Coupeville Sports

Jump launches college track career

December 2, 2023 by David Svien

Taygin Jump monitors a Coupeville Middle School track meet last spring. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It begins.

Coupeville grad Taygin Jump made her college track and field debut Saturday in New York and claimed a top 10 finish in one of her events.

The former Wolf, now a freshman at Plattsburgh State, was competing in the SLU Saints Holiday Relays in Canton.

Competing in the weight throw (indoor track’s answer to the hammer throw), Jump launched the implement roughly 35 feet, six inches (converted from meters), finishing 10th out of 21 competitors.

She also threw the shot put 23-04.75.

Plattsburgh returns to action Dec. 8-9 with an appearance at the Utica Holiday Classic.

During her time at Coupeville High School, Jump was a member of two varsity teams, playing volleyball and participating in track and field.

As a spiker, she earned a spot on both club and school teams, and was a fireball, one of her teammate’s biggest supporters.

When spring rolled around, Jump threw the discus, javelin, and hammer, as well as running the 100, 200, 800, 1600, and 4 x 100 relay.

She competed in the state championships in hammer, setting a PR in the event.

Posted in Track | Tagged college debut, shot put, SUNY Plattsburgh, Taygin Jump, track and field | Leave a Comment »

Seize the day, spike the world

December 2, 2023 by David Svien

Unleash the spiker within.

The Central Whidbey Volleyball Club is hosting an open gym this coming Tuesday, Dec. 5 to give girls ages 10-14 an idea of what they can expect if they play.

Parents are also invited to bring laptops with them if they would like help with getting their daughters registered.

Additional waivers for participation will also be available.

For any questions, reach out to the club at centralwhidbeyvc@gmail.com.

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged Central Whidbey Volleyball Club, Cory Whitmore, open gym, registration, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

They can’t stop her!

December 2, 2023 by David Svien

“Hey, you’re like the best player in the league, Makana Stone! THE BEST!!” (Photo property Erik Berglund)

She’s halfway through a great weekend of professional hoops action.

Coupeville grad Makana Stone kept the stat keepers hoppin’ Saturday in Norway, powering Ammerud to an 85-63 dismantling of Bergen.

The former Wolf collected 30 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and seven steals.

Coming on the heels of a 32-point performance against Asker in her last game, it gives Stone back-to-back games with 30+ points.

Ammerud, now 3-4 on the season, returns to action Sunday when it clashes with league leader Ulriken (5-1).

Stone and Co. seized control of Saturday’s game early and never let their foes back in the game.

Up 24-12 at the first break, Ammerud pushed the margin out to 51-30 at the half, then coasted into the fourth quarter up 75-45.

The Queens put four players into double digit scoring, with Julia Heiden singing the nets for 22 in support of the team’s American assassin.

With her sizzlin’ play Saturday, Stone continues a torrid campaign in the Kvinneligaen.

Now in her third season of pro ball, Andre’s sister has piled up 157 points, 81 rebounds, 27 assists, 25 steals, six blocks, and a million “Don’t hurt ’em, Kana!!! Oh, too late…”

Posted in Basketball | Tagged Ammerud, Basketball, CHS Wolves, Kvinneligaen, Makana Stone, Norway | Leave a Comment »

No refs, no Island rivalry rumble

December 1, 2023 by David Svien

Johnathan Jacobsen stops and pops. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

You won’t be able to complain about the refs this coming Monday.

That’s because there won’t be any available to call Coupeville’s middle school boys’ basketball showdown with archrival South Whidbey.

The games would have gone down in Langley.

The school’s athletic directors are discussing rescheduling, but with the end of the season barreling down, it may not be a possibility.

“It’s a bit tight, so who knows,” said Coupeville AD (and Wazzu super fan) Willie Smith as he rooted for U-Dub football to get pounded by Oregon in the Pac-12 title game.

Coupeville and South Whidbey are still slated to play in Cow Town Dec. 11, unless more refs go missing.

After that, the Wolves travel to Lakewood Dec. 13 for the season finale — barring any reshuffling of the schedule.

Jayden Little curls a pass around his defender.

Posted in Boys Basketball, Middle School | Tagged CMS Wolves, Island rivalry, missing refs, South Whidbey, Willie Smith | Leave a Comment »

Come home, to the gym of your youth

December 1, 2023 by David Svien

Lindsey Roberts (left) and Hailey Hammer fight for a rebound during an alumni game. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The invitation is there.

Every person who has played, coached, kept stats for, or cheered for Coupeville High School girls’ basketball is invited back for the 50th anniversary of the program.

The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 16 in the CHS gym, with South Whidbey the opponent.

The Wolf varsity boys tip off at 5:15, with the girls at 7:00. The festivities happen at halftime of the girls’ game.

We’ll be honoring the 1999-2000 Coupeville squad, the first to win a game at state — in any sport — as well as the top 15 scorers all time.

But it’s more than that.

The reason we want as many people as possible to cram the gym that night is because the entire program, and the very concept of girls getting a chance to play God’s Chosen Sport, is at the heart of the event.

The Wolf girls started 57(!) years after the CHS boys first dropped a basketball through the net in 1917, and yet have put up more banners and league titles.

Even once female athletes were finally given the same opportunity afforded their male counterparts, they spent several years being forced to trek to Camp Casey for practice.

But those early athletes endured, and they are a shining light to the generations which have come after them.

Wolves (l to r) Julia “Elbows” Myers, Monica Vidoni, Madeline Strasburg, and Amanda Fabrizi prepare to inflict pain on a hapless rival.

When Madison McMillan drops a jumper in the paint, she carries on the tradition started by Marie Grasser.

When Katie Marti slices ‘n dices the defense, she is the heir to Novi Barron and Ashley Ellsworth-Bagby.

When the little girls in the crowd, the ones pulling on a jersey for the first time in youth league play, look out onto the court, they will see the current stars in action, but they will see more.

They will see young women, now adults, who fought against stupidity, who asked for nothing more than a chance, and then went out and made magic.

They will see legendary former Wolf coach Phyllis Textor, back in the gym where she once prowled the sideline, and they will (hopefully) see Ann Pettit, Ashley Manker, Emily Vracin, Skyler Lawrence, and many, many more.

Every single one of you is part of something bigger than yourself.

Be proud. Come home to your gym and celebrate everything you have accomplished.