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Young, fast, and winnin’ all the awards

November 7, 2023 by David Svien

Carson Field (1802) and Thomas Strelow streak for the finish line. (Wendi Wasik photos)

The future is bright.

Year six of the rebirth of Coupeville High School cross country featured eight runners advancing to state, with the Wolf boys claiming 10th place in the team standings — their best showing since the late ’70s.

Every harrier who made the trip to Pasco, and 15 of 18 on the roster, can return next season, when CHS coach Elizabeth Bitting will also get an influx of promising new freshmen.

But before looking ahead to what fall 2024 might bring, the Wolves joined the awards banquet scene Tuesday, putting a wrap on this go-round.

Sophomore Noelle Western and junior Carson Field, both now two-time state qualifiers, earned Most Valuable Runner status to headline the shindig.

Noelle Western heads off to state. (Kerry Western photo)

 

Other awards:

 

Captain:

Erica McGrath
Landon Roberts

 

Character Award:

Landon Roberts

 

Most Inspirational:

Damy Giacobbe

 

Most Improved:

Ezekiel Allen

 

Newcomer of the Year:

Santi Ojeda

 

Almost Perfect Attendance:

Reagan Callahan
Carson Field
Thomas Strelow

 

Four-Year Award:

Erica McGrath

 

Tri-District meet certificate:

Ezekiel Allen
Ari Armstrong
Reagan Callahan
Carson Field
Kenneth Jacobsen
Aleksia Jump
Axel Marshall
Erica McGrath
Landon Roberts
George Spear
Thomas Strelow
Noelle Western

 

State meet certificate:

Ezekiel Allen
Carson Field
Kenneth Jacobsen
Axel Marshall
Landon Roberts
George Spear
Thomas Strelow
Noelle Western

 

Varsity letter winners:

Ezekiel Allen
Ari Armstrong
Reagan Callahan
Carson Field
Preston Howard
Kenneth Jacobsen
Aleksia Jump
Axel Marshall
Erica McGrath
Landon Roberts
George Spear
Thomas Strelow
Nicholas Wasik
Noelle Western

 

Participation certificates:

Zach Blitch
Jasmine Castellanos
Damy Giacobbe
Santi Ojeda

 

Jasmine Castellanos flies up the trail.

Posted in Cross Country | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

Yakima is calling their names

November 7, 2023 by David Svien

Coupeville volleyball aces Jada Heaton (left) and Mia Farris, off to the bright lights of Yakima. (Jennifer Heaton photo)

Next stop, the wilds of Eastern Washington.

The Coupeville High School varsity volleyball squad is off to the state tourney for the first time since 2017, with the bus departing Cow Town Tuesday afternoon.

The Wolves open play in the 16-team double-elimination royal rumble Wednesday at 9:45 AM in the SunDome against Lind-Ritzville-Sprague.

Win or lose, CHS is back on the floor later in the day, with hopes of advancing to day #2, which goes down Thursday.

As they departed, the spikers were sent off by fellow students, teachers, administrators, parents, and fans, as you can see in the pics above and below.

Chloe Marzocca is ready for the long trip. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Marzocca)

Ten talented young women, one exquisite dream of kickin’ fanny and takin’ names. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Heaton)

JV spikers (l to r) Capri Anter, Haylee Armstrong, and Lexis Drake root for their varsity counterparts. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

Jada Heaton lets mom snag a forever memory. (Photo courtesy Jennifer Heaton)

Wolf coach Cory Whitmore works the reception line. (Coupeville Schools photo)

“When are we stopping for coffee???” (Photo courtesy Jennifer Marzocca)

Posted in Volleyball | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

One baby, two empires

November 7, 2023 by David Svien

Adeline Richter informs dad Bennett his football players should be running stairs right now, even if it is the offseason. (Photos courtesy Megan Richter)

There’s a new coach on the sidelines.

Adeline Joy Richter, the cutest baby to appear on Coupeville Sports today, arrived Nov. 2, uniting two sports empires.

Mom is Megan (Smith) Richter, three-time CHS Athlete of the Year turned Wolf varsity girls’ basketball coach.

Dad is Bennett Richter, state football champ (back in his Oak Harbor days) and the man who ended Coupeville football’s three-decade dry spell, bringing a gridiron league title back to Cow Town in 2022.

Grandpa is CHS Athletic Director Willie Smith, the first coach to lead a Wolf girls’ team to a state tourney win in ANY sport.

Grandma is Cherie Smith, the true power behind the throne, a hoops whisperer of great renown for both her husband and daughter.

And we haven’t even spoken of Uncles James and Ian Smith, legendary three-sport Wolf athletes who made South Whidbey sports teams cry more than once, which is just plain sweet.

Plus, Aunt Ashley Smith, who will be her fiercest protector, and countless cousins and other family members on both sides.

Why, Adeline, who popped into the world at 5 pounds, 15 ounces, and 19 inches long, might almost be called … “The Chosen One.”

Just don’t tell Grandpa I said that.

“How you doin’?”

“Mom, we can’t tell dad this, but … basketball is God’s chosen sport.”

“Yowza, is it just me or is there a draft in here?”

Hangin’ with the grandparentals.

“I’m snug as a bug in a rug.”

“I already signed a NIL deal? Sweet!”

“Hit the gas, Skippy! Big Ten hoops on Peacock in 10 minutes and rumors of a bottle waiting for me!”

Posted in Babies, Basketball, Football | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Booters kick off banquet season

November 6, 2023 by David Svien

Ayden Wyman is the first Coupeville High School girl to letter while playing with the boys’ soccer program. (Jackie Saia photo)

A season of success ended with awards raining down.

The Coupeville High School soccer squad, a co-ed unit which was ranked as high as #4 in the state before finishing 6-6, kicked off awards banquet season Monday night.

Coaches Robert Wood and Kimberly Kisch honored senior Cole White with the Ballon d’Or, which goes to the top player.

Sophomore Ezra Boilek snagged Golden Boot honors after leading the team in scoring with eight goals, while seniors Nick Guay and Andrew Williams received four-year awards for playing every season.

Ezra Boilek dreams of scoring goals. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

 

The night’s other honorees:

 

Freshman MVP:

Solomon Rudat

 

Sophomore MVP:

Ezra Boilek

 

Junior MVP:

Hurlee Bronec

 

Senior MVP:

Cole White

Cole White works on his skills. (Jackie Saia photo)

 

Varsity captains:

Hank Milnes
Andrew Williams

 

JV captains:

Josh Lujan
Lydia Price

 

Most Improved:

Frankie Tenore

 

Player Voted Starting Lineup:

Ezra Boilek
Hurlee Bronec
Preston Epp
Nick Guay
Hank Milnes
Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim
Matthew Ward
Cole White
Andrew Williams
Cael Wilson
Ayden Wyman

 

Scholar Athletes (3.5 or better GPA):

Ezra Boilek
Hurlee Bronec
Mason Butler
Preston Epp
Nick Guay
Joshua Lujan
Hank Milnes (4.0 – Running Start)
Lydia Price (4.0)
Solomon Rudat
Cole White (4.0)
Andrew Williams (4.0)
Ayden Wyman (4.0)

 

Varsity letter winners:

Ezra Boilek
Hurlee Bronec
Preston Epp
Nick Guay
Dane Hadsall
Hank Milnes
Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim
Matthew Ward
Cole White
Andrew Williams
Cael Wilson
Ayden Wyman

 

Participation certificate:

Sage Arends
Mason Butler
Bryley Gilbert
Olivia Hall
Joshua Lujan
Brynn Parker
Angel Partida
Lydia Price
Sam Richards
Solomon Rudat
Frankie Tenore

A frequent sight this season. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Posted in soccer | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

News-Times loses ace reporter

November 6, 2023 by David Svien

Karina Andrew

Whidbey journalism has taken a hit.

After 2.5+ years of knocking it out of the park for the Whidbey News-Times, Karina Andrew is taking her byline and hitting the road.

Andrew joined the WNT in May 2021 after an internship with The Salt Lake Tribune, and quickly became indispensable.

She covered just about every subject available during her time at my old stomping grounds, and I particularly enjoyed her foray into sports coverage when she wrote a first-person account of her triathlon debut.

You can read it here:

Completing triathlon is a feat in itself

But she was more than just a fast-typing reporter, as Andrew also graced the stage at Whidbey Playhouse, taking lead roles in revivals of Grease, Barefoot in the Park, and more.

Newspapers may not be what they once were, but as long as talented young writers still wade into the pit each day, there is hope.

Dedicated, hardworking, innovative, deeply committed, and owner of a joyous personality, Andrew occupied the seat in the WNT newsroom once owned by one of my mentors, Geoff Newton.

She honored that chair, and both Sound Publishing and her readers were lucky to have her land on Whidbey.

Keep your eyes on the headlines, because this won’t be the last time we see Karina Andrew in the spotlight.

Posted in Everything changes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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