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Wolf 6th grader Tamsin Ward made a splash in her first middle school track season. (Photo courtesy Jandellyn Ward)

She’s off to an impressive start.

Coupeville Middle School 6th grader Tamsin Ward won 11 times, across four different events, in the just-concluded track and field season.

While middle school stats are notoriously hard to document (more on that in a second), her 2023 campaign ranks as the third-best put up by a Wolf athlete in the last 15 years.

Only Lindsey Roberts, with 18 wins, and state champ Alex Murdy, with 12, had more in a single spring, and both accomplished that feat as 8th graders.

Danny Conlisk (10), who went on to win two state titles as a high school runner, is fourth, while Nick Laska notched nine victories as a 7th grader this spring, tying him with Makana Stone at #5 on the CMS single-season list.

Now, here’s where we talk about why it’s nearly impossible to fully document what may have happened in the past.

While athletic.net makes modern life much easier, compiling track and field activity from across the country, it’s only been with us since 2004.

Originally released just in Oregon (not a state we live in), its Coupeville Middle School-related data doesn’t go back any further than 2008.

So, while I can document 87 Wolves who have earned a medal at the high school state track and field championships — dating back to 1963 — only 39 of those competitors have readily available middle school results.

But wait, CMS might have something in its own records … ha ha, just kidding. No one held on to anything.

So, while Tyler and Kyle King have 11 and 10 state meet medals, respectively, and Natasha Bamberger won five state titles, they and other “early” contenders such as Jeff Fielding and Joy Hack aren’t part of this project.

Unless someone has some handwritten notes stashed in a box out in a barn.

Until then, the best seasons by a CMS track and field athlete between 2008-2023 are listed below.

The list goes 12 deep, and not 10, because of a three-way tie at #10.

Seen here as a high school track athlete, Jared Helmstadter got off to a strong start in middle school. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

 

Lindsey Roberts
18 wins
2015 – 8th grade

200 (6)
1600 (4)
100 Hurdles (6)
4 x 100 Relay (2)

 

Alex Murdy
12 wins
2019 – 8th grade

200 (2)
4 x 100 Relay (4)
High Jump (3)
Long Jump (3)

 

Tamsin Ward
11 wins
2023 – 6th grade

100 (4)
Shot Put (4)
High Jump (2)
Long Jump (1)

 

Danny Conlisk
10 wins
2015 – 8th grade

100 (1)
200 (3)
1600 (6)

 

Nick Laska
9 wins
2023 – 7th grade

4 x 100 Relay (2)
Shot Put (3)
Discus (4)

 

Makana Stone
9 wins
2012 – 8th grade

200 (2)
400 (4)
4 x 200 Relay (2)
Long Jump (1)

 

Chris Battaglia
8 wins
2014 – 7th grade

1600 (3)
4 x 200 Relay (3)
High Jump (2)

 

Chris Battaglia
8 wins
2015 – 8th grade

Discus (4)
High Jump (4)

 

Jared Helmstadter
7 wins
2012 – 8th grade

100 (3)
400 (2)
4 x 100 Relay (2)

 

Beckett Green
6 wins
2023 – 7th grade

100 (2)
200 (2)
4 x 100 Relay (2)

 

Lathom Kelley
6 wins
2012 – 8th grade

800 (2)
4 x 100 Relay (2)
Shot Put (2)

 

Lindsey Roberts
6 wins
2014 – 7th grade

200 (1)
1600 (2)
75 Hurdles (3)

Melanie Wolfe gets a free base the painful way while playing in a varsity high school softball game as a middle school student. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The campus will be the same, but everything else will be (slightly) different.

Coupeville Middle School 8th graders officially become high schoolers Wednesday, with a “passages” ceremony set for 6:00 PM in the school PAC.

The Class of 2027 is 57 deep, though that number is almost certain to change between now and graduation.

Some may come, some may leave, but it’s a group deep in promising athletes and stellar students.

Thanks to Coupeville High School playing sports in the 2B classification, three 8th graders have already played varsity softball games while still attending middle school classes.

That trio — Haylee Armstrong, Capri Anter, and Melanie Wolfe — have an early advantage, but two others — Jack Farrell and Matthew Gilbert — also played at the high school level as 8th graders.

That duo suited up for the Wolf JV baseball squad.

Jack Farrell, ahead of the curve. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

But whether they’ve already played high school ball, or vied at the middle school level, or pursued other non-sports interests, the future is bright for the Class of ’27.

 

Coupeville’s incoming 9th graders are:

Noah Allred
Capri Anter
Sage Arends
Haylee Armstrong
Kingston Bartholomew
Zachary Blitch
Isabella Bowder
Tirsit Cannon
Jasmine Castellanos
Kayla Crane
Nicholas D’Haene
Lexis Drake
Jack Farrell
Chloe Ferguson
Matthew Gilbert
Kauri Hamilton
Chance Hart
Zoe Holm
Davin Houston
Kenneth Jacobsen
Bella Karr
Riley Lawless
Orion Liedtke
Samantha Marchese
Axel Marshall
Myra McDonald
Euphey McGraw
Jayden McManus
Marisol Montiel
Javen Morton
Dante Muthee
Mahkai Myles
Tyler Nastali
Natalie Perera
Sofia Phay
Kayden Pope
Lydia Price
Chase Rayner
Samuel Richards
Nikolas Rogers
Ivy Rudat
Solomon Rudat
Hana Schmanski
Evangelina Shelly
Sophia Siverly
Gabriel Smith
Lindy Sylvester
Captain Teuscher
Jovanah Villagomez
Ira Volpentesta
Ethan Walling
Jackson Waterbury
Stella Waterbury
Zachariah Wertz
Riley White
Taelor Wilkins
Melanie Wolfe

Abbie Moss and her boy, Blu. (Photos courtesy Kristy Moss)

Let the awards rain down.

Coupeville 5th grader Abbie Moss and her horse Blu have been to two reigning and ranch riding horse shows and brought home six ribbons each time.

The second time out, the soon-to-be middle schooler and her equine pal claimed two 1sts, three 2nds, and a 3rd place finish this past weekend.

Ready for the spotlight.

The event, run by the Northwest Reining Association, was held at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden.

Abbie has been doing reining classes and ranch rail and loving both,” said mom Kristy Moss.

“She is getting better and learning more every single show. Her commitment to improve is so admirable.”

“We’re going to win all the ribbons. Yes, we are.”

Scotlyn Helm is all about that trophy life. (Photos courtesy Jerry Helm)

They’re thunder and lightning.

Coupeville sisters Finley and Scotlyn Helm continue to rip up the racing oval (and sometimes their own cars) in the pursuit of pedal to the metal excellence.

The duo is coming off of an eventful weekend, overcoming wrecks and broken car parts to triumph in Washington Quarter Midget Association races.

Both Helm sisters severely damaged their cars in the opening race Sunday, forcing dad/chief grease monkey Jerry Helm to scramble into repair mode.

Scotlyn, powering through on a wing and a prayer, limped in with a 3rd place performance “with one front tire pointing to the left and one pointing to the right.”

“Not exactly ideal for speed, but she powered through,” Jerry Helm said with a laugh.

Finley’s souped-up auto was more badly hurt after the opening fender benders, with “emergency duct tape and zip ties” not enough to get her across the finish line.

Finley Helm, always with a need, a need for speed.

Still, both sisters made it back to the track for the day’s second race after dad pulled off some automotive miracles.

Once back on the track, Scotlyn hit top speed, winning her race, while Finley careened in with a “solid 3rd place finish.”

“Powering through adversity, there were life lessons for everyone today,” said dad. “Super proud of their tenacity, and the grit they had on display today.”

The Helm sisters, who have a bubbly baby brother hankering to join the racing crew, have been super successful since joining the auto racing circle.

Scotlyn first hit the track in 2022, with Finley joining her this year.

You can get out of Scotlyn Helm’s way, or she can drive right over you. Your choice, skippy.

Djina Radenovic kicks off our third look at Wolf graduates on their big day. (Photo courtesy Aaron Wiley)

We have to go back.

Graduation photos equals page hits, so, we return to Saturday’s Coupeville High School festivities one more time.

With a big thanks to Wolf Moms (and dads, and grandparents), for letting me merrily bounce around the internet, poaching pics as I go.

You are the true heroes.

Hayley Fiedler (Photo courtesy Tasha Fiedler)

Daylon Houston (left) and Alex Murdy. (Photo courtesy Sandi Murdy)

Allie and Maya Lucero. (Photo courtesy Aaron Lucero)

Anna Annunziato (Photo courtesy Sandi Farris)

Coupeville School Board directors (left to right) Nancy Conard, Alison Perera, Sherry Phay, Morgan White, and Christie Sears. (Photo courtesy Morgan White)

Radenovic is joined by Jonathan Valenzuela. (Photo courtesy Aaron Wiley)

Vivian Farris (Photo courtesy Susan Farris)