in school work and she’ll have plenty of things to juggle, something of which she’s well aware.

“My goals as a freshman this year are to be able to get through this year not having to worry about last minute assignments and spending time with my family so I can easily enjoy my hobbies outside of school,” Battaglia said.

While she’ll be busy, the chance to interact with her teammates more than makes up for it.

“I love being on a team,” Battaglia said. It makes me feel like I have another family outside of home with the people I can trust if I ever need anything.”

Eternally positive, she looks for the bright side of things, but knows she can look to her veteran teammates if she hits any low moments.

“Every time I fail, I try to get back up again and keep going,” Battaglia said. “I want to improve.

“I would like to work on my confidence,” she added. “Like in cheer, I have girls who I know will help me if I struggle or need help.”

Battaglia was a three-sport athlete at CMS (volleyball, basketball, track) and looks forward to following in the footsteps of her brother, who went to state in the high jump as a freshman this spring.

“Track, I like it because I get to try new things and I compete mostly with myself to try to improve as much as possible,” she said. “My brother has always had helpful advice on anything track-related.”

Battaglia, who enjoys sketching, singing and hanging out with friends and her little sister (“she’s coming to middle school ready to show off her enthusiasm for sports and anything fun”), draws big support from her entire family.

“My dad, Brian Rogers, has had a huge impact on my athletic experiences, he’s always had encouraging things to say,” she said.

“My mother, Amanda Rogers, has always taught me to stand tall and try my best in everything,” Battaglia added. “So I can always look back and be proud of what I accomplished.”

Posted in Cheer, Track | Tagged Ashleigh Battaglia, Cheer, CHS Wolves, sketching, Track | Leave a Comment »

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