Coupeville Sports

A mere 72 days until opening night

June 22, 2022 by David Svien

Helen Strelow returns this fall to make a run at qualifying a second time for the state cross country meet. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

We’re going to the future.

One school year is still fading away in the background, and already some of us are looking ahead at plans for another.

Coupeville High School has released schedules for five of its six fall sports programs, with boys tennis the lone exception.

That’s because the program is twisting in the wind, having failed to field a team in back-to-back seasons.

The move from 1A to 2B stung the net program, as the transition bounced boys soccer from the spring to the fall.

That means four sports — cross country, football, soccer, and tennis — are fighting for male bodies in the same season, and there are only so many athletes to be had.

If tennis is able to pull together a team, we’ll have a schedule for you closer to the fall.

But for now, you’ll have to make do with what we have.

The first day of practice for CHS football is Aug. 17, with volleyball, soccer, cross country, and (maybe) tennis starting Aug. 22.

Games start Sept. 2, and when you go to laminate the schedules, remember the words of Coupeville Athletic Director Willie Smith.

“As always, they are living, breathing, ever-slightly changing documents…”

Willie Smith scans the future, looking for schedule changes.

* = league games

BOYS SOCCER:

Tues-Sept. 6 — Auburn Adventist Academy
Tues-Sept. 13 — @ Mount Vernon Christian
Sat-Sept. 17 — Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood
Tues-Sept. 20 — @ La Conner
Fri-Sept. 23 — Friday Harbor
Tues-Sept. 27 — Orcas Island
Tues-Oct. 4 — @ Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood (*)
Sat-Oct. 8 — Mount Vernon Christian (*)
Tues-Oct. 11 — @ Grace Academy (*)
Fri-Oct. 14 — @ Friday Harbor (*)
Tues-Oct. 18 — Providence Classical Christian (*)
Sat-Oct. 22 — Lopez Island (*)
Tues-Oct. 25 — La Conner (*) — SENIOR NIGHT
Thur-Oct. 27 — @ Orcas Island (*)

CROSS COUNTRY:

Sat-Sept. 10 — @ Sehome Invitational
Sat-Sept. 17 — @ Westling Invitational (South Whidbey)
Wed-Sept. 21 — @ Orcas Island
Sat-Sept. 24 — @ King’s Invite
Tues-Sept. 27 — @ Concrete
Sat-Oct. 1 — @ Twilight Invitational (Cedarcrest)
Sat-Oct. 8 — @ Hole in the Wall Invitational (Lakewood)

FOOTBALL:

Fri-Sept. 2 — @ Klahowya
Fri-Sept. 9 — South Whidbey — THE BUCKET GAME
Fri-Sept. 16 — Sultan
Fri-Sept. 23 — @ La Conner (*)
Fri-Sept. 30 — Friday Harbor (*) — HOMECOMING
Fri-Oct. 7 — Bellingham
Fri-Oct. 14 — @ Cascade (Leavenworth)
Fri-Oct. 21 — La Conner (*) — SENIOR NIGHT
Fri-Oct. 28 — @ Friday Harbor (*)

GIRLS SOCCER:

Tues-Sept. 6 — Auburn Adventist Academy
Thur-Sept. 8 — @ Friday Harbor (*)
Tues-Sept. 13 — Oak Harbor
Thurs-Sept. 15 — @ University Prep
Sat-Sept. 17 — Ocosta
Sat-Sept. 24 — @ Forks
Tues-Sept. 27 — Mount Vernon Christian (*)
Tues-Sept. 29 — @ La Conner (*)
Tues-Oct. 4 — Friday Harbor (*)
Sat-Oct. 8 — Crosspoint
Thur-Oct. 13 — @ Mount Vernon Christian (*)
Tues-Oct. 18 — @ Granite Falls
Sat-Oct. 22 — @Sultan
Tues-Oct 25 — La Conner (*) — SENIOR NIGHT

VOLLEYBALL:

Tues-Sept. 6 — Auburn Adventist Academy
Thur-Sept. 8 — Friday Harbor (*)
Sat-Sept. 10 — @ South Whidbey Tournament
Mon-Sept. 12 — @ South Whidbey
Tues-Sept. 13 — @ Cedar Park Christian-Bothell
Fri-Sept. 16 — @ Sundome Tournament (Yakima)
Tues-Sept. 20 — @ Darrington (*)
Thur-Sept. 22 — Orcas Island (*)
Sat-Sept. 24 — @ Forks
Thu-Sept. 29 — @ La Conner (*)
Sat-Oct. 1 — South Whidbey
Tues-Oct. 4 — @ Friday Harbor (*)
Tues-Oct. 11 — Concrete (*)
Thur-Oct. 13 — @ Mount Vernon Christian (*)
Thur-Oct. 20 — Darrington (*)
Sat-Oct. 22 — @ Orcas Island (*)
Tues-Oct. 25 — La Conner (*) — SENIOR NIGHT

Posted in Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis, Cross Country, Football, Girls Soccer, Volleyball | Tagged CHS Wolves, cross country, fall schedules, football, Soccer, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

Turning pain into positivity

June 21, 2022 by David Svien

Brandon Graham

Family and friends of Brandon Graham, a 2007 Coupeville High School grad who died last summer, are starting a foundation to assist others.

The goal is to “honor Brandon by bringing awareness of suicide to the community, so no other family must go through the pain Brandon’s family has gone through.”

The foundation, which is being started by Coupeville grads Debbie Vescovi and Michelle Armstrong, will offer support for Coupeville and Oak Harbor schools, with a focus on mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and anti-bullying efforts.

Money raised will be used to provide resources for students and training for teachers and parents, with an emphasis on bringing together local law enforcement, chaplains, and motivational speakers to assist.

Foundation organizers are launching things with a fundraiser Aug. 6.

A luau dinner and silent auction is set for the Nordic Lodge in Coupeville (63 Jacobs Rd.), with things starting at 4 PM.

Tickets are limited and can be obtained either in person at Polished Studio in Oak Harbor (861 SE Pioneer Way) or by emailing thebrandongrahamfoundation@gmail.com.

Cost is $30 for single admission, or $50 for a couple.

The plan is to make the dinner a yearly fundraiser.

The foundation is also in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and will launch a website where people can donate to the ongoing work.

“Mental health wellness needs to be a number one priority for our children,” foundation organizers said in a statement.

“We, as a community, can provide our youth with tools to be able to work through the problems they have, and know that the community has their back.”

Posted in Fundraisers | Tagged Brandon Graham, CHS Wolves, foundation, fundraiser, luau | Leave a Comment »

Camden Glover leaves ’em thunderstruck

June 20, 2022 by David Svien

Camden Glover and his #1 fan, mom Stevie. (Photo courtesy Glover family)

He’s a young guy, but also a veteran.

When Camden Glover hits high school this fall, the Coupeville freshman will do so having already picked up playing experience at CHS.

He was a key part of the Wolf JV baseball team during his 8th grade season, flinging liquid heat as a pitcher and punching hits at the plate.

Glover whiffed five Mount Baker batters — and collected four RBI as a slugger — in an opening day win and remained one of the most reliable players CHS coach Jon Roberts had on his roster.

That topped off a rock-solid final year as a middle school student, following on the heels of a standout basketball season when he banged down low to pace the Wolf attack.

Glover had a stretch where he topped 20 points in multiple games, proving a deadly touch with the ball around the hoop and in the open floor.

Add it all together, and Tammy Glover’s oldest grandson is ready to have a huge impact at the high school level, with one of the more-enthusiastic rooting sections rockin’ the joint in support.

Camden celebrates his 8th grade graduation with his brothers. (Photo courtesy Glover family)

“The best part is our community,” Camden said. “And all the support from all our families.”

Glover plans to keep on playing basketball and baseball during his CHS days and finds something to enjoy in both sports.

“I like them equally,” he said.

“They are very different, but with basketball there is a lot more going on and it’s fast paced,” Glover added.

“It’s a great feeling when we do one of our plays smoothly and score a basket.”

Glover powers to the hoop for another bucket. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

When he’s not playing on the hardwood or diamond, Glover enjoys “hanging out with friends, riding my bike, (and) video games” and hails the Will Ferrell modern-classic Step Brothers as his favorite film.

The rising star relies on his large support crew, which is anchored by his family.

“Probably my mom (has had the biggest impact on me), because she has always pushed me to be the best I can be,” Glover said.

“All my coaches have been great so far,” he added. “Each of them have helped me grow in many different ways.”

Glover credits a large part of his success to “being able to remain calm under pressure,” while wanting “to work on my endurance and cardio.”

As he looks ahead to a bright future playing alongside fellow Wolf freshmen such as Aiden O’Neill and Chase Anderson, he has a clear vision of his athletic future.

“I would like to continue to be a reliable team player,” Glover said.

“And work on gaining confidence in my abilities and being a positive and encouraging role model.”

Posted in Baseball, Basketball | Tagged baseball, Basketball, Camden Glover, CHS Wolves, freshman, Step Brothers | Leave a Comment »

Tricky corner, big crash

June 19, 2022 by David Svien

A semi-truck crashed into the Penn Cove Pottery building Sunday morning. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

It’s a magnet for out-of-control vehicles.

For the second time in the last three months, Penn Cove Pottery was invaded by a runaway vehicle, with a semi-truck crashing into the building’s southwest corner Sunday morning.

The driver was pulled out of his truck by passerby, and firefighters responded quickly to put out the fire.

The crash follows on the heels of one in mid-April, when a truck slammed into a wooden building right next to the business, which sits on Penn Cove, at the bottom of a curve.

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged car accident, collision, John Fisken photos, Penn Cove Pottery, semi-truck | Leave a Comment »

It’s spring? Football is sprung!

June 17, 2022 by David Svien

Logan Downes looks for an open receiver. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The Bennett Richter era is underway.

Coupeville High School’s new head football coach made his debut Thursday, as the Wolves traveled to Richter’s alma mater for a five-team spring scrimmage.

Oak Harbor hosted the event, with South Whidbey, Sedro-Woolley, and Inglemoor (led by former CHS coach Marcus Carr) also on the field.

Since my blog is called Coupeville Sports, that’s what we’re focusing on with our selection of pics, but there are plenty of photos featuring the other Whidbey schools.

To take a look at what wanderin’ photographer John Fisken snapped, pop over to:

Coupeville:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Football-2022-2023/FB-2022-06-16-Scrimmage-at-OHHS/

Oak Harbor:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Oak-Harbor-Football-2022-2023/FB-2022-06-16-Scrimmage-at-OHHS/

South Whidbey:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/South-Whidbey-HS/FB-2022-06-16-Scrimmage-at-OHHS/