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Logan Martin ponders his place in the universe. (Photo courtesy Bob Martin)

He’s busting out.

Coupeville grad Logan Martin closed his first collegiate indoor track and field season Tuesday with a strong showing at the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships in Spokane.

Now, after a short break, the Central Washington University sophomore returns to his natural habitat, competing in the outdoor version of his sport.

Before going outside, where he’s a hammer-flinging heavyweight, Martin competed in the weight throw and shot put at the indoor championships.

The former Wolf ace set a PR in the first of those events Monday, tossing the implement 50 feet, 5.50 inches to claim ninth place out of 14 competitors.

Martin then came back around Tuesday to earn seventh (out of 15 throwers) in the shot put, flinging the ball 44-10.25 for another PR.

Now, he’ll have a little bit of time off — from competition at least, not practice — before beginning the outdoor season Mar. 15-16 at the PLU Open in Tacoma.

His collegiate exploits continue a torrid run for Martin, who capped his high school track career by claiming 2nd place in the state championships in shot put, discus, and hammer.

Oh, and Dalton’s younger brother also played tennis, soccer, and basketball for the Wolves, helping the Coupeville boys’ basketball team to its first league title in 20+ years, and first trip to the state tourney in 34.

Water wizard Finn Price (left) and mat masher Jaje Drake prepare for their send-off to the state championships. (Karissa Swain photos)

Time for a quick flashback.

Coupeville’s Finn Price and Jaje Drake have returned from the state swim and wrestling championships, respectively.

But ace photographer Karissa Swain, who snapped pics at last week’s send-off for the dynamic duo, was out sick for several days.

Now she’s back in the district office and doing all the work that keeps the joint humming and was nice enough to share her photos with us.

Living large in the CHS hallways.

Off to the big dance.

Want to see Cole “Cash Money” White and Co. play at state? Put away that … cash. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Let the fleecing begin.

With the state basketball tourney upon us, the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and its chums are here to strip your wallet dry.

But only your digital wallet.

Plan on heading to Arlington High School this Saturday to watch the Coupeville boys clash with Tonasket in a loser-out game, with the victor heading off to Spokane for the remainder of the 2B tourney?

You’re going to pay more for the pleasure of sitting on old-school gym bleachers, and you’re not going to use cash.

Why? The better to charge you handling fees, my dear.

The only way to snag a ticket is to use GoFan’s digital service, where you’ll pay $13.00 (plus fees), or a sorta-modest $10.00 if you’re military, a student, or a senior citizen.

To do so, pop over here:

https://gofan.co/event/1414313?schoolId=WIAA

Now, to be fair, your ticket applies to all games played at the site Saturday.

So, along with Coupeville and Tonasket at 4:00 PM, you can catch two other boys’ hoops clashes.

3A Arlington plays at 6:00 on its own court, against the winner of a play-in game between Kelso and Marysville-Getchell.

Then, an 8:00(ish) tip features 1B boys Tulalip Heritage and either Mount Vernon Christian or Columbia Adventist.

And yes, you read that correctly.

Arlington, like Lynden and Grandview and a few others, gets to open the state tourney on its OWN court, as the WIAA scrambles to have enough sites to handle all the games.

What is that you say? Coupeville should apply to host a slate of state regional games?

Thus raising the possibility Brad Sherman and Megan Smith, if they get their teams ranked high enough, could play state games a mile from my house?

Or, at the very least, giving CHS a chance to rake in some sweet, sweet postseason cash — with Andreas Wurzrainer and associates also running a food truck in the parking lot??

You know who would LOVE a trip to Whidbey Island to see Cow Town and get a special off-season visit to Kapaw’s Iskreme?

Portland Trailblazer legend and man of the people Brandon Roy and his Garfield boys’ basketball dynasty, that’s who.

Just sayin’.

After coming through a very dark period, Korbin Korzan embraces each new day.

Korbin Korzan is one of the most physically gifted athletes I have written about during my time in Coupeville.

He was a standout high school football and baseball player and a key member of a Central Whidbey Little League hardball squad which won a state title in 2010.

Very outgoing, he always seemed to enjoy being in the spotlight, and shared those moments with family and friends.

But no one ever truly knows what another is going through, and today Korbin has agreed to let me share his story.

He does so in the hope that it will help others reach their own inner peace.

In Korbin’s own words:

 

I originally intended on waiting a decade to share my story.

Some recent events have happened that are pushing me to share it now.

I don’t know if there is anyone out there that can benefit from hearing this, but if it makes a difference for just one person then I will be happy.

So, seven years ago … my life looked a little different.

I just turned 21, had an amazing career at Bank of America, just opened my drone business, and was engaged to the love of my life (Whitney).

Sounds like an awesome life, right?

Looking at pictures (from then) you would probably think I was a pretty happy guy.

Well, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I was severely depressed and mixing a cocktail of drugs and alcohol to try to numb my pain.

It took hitting rock bottom to fully accept that I was not okay.

And friends, it is OKAY to not be okay.

The biggest thing is accepting that and being willing to accept help.

That is so much easier said than done but I know you can do it.

I don’t want to go into details about what happened October 2017, but I do want to discuss what happened AFTER I decided to get help and get clean.

The first few months were riddled with anger and pain.

I dug myself into a massive crater and it was time to start making my way out. As time went on things began to improve.

I focused on bettering myself and surrounding myself with people who showed me love and support.

So, what has happened since October 2017? How much could YOUR life change in seven short years — just like mine did?

Since trying to take my own life, I have:

Married my soulmate.

Korbin and Whitney

Expanded my drone company to a full production company.

Traveled out of state 30+ times and gone on so many amazing adventures.

Made new friends.

Explored areas I didn’t even know existed.

Made over two million dollars.

Tried amazing new foods and played video games I once dreamed of as a child.

Drove awesome cars.

Started fun new hobbies.

Flown in planes, big and small.

Found my silver lining in life.

The list goes on and on. I have experienced so many new and amazing experiences.

I don’t say this to brag … I honestly never thought any of these things would ever happen to me.

So, whether your passion is family, love, adventure, or money, all of that can still be yours.

If my life can change that much, so can yours!

You might feel like you are in a dark place now but I promise you it can and it WILL get better.

Surround yourself with friends and family that love you. Accept that it is okay to not feel okay.

Talk to others and ask for help! I am always here if anyone needs to talk.

Suicide is a very real and scary thing in our world. Reach out to your friends and let them know you are there.

Even if you don’t think they are sad, sometimes the “happiest” people are truly the saddest.

It would be a lie if I said I didn’t still struggle to this day … but it is not as bad anymore and continues to get better every year.

I know the same thing can happen for you!

I promise you things can get better.

You are more than enough, and the world is such a better place with you in it.

Dr. Jim Shank and daughter Ashlie hang out at a game during their Cow Town days. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Popular former Coupeville Superintendent Dr. Jim Shank is one of three finalists for a similar position with the Longview School District.

The district, located in Cowlitz County, sits in the Southwestern portion of Washington state and is infamous for being where I was born.

The Longview School Board announced its finalists this past Saturday and issued a statement pledging to choose a new superintendent Friday, Feb. 23.

A report in the local newspaper, The Daily News, details that Shank, Dr. Karen Cloninger, and John Hannah will participate in community forums Tuesday-Thursday at R.A. Long High School.

Cloninger is the assistant superintendent of East Valley School District in Spokane Valley, while Hannah is superintendent of the Morton School District.

Shank, who recently received a long-overdue induction into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, is an R.A. Long graduate, a distinction he shares with Hannah.

During his time in Cow Town between 2013-2018, Shank oversaw construction of Coupeville’s stadium, its track oval, and new bleachers in the CHS gym.

He also played a large role in the creation of the school’s Wall of Fame, basically allowing me to run free if I agreed to retain the giant mural of “The Sad Coyote.”

“The Sad Coyote” sees all and knows all. He is eternal.

Two of the six Shank children, Matt and Brian, graduated from CHS, with a third, Ashlie, attending multiple years.

All three were successful athletes and strong students.

After leaving Coupeville, Shank was a superintendent in Idaho.

He and wife Sallie later returned to Washington state, as he currently leads the North Beach School District in Grays Harbor County.

Overall, Shank has 33 years of experience in education, with 15 as a superintendent.