Coupeville Sports

“Torpedo” calls it a career

August 22, 2023 by David Svien

Sean Toomey-Stout, preparing to destroy you. (Chelle Herbruger photo)

The spirit is still willing, but the body has spoken.

Coupeville High School grad Sean Toomey-Stout, who beat considerable odds to make the jump from Cow Town to playing at the highest level of college football, is retiring from the sport.

University of Washington coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed the news after practice Tuesday, on a day when the Huskies lost three players to season-ending injuries.

Toomey-Stout, a two-time Male Athlete of the Year winner during his days in Coupeville, will take “a medical retirement” due to “a chronic injury getting to the point he could no longer continue playing.”

Believed to be the first Coupeville athlete to grace a trading card, Toomey-Stout joined Husky football as a walk-on player in 2021.

He was twice named to the Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll, and played in six games last season, including making an appearance in the team’s Alamo Bowl win over Texas.

Toomey-Stout, the only CHS grad to ever rack up stats for Washington’s NCAA D-I football program, collected seven tackles, with a high of three against Colorado and Kent State.

He also saw the field against Oregon, Arizona State, and Portland State.

“The Torpedo” with his former high school coach, and fellow NCAA D-I football player, Kwamane Bowens. (Photo courtesy Bowens)

The twin brother of Maya, “The Torpedo” was a viral video star while in a Coupeville uniform.

Recordings of the night he took a kick to the house behind the blocking of a wayward deer popped up everywhere from Sports Illustrated to CNN.

Sean played football, basketball, and track for the Wolves, winning two state meet medals in the latter sport.

He also competed with older brother Cameron for the unofficial “Best Damn Hair in the Western Hemisphere” award, with the duo usually separated only by a single (well-coiffed) strand.

The shot? Beautiful. The hair? Impeccable. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Posted in Football | Tagged CHS Wolves, football, medical retirement, Sean Toomey-Stout, University of Washington | Leave a Comment »

It’s the wedding of the summer!

August 22, 2023 by David Svien

Former Coupeville High School Athlete of the Year winners Payton Aparicio and Hunter Smith tie the knot. (Photos courtesy Charlotte Young)

Two empires unite, two stars soar together, and David gets all the page hits.

I said, all of them.

The wedding of the summer, at least for Wolf Nation, went down this weekend, as Coupeville grads Hunter Smith and Payton Aparicio swapped vows.

The union brings together two CHS Athlete of the Year winners, while raising the possibility that any future offspring might add to the family’s trophy case.

While wearing red and black, of course, or there will be much whining from this direction.

But anyways, on to the photos, which is why you’re really here.

The lead-in to the big day.

Older brother CJ engages Hunter in a battle for suit supremacy. Who wore it better?

Lil sis’ Scout reminds her brother she went to state in more sports than he did.

Payton preps with mom Tami and big sis Sydney.

Payton’s aunt, Sarah Stuurmans, and cousins Lyla and Tenley class up the joint.

CJ hugs it out with fiancée Sylvia Hurlburt, and I start counting the days until I can publish their wedding pics.

Payton’s former teammates, Hannah Davidson (left) and Maya Tooomey-Stout, reunite with Scout.

Hunter gets the thumb of approval from father-in-law Mitch Aparicio.

The start of their next chapter.

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged CHS Wolves, Hunter Smith, Maya Toomey-Stout, Payton Aparicio, wedding | Leave a Comment »

Dad can drive fast, too

August 21, 2023 by David Svien

“Vroom vroom, old man! I make the car do what she does!!” (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)

The family that races together polishes trophies together.

Following in the footsteps of daughters Finley and Scotlyn Helm, Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue Chief Jerry Helm has been bitten by the car bug.

The Coupeville High School grad and former firefighter calendar heartthrob is now an officially licensed NASCAR Street Stock Division racer.

“Pops” Helm punches the pedal through the metal at Evergreen Speedway in Monroe.

Jerry Helm (right) blazes a new trail, one lap at a time.

With a little help from his main mechanic, Kasen, the family patriarch is a regular at the Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series.

That puts three of five family members in the driver’s seat, with Finley and Scotlyn racing in the Washington Quarter Midget Association.

Passing cars like a young Dale Earnhardt.

Mom Lindsey is holding things down as a popular teacher at Coupeville Elementary School, while the aforementioned Kasen is champing at the bit to get his own car.

“Yeah, he definitely knows when the race cars are nearby,” dad said with a laugh. “He’s my little shop hand until he can reach the pedals.”

“Listen up, Pops. Use my tools, put ’em back where you got them from!”

Posted in auto sports | Tagged Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, CHS Wolves, Evergreen Speedway, Jerry Helm, NASCAR, quarte | Leave a Comment »

Take a victory lap, Wolf Nation!!

August 20, 2023 by David Svien

“Your wallet, take it over there, son!” (Mandi Black photo)

We did it.

Working together as a community, as Wolf Nation, we turned a negative into a positive.

Budget cuts originally claimed the Athletic Trainer position at Coupeville High School, but we weren’t having it.

Thanks to contributions through GoFundMe and in person, we made a solid run at collecting the $8,600 necessary to fund the job for the 2023-2024 school year.

Then, Sunday, spurred by a large group of volunteers, a car wash got us the rest of the way.

The district agreed to accept a donation from the public to fund the position.

The Athletic Trainer’s direct supervisor, Coupeville Athletic Director Willie Smith, has confirmed Wolf grad Jessica Caselden will remain in the position.

When Sept. 1 rolls around, and the Wolves host Klahowya in the football opener, a daughter of the prairie will be exactly where she should be — providing care and inspiration to your children.

Take a victory lap, Wolf Nation. You deserve it.

Surviving the smog for a good cause. (Mandi Black photo)

“Let the sponges hit the floor!” (Dina Guay photo)

Smooth operators. (Mandi Black photo)

Future CHS athletic stars make a stand in support of one of their best role models. (Mandi Black photo)

They will … rock you. (Mandi Black photo)

Jessica Caselden (in red shirt) with some of her many fans. (Dina Guay photo)

Posted in Fundraisers | Tagged budget cuts, car wash, CHS Wolves, fundraiser, Jessica Caselden, Wolf Nation | Leave a Comment »

Wolves find their practice groove

August 20, 2023 by David Svien

Coupeville football players clash. (Photos by Nikki Breaux and Michelle Glass)

They made the day count.

Beating the arrival of wildfire smoke in the air, Coupeville High School football players stayed busy Saturday, combining a bluff run with a team breakfast and a full practice.

The gridiron giants will be joined by volleyball, cross country, cheer, and soccer players Monday, as practices for fall sports get into full gear.

But, for the moment, football had all the cameras pointed its way.