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“I just don’t think that’s the place to cut”

May 10, 2023 by David Svien

Willie Smith – the body may be at rest, but the brain is constantly firing at 100 MPH. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“It’s a terrible idea.”

Friday Harbor High School Athletic Director Brock Hauck is not a fan of a proposed Coupeville Schools budget cut which would remove Willie Smith as AD, and hand his duties off to an already-busy assistant principal.

Hauck and Smith have become friends over the years, but the Friday Harbor AD is all about the business when he looks at the potential fallout of such a move.

“I don’t think most people are aware of the time and effort put in by AD’s behind the scenes,” Hauck said. “With the constant phone calls and emails, it’s almost a 24/7 job.”

Asking an assistant principal to balance the AD job with their other duties would make for a juggling act, one which Hauck doesn’t believe would benefit Coupeville, or the Northwest 2B/1B League.

Smith is currently president of the NWL and works to solve issues for the other six schools as well as his own.

“Willie is very valuable, not just to Coupeville, but to our league,” Hauck said. “He has a lot of knowledge, a great networking system, and is always consistent.

“(Losing him) would be a big loss for our league, and our teams in general,” he added. “He’s a quality man.

“I don’t believe it will go well, and I think you will see sports programs fall off without him.”

While Hauck, like all coaches and athletic directors, appreciates that budget cuts often have to be made, he doesn’t think the relatively small savings Coupeville would generate from the switch balances out with the repercussions.

“I just don’t think that’s the place to cut.”

Posted in Hands Off My Willie | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments »

Mad Dog returns to hardwood

May 10, 2023 by David Svien

Maddie Georges contemplates the many ways she can destroy you. (Andrew Williams photo)

There are more three-balls in her future.

Coupeville High School senior Maddie Georges has been tabbed to play in a Washington All-State girls basketball game June 17 in Spokane.

The event, sponsored by NBC Camps and BSN Sports, features three contests divided by classification.

Georges will be part of the 2B/1B game, which tips at 1:30 PM at the Hub Sports Center, with 2A/1A and 4A/3A games following at 3:30 and 5:30, respectively.

Cherish Moss of Neah Bay coaches the 2B/1B West team, while Colfax hoops guru Jordan Holmes guides the East squad.

“I said, give me the dang ball if you want to live!” (Bailey Thule photo)

During her time at CHS, Georges was a four-year varsity hoops player who rattled the rims for 407 points.

Despite losing a chunk of games to pandemic restrictions and being a pass-first point guard for much of her prep career, Mad Dog stands as the #24 scorer in the 49-year history of Wolf girls’ basketball.

Mad Dog and Alita the Assassin cap stellar volleyball careers. (Suzan Georges photo)

Georges was also a standout volleyball player and joined teammate Alita Blouin in playing in the 1B/2B/1A All-State game this past fall.

After graduation, Georges plans to attend Western Washington University, where she will major in Exercise Science.

Posted in Girls Basketball | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

One more swing, several more pics

May 10, 2023 by David Svien

Fab frosh Teagan Calkins gets a helping hand from coach Kevin McGranahan after an injury. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The finale approaches.

Coupeville High School softball takes the field for the final time this season Friday, traveling to South Whidbey to clash with the Falcons.

Win and the Wolves earn a season sweep of their next-door neighbors — CHS won 20-2 first time around — while finishing with a spiffy 14-6 record.

As we count down towards the end, a photographic look at the best softball squad on Whidbey Island, courtesy Diet Coke-fueled photo clicker John Fisken.

Aaron Lucero imparts diamond wisdom to Chloe Marzocca. “Hit the balll … HARD!!”

Haylee Armstrong, already crunching homers and triples as just an 8th grader, stares intently at her bright future. She might want to wear sunglasses.

Melanie Navarro awaits an incoming strike.

Calkins, ankle secured, delivers a heartfelt Senior Night tribute to some of her older teammates.

“When I flex that muscle right there while hitting? The ball goes over the wall and it doesn’t come back.”

“Was it a hit or an error?”

“We’ll be the judge of that!”

Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

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

CHS sophomore shines at USA’s #1 dog show

May 10, 2023 by David Svien

Gabriella Gebhard hits the big time. (Photos courtesy Stephanie Gebhard)

Coupeville took a sizable bite out of the Big Apple.

CHS sophomore Gabriella Gebhard and her English setter, Walker – Set’r Ridge’s Legend in the Making, competed Tuesday at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

The duo competed for the Junior Showmanship title and landed in the top half of the 89 competitors.

Luke Waters of Indiana, showing a Wire Fox Terrier known as Claypools Make Your Mark, claimed top honors.

Westminster, now in its 147th year, is the premier dog show in America, and you have to earn your ticket to compete.

For Gebhard and her rivals, that meant earning Best Junior Handler status in “a minimum of two competing classes at seven or more AKC dog shows in the previous year.”

Getting limbered up for their big-city debut.

Gebhard, who was making her debut appearance at Westminster, is well on her way to qualifying for a repeat trip in 2024.

In Junior Showmanship, judges evaluate the handler on “how they present their dog and how they enhance their dog’s qualities.”

They need to “be able to demonstrate to the judge knowledge of their breed and appropriate ways to present the dog,” with judges looking at “control of the dog, presentation of the dog, and teamwork between the junior and their dog.”

Gebhard and Walker aim for that perfect angle.

While Gabriella was aiming for the crown, showing strongly in her big-time debut is a huge positive.

“The judge looked at her and Walker until the very end,” mom Stephanie Gebhard said. “Impressive on her first try.”

Congrats to a top-notch doggo.

Posted in AKC dog showing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment »

Playoff fever roars to life

May 10, 2023 by David Svien

CHS net queen Djina Radenovic flicks a forehand. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The postseason is almost upon us.

The goal is to make it to the state championships, but first Coupeville High School spring sports athletes have to make it past districts.

Wolf baseball and track and field throw down this Saturday, May 13, while girls’ tennis players vie to punch their state ticket May 19.

Softball is the only CHS program not to have a shot at making the big dance, having been eliminated in the regular season league finale.

The outlook for Coupeville teams, and players, still in contention:

 

BASEBALL:

When:

Saturday, May 13

 

Where:

Lakewood High School (Arlington) — 17023 11th Ave NE

 

What:

Northwest Christian of Lacey (7-7) plays Friday Harbor (8-8) at noon in a loser-out game.

Winner returns to the field at 2:00 PM to face Coupeville (15-5) in a winner-to-state, loser-out game.

 

Cost:

Adult — $8
Children (5-12) — $6
Senior Citizen (62+) — $6
Students with ASB — $6

Tickets, which are good for both games, can be purchased with cash or through Go Fan at https://gofan.co/app/events/984412?schoolId=WA86277

 

Wolf baseball fans Sherry Bonacci (left) and Pam Pease cheer on their team.

 

GIRLS TENNIS:

When:

Friday, May 19

 

Where:

Amy Yee Tennis Center (Seattle) — 2000 Martin Luther King Junior Way S.

 

What:

Coupeville, Friday Harbor, and Three Rivers Christian (Longview) each send two singles players and two doubles teams.

Top two seeds receive first round bye, and tourney is single elimination.

Play begins at 9:30 AM.

One singles player and one doubles team advance to state championships.

 

Cost:

Free

 

Jordan Ford passes on pole vault wisdom to a next gen star.

 

TRACK AND FIELD:

When:

Saturday, May 13

 

Where:

Mickey Clark Field in Coupeville (6 S. Main Street – behind Coupeville Elementary)

 

What:

One location, two meets, with 2B vs. 2B and 1B vs. 1B.

Nine 1B schools and four 2B schools — Coupeville, Friday Harbor, La Conner, and Northwest Christian (Lacey) — compete.

For 2B athletes, top finisher in each event Saturday advances to state.

If you don’t win a title, you can also punch your ticket if you hit pre-set state meet qualifying times or throwing distances during the district meet.

 

Cost:

Adult — $8
Children (5-12) — $6
Senior Citizen (62+) — $6
Students with ASB — $6

 

Cash or Go Fan at:

https://gofan.co/app/events/973923?schoolId=WA86277

Posted in Baseball, Girls Tennis, Track | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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