Coupeville Sports

How many photos do you have?!?

November 16, 2023 by David Svien

Soccer ace Andrew Williams gets things into focus. (Jackie Saia photo)

Not quite a tsunami, but much more than a trickle.

Thanks to the hard-working, and talented, paparazzi out there, I built a nice treasure trove of photos during the fall sports season.

Now, as banquet season rages, and basketball practice hits full speed, I’m working my way through the backlog.

Today’s collection, shot by Jackie Saia and John Fisken, is probably the final photo essay we’ll have featuring fall sports.

But never say never.

Kickin’ butt and takin’ names at the state tourney. (Jackie Saia photo)

Issabel Johnson (left) and Aby Wood are full of spirit. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Carly Burt (left) and Lexis Drake class up the joint. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Ayden Wyman runs into battle. (Jackie Saia photo)

Wolf spikers (l to r) Mia Farris, Issabel Johnson, Madison McMillan, and Taylor Brotemarkle catch a snack between sets. (Photo by JohnPhotos.net)

CHS volleyball guru Cory Whitmore whips his team into a frenzy. (Jackie Saia photo)

“You ain’t never seen dancing until you’ve seen The Show Pony shake his tail feather!” (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Posted in Photos | Tagged CHS Wolves, fall sports, Jackie Saia, John Fisken photos, Taylor Brotemarkle | Leave a Comment »

A grin for the win

November 15, 2023 by David Svien

Aby Wood enjoys her time in the land of spikes and sets. (Jackie Saia photo)

Smiles all around.

As we continue to work our way through the backlog of fall sports pics, today’s collection, shot by Jackie Saia and John Fisken, captures a mix of grins, big and small.

Am I reaching a bit?

Maybe, but better this than a medley of frowns.

Andrew Williams and Bailey Thule. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Carly Burt (left) and Capri Anter. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Geoff Kappes (and son), plus Barbi Ford. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Taylor Brotemarkle (left) and Lyla Stuurmans. (Jackie Saia photo)

Skylar Parker (left), Grey Peabody (center), and Issabel Johnson. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Paul and Marilyn Messner. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Grant Van Dyke and Michelle Armstrong. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Posted in Fashionable Fans | Tagged Bailey Thule, CHS Wolves, fall sports, Lyla Stuurmans, smiles | Leave a Comment »

Put that baby’s spell on me

November 15, 2023 by David Svien

David Bowie sang about them, and I get major page hits whenever I feature them.

Babies, they make the world go round.

As someone who has worked in a respite care center and driven three nephews batty, there are times where I think about leaving the whole writing thing behind and transitioning to an infant-centric work environment.

Somewhere out there is a place which wants to pay me to hold babies while they (and probably me) take a nap.

Certainly would reduce the number of angst-riddled phone calls I get…

Anyway, until then, take a gander at the photo above and do with the information as you will.

Or take four minutes to appreciate a world where Mr. Bowie serenades his babe.

Posted in Babies | Tagged babies, David Bowie, Labyrinth, open house, WhidbeyHealth | Leave a Comment »

Young Wolves tip-off new season

November 15, 2023 by David Svien

Coupeville Middle School basketball players watch action unfold on the court in Sultan Tuesday afternoon. (RayLynn Ratcliff photos)

The seal has been cracked on the net.

Coupeville Middle School boys’ basketball teams became the first local hoops players to see action Tuesday, surviving a trip to the wilds of Sultan.

While the Wolves lost all three tilts against the always-tough Turks, valuable lessons were learned, and the season’s first points were recorded.

Overall, 11 different Coupeville hoops stars wrote their name in the scoring column during the road trip.

Now, it’s back to the bus Thursday for a trip to King’s, before CMS returns to Cow Town to kick off a three-game home-stand beginning with a Nov. 21 rumble against Granite Falls.

How opening day played out:

Level 1:

Coupeville poured in the three-balls but was edged by one of the most-consistent middle school programs in the region in a back-and-forth affair.

Chayse Van Velkinburgh paced the Wolves with a team-high 11 points, connecting on a trio of treys, while Carson Grove netted a shot from behind the arc as part of his six points.

Nick Laska provided a potent third option, pouring in eight points, with Kamden Ratcliff capping the scoring with a bucket.

Liam Lawson, Nathan Niewald, Calvin Kappes, Khanor Jump, and Trenton Thule rounded out the roster.

Level 2:

Kappes, just a 6th grader, led the Wolves with six points, with Diesel Eck and Jump chipping in with two points apiece.

Jonah Weyl, Maverick Walling, Aiden Wheat, Thule, River Simpson, and Lincoln Wagner also suited up for Coupeville.

Level 3:

6th grader Xander Beaman had the hot hand, banking in a team-best eight points, while CMS also got scoring from four others.

Johnathan Jacobsen netted four, with Eck and Walling both popping for a bucket.

Wagner, Jacob Lujan, Weyl, and Wheat were also on call for the Wolves.

It’s the ferry life for them.

Posted in Boys Basketball, Middle School | Tagged Boys Basketball, Carson Grove, Chayse Van Velkinburgh, CMS Wolves, season opener, Sultan | Leave a Comment »

The many moods of Jada Heaton

November 14, 2023 by David Svien

Jada Heaton, getting the maximum enjoyment out of every moment she has as an athlete. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Jada Heaton is the best of what high school sports can be.

There are others, both in Coupeville and in far-flung locales, who approach their seasons with joy, happiness, and utter delight.

But the Wolf junior is arguably the best at what she does, which is to bring the whole freakin’ sun with her into the gym and onto the diamond.

I hope that I’m not putting too much pressure on her or embarrassing her with the spotlight.

But dang it, Jada deserves all the praise, because her sheer joy at getting to be a prep athlete is infectious and a great testament to how she has been raised.

Every town needs a Jada, and Coupeville is lucky to have her be ours.