Coupeville Sports

Clear eyes, full schedules, can’t lose

August 16, 2021 by David Svien

Gwen Gustafson and Co. have full schedules this year. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The Wolf booters jump from a six-game schedule to a 16-game one.

The schedules are back to normal.

Or, at least a lot closer than they were a year ago.

While some restrictions — like spectators needing to wear masks — are still in place, high school sports schedules have largely reverted to pre-pandemic normalcy.

After playing out of order during the 2020-2021 school year, fall sports are back to the front of the pack, with winter, then spring competitions planned to follow.

Non-conference bouts are back in vogue, which means Coupeville returns to playing next-door rival South Whidbey.

Also, both the Bucket Game and Homecoming live again for football, and almost all CHS teams will play a double-digit number of games.

Hopefully.

As everyone who has lived through the Age of Coronavirus knows, nothing is set in stone. Things can, and may, still change.

But for now, here’s where we sit, sport by sport.

PS — An * indicates a league contest.

BOYS SOCCER:

It’s a 16-game schedule, eight at home, eight on the road, with every tilt a conference showdown.

While just five of seven Northwest 2B/1B League schools play boys soccer — Coupeville, La Conner, Orcas Island, Mount Vernon Christian, and Friday Harbor — they’re joined for this one sport by four other squads.

While Concrete and Darrington avoid the pitch, Grace Academy, Providence Classical Christian, Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood, and Lopez Island take their places.

Tues-Sept. 7 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Fri-Sept. 10 — Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood — (6:00) *
Fri-Sept. 17 — Orcas Island — (4:00) *
Tues-Sept. 21 — Grace Academy — (6:00) *
Fri-Sept. 24 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:30) *
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ La Conner — (TBA) *
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Grace Academy — (3:30) *
Tues-Oct. 5 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — Mount Vernon Christian — (6:00) *
Sat-Oct. 9 — Providence Classical Christian — (1:00) *
Fri-Oct. 15 — @ Lopez Island — (TBA) *
Tues-Oct. 19 — Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Oct. 21 — @ Cedar Park Christian-Lynnwood — (4:00) *
Sat-Oct. 23 — Lopez Island — (12:30) * — SENIOR NIGHT
Tues-Oct. 26 — @ Orcas Island — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 28 — @ Providence Classical Christian — (TBA) *

BOYS TENNIS:

Only two NWL schools play boys tennis, which is why there was no season last year.

While Coupeville was ready and rarin’, Friday Harbor shut down all fall sports after Covid cases spiked in the San Juans.

Now, the Wolverines are back in action, and the two schools will link up, in some fashion, to play tennis against South Whidbey and its (mostly private school) rivals in the Emerald Sound League.

A schedule is still being worked out.

CROSS COUNTRY:

Coupeville, Orcas Island, and Mount Vernon Christian once again vie for NWL harrier supremacy, but this season schools also return to competing at invitationals.

The Wolves host one of three league meets, as well as the league championship races.

Sat-Sept. 11 — @ Sehome Invitational — (TBD)
Sat-Sept. 18 — @ Westling Invitational (South Whidbey) — (10:00)
Fri-Sept. 24 — HOME meet (Fort Casey) — (3:30) *
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ King’s Invite — (12:00)
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (3:30) *
Fri-Oct. 8 — @ Orcas Island — (TBD) *
Sat-Oct. 9 — @ Hole in the Wall (Lakewood) — (9:00)
Thur-Oct. 21 — Northwest 2B/1B League Championships (Fort Casey) — (3:30)

FOOTBALL:

Homecoming is back, with the Eastern Washington opponent traveling 142 miles to face off with CHS, while the Bucket Game against South Whidbey goes down in Langley.

Other non-conference games, featuring Klahowya and East Jefferson, are against familiar foes from Coupeville’s time in the Olympic League.

And what is an East Jefferson, you ask?

It’s the name being used by Port Townsend and Chimacum, which combined for all sports after both schools struggled to field teams due to declining student counts.

With Friday Harbor football back in action, Coupeville plays four league games — two each against the Wolverines and La Conner, the only other 2B schools in the NWL.

Currently, there are eight games on the schedule, but the Wolves continue to look for a week six opponent.

Sat-Aug. 28 — @ Sultan Jamboree — (11:00)
Fri-Sept. 3 — Klahowya — (5:00)
Fri-Sept. 10 — @ South Whidbey — (7:00) — BUCKET GAME
Fri-Sept. 17 — @ East Jefferson — (6:00)
Fri-Sept. 24 — La Conner — (7:00) *
Fri-Oct. 1 — @ Friday Harbor — (6:00) *
Fri-Oct. 8 — ?
Fri-Oct. 15 — @ La Conner — (7:00) *
Fri-Oct. 22 — Cascade Leavenworth — (7:00) — HOMECOMING
Fri-Oct. 29 — Friday Harbor — (6:00) * — SENIOR NIGHT

GIRLS SOCCER:

Last year, Mount Vernon Christian, La Conner, and Coupeville played this sport, and now Friday Harbor rejoins the battle.

Unlike other sports, where CHS plays two league games against other schools, here it will play three.

Non-conference games against former league rivals Sultan and Granite Falls, and a home-and-away series with East Jefferson round out the schedule.

Sat-Sept. 4 — @ Oak Harbor Jamboree — (TBD)
Thur-Sept. 16 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Sat-Sept. 18 — @ East Jefferson — (1:00)
Tues-Sept. 21 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Thur-Sept. 23 — Granite Falls — (6:00)
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Sept. 30 — @ La Conner — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Tues-Oct. 12 — Friday Harbor — (4:00) *
Thur-Oct. 14 — La Conner — (6:00) *
Sat-Oct. 16 — Sultan — (1:00)
Thur-Oct. 21 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00) *
Sat-Oct. 23 — East Jefferson — (11:00) — SENIOR NIGHT
Tues-Oct 26 — @ Friday Harbor (4:00) *

VOLLEYBALL:

With Friday Harbor’s return, the only fall sport where all seven NWL schools face off.

A couple of tournaments, and a home-and-away with arch-rival South Whidbey highlight a very-full schedule.

Sat-Sept. 4 — @ Oak Harbor Jamboree — (TBD)
Thur-Sept. 9 — @ Concrete — (4:30/6:00) *
Tues-Sept. 14 — Mount Vernon Christian — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Sept. 16 — Orcas Island — (3:30/5:00) *
Mon-Sept. 20 — Cedar Park Christian-Bothell — (4:30/6:00)
Tues-Sept. 21 — @ Darrington — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Sept. 23 — @ La Conner — (4:30/6:00) *
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ Sultan Tournament (Varsity) — (TBD)
Sat-Sept. 25 — @ Oak Harbor Tournament (JV) — (TBD)
Mon-Sept. 27 — South Whidbey — (4:30/6:00)
Tues-Sept. 28 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00/5:30) *
Tues-Oct. 5 — Concrete — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 7 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:30/6:00) *
Tues-Oct. 12 — @ Orcas Island — (TBA) *
Thur-Oct. 14 — Darrington — (4:30/6:00) *
Mon-Oct. 18 — @ South Whidbey — (5:15/7:00)
Tue-Oct. 19 — La Conner — (4:30/6:00) *
Thur-Oct. 21 — Friday Harbor — (3:30/5:00) * — SENIOR NIGHT
Sat-Oct. 23 — @ South Whidbey Tournament — (TBD)

Posted in Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis, Cross Country, Football, Girls Soccer, Volleyball | Tagged Boys Tennis, CHS Wolves, cross country, fall schedules, football, Soccer, volleyball | 2 Comments »

Three fall CHS sports open to 8th graders

August 16, 2021 by David Svien

Coupeville High School boys tennis coach Ken Stange needs players. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Step up and stand out.

Coupeville Middle School 8th graders can participate in high school sports a year early, as long as they’re interested in playing soccer or tennis this fall.

Along with other 2B or 1B schools, Coupeville High School is allowed to use 8th graders when there is a genuine need to help keep programs afloat.

Last school year, middle school students played high school girls basketball and boys soccer.

Four 8th graders — Lyla Stuurmans, Cael Wilson, Savina Wells, and Preston Epp — played on varsity teams, with another five seeing action for the Wolf JV girls hoops team.

This fall, three of six CHS programs are accepting 8th graders, with boys and girls soccer, and boys tennis all in need of extra players.

Volleyball and cross country expect to have sufficient numbers, so high school and middle school athletes will remain separate in those sports.

Football is the one fall sport where 8th graders are not eligible to play at the high school level, regardless of need.

The chance to play at the high school level as an 8th grader is an extra bonus for many Wolves, as the middle school does not have a girls soccer program, and does not offer tennis.

The first day of practice for CHS fall sports teams is Monday, August 23.

Posted in Boys Soccer, Boys Tennis, Girls Soccer | Tagged 8th grade, boys soccer, Boys Tennis, CHS Wolves, Girls Soccer | Leave a Comment »

9 for 9: They’re the best of the best

August 15, 2021 by David Svien

“We await the ruling down on the field. Who are the nine best Wolf athletes from 2012-2021?” (David Stern photo)

This blog turns nine years old August 15, and to mark the occasion, I’m picking what I view as the best nine Wolf athletes from each active CHS sport.

To be eligible, you had to play for the Wolves between Aug. 2012-Aug. 2021, AKA the “Coupeville Sports” years.

So here we go. Each day between Aug. 1-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.

And thus we arrive at the end of our little exercise.

Having selected the top nine players from each active sport at Coupeville High School, or at least the top nine from my blogging days, we land on the actual birthday of this here site.

With that, we pull back, cast an eye on all sports, and select the best nine athletes at CHS between 2012-2021, period.

This time it’s not just a battle but a full-on war, male and female athletes pitted against each other

Many enter the arena, but these nine are the ones to exit, forming our dream team.

And unlike the previous stories, where I listed athletes in alphabetic order, this time I’m going #9-#1.

Let the bodies hit the floor, and the arguments never end.

Valen Trujillo (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

#9 — Valen Trujillo

Record-setter in volleyball, top ace on the tennis court, but there’s a third sport which puts her over the top, pushing her just ahead of a pack of really strong contenders.

And it’s a sport she never played in high school.

One of my saddest days as a sportswriter was when Valen “retired” from basketball — where she was a wild woman who made two different King’s players cry during middle school games.

I understood her choice, but it doesn’t mean I can’t mourn what was lost.

Lathom Kelley

#8 — Lathom Kelley

Dude could do anything, and always with a daredevil smile on his face.

Ferocious on the football field, able to pick up and dominate any event in the world of track and field, and prone to doing flying backflips off of gym walls just to amuse bystanders.

Plus, he once came barreling down from the stands to fill in for missing parents during a basketball Senior Night, grabbing the lonely player in a bearhug while screaming, “My boy, you’ve made me so proud!!”

The Man.

Lindsey Roberts

#7 — Lindsey Roberts

A 12-time letter winner who never spent a second on JV in any of her three sports, she also has the most state track and field medals of any girl in Coupeville High School history.

Joined both mom Sherry Bonacci and dad Jon Roberts in being honored as a CHS Athlete of the Year, while being an impact player from the first day of middle school to her final track meet in high school.

One game to win, who do you call? Lou, that’s who.

Sean Toomey-Stout

#6 — Sean Toomey-Stout

Second most-talented twin in his family, a viral video star (for outracing a deer during a 95-yard touchdown run vs. King’s) who’s now on the U-Dub football roster.

Did everything on the football field, filled every stat box on the basketball court, and ran like a jaguar for the Wolf track and field team.

All while training like a madman, and being the guy who tried to sneak back on the field, while injured, so he could support his teammates in the final seconds of a game long before decided.

Maya Toomey-Stout

#5 — Maya Toomey-Stout

“The Gazelle,” because she flowed when she ran, on the track oval, on the basketball court, and on the softball field, where she stole base after base in little league.

All those purloined bags? Accomplished without ever garnering a throw from the catcher, as she would be camped on second before the catcher could spring from their crouch.

And we haven’t even discussed volleyball, where she would bound in the air, reach over her head to snag a wayward ball, then smash the life out of the orb before softly floating back to Earth.

Madeline Strasburg

#4 — Madeline Strasburg

The female version of Lathom Kelley, a young woman who could play any sport and be genuinely electrifying at it with little to no practice.

Soared on the volleyball court, the basketball court, and the softball field.

She was Maddie Big Time because she feared no rival, never seemed bothered by stress, and bopped through life to her own sweet tune.

Awesome in the extreme.

Josh Bayne

#3 — Josh Bayne

The best 1A football player in the state as a senior, no matter what big-city voters might have thought, mixing barn-burner speed with deft hands, and the ability to destroy souls every time he slammed into a rival player.

On the baseball field, he had power, speed, and rock star charisma.

The only thing which keeps him at #3? He chose to not play basketball, allowing the three-sport star ahead of him to slip past by the narrowest of margins.

Hunter Smith

#2 — Hunter Smith

Record setter in football — on both sides of the ball — one of the best scorers in CHS basketball history, and arguably the top Wolf baseball player since Bob Rea was striking out 27 batters in a single game decades ago.

Through it all, the two-time CHS Athlete of the year remained one of the most humble teenagers I’ve ever met, more concerned with making sure his teammates and siblings got their proper due than worrying about his own PR.

Class with a capitol C.

Makana Stone

#1 — Makana Stone

The best, male or female, I have written about, not just in the blog years, but going all the way back to my first story in the Whidbey News-Times in 1990.

As an athlete, and a person.

It’s not just what she accomplished as a soccer, basketball, and track star, in high school and college, but of how high the numbers could have gone if she didn’t care so much about her teammates.

She fought for her own success, and it means a great deal to her, but Kana’s smile is the biggest when those around her prosper and get their fair share of the limelight.

The athlete every young Wolf, boy or girl, should emulate.

Posted in awards | Tagged 9 for 9, CHS Wolves, Hunter Smith, Madeline Strasburg, Makana Stone | Leave a Comment »

9 for 9: Track titans tower

August 14, 2021 by David Svien

Jacob Smith hits warp speed. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

This blog turns nine years old August 15, and to mark the occasion, I’m picking what I view as the best nine Wolf athletes from each active CHS sport.

To be eligible, you had to play for the Wolves between Aug. 2012-Aug. 2021, AKA the “Coupeville Sports” years.

So here we go. Each day between Aug. 1-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.

We’re getting twice the picks on this one.

I went back and forth on track and field, debating between picking the best nine girls and the best nine boys, or squishing everyone together and picking the best nine overall.

In the end, I decided 18 fit better than nine, since boys and girls don’t go head to head in high school meets.

Other sports, from basketball to soccer, got 18 picks — just with different stories, one for girls and one for boys.

And, anyway, tomorrow’s big finale, when I choose the best nine athletes, regardless of sport, will pit male vs. female with just nine picks standing at the end.

But today, you get 18.

Maya Toomey-Stout (left) and Mallory Kortuem celebrate at the state meet in Cheney. (Konni Smith photo)

GIRLS:

Lauren Bayne — Qualified for state in both the javelin and the high jump. Competed in 11 events across four seasons. Her best javelin throw (109 feet, two inches) was almost 10 feet better than the second-best throw by a Wolf girl during the blog era.

Lauren Grove — Qualified for state seven times — three times each in the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200, and once in the 200 — winning four medals. Key part of record-busting relay units.

Sylvia Hurlburt — Qualified for state six times, claiming four medals. Strong sprinter who was a major part of relay teams which shattered school records during her time at CHS.

Mallory Kortuem — Four state meet medals, highlighted by a 2nd in the 400 as a junior. Holds school records in four events (400, pole vault, 4 x 100, 4 x 200). Denied a senior season by the pandemic, but now running for Western Washington University.

Lindsey Roberts — Won eight state meet medals, most of any girl in CHS history. Holds a share of three school records (100 hurdles, 4 x 100, 4 x 200).

Emma Smith — Arguably the most-successful Wolf female thrower of the blog era, she qualified for state in both the discus and shot put. Her best heave in the shot put — 34-05 — was 28 inches shy of tying a school record which has stood since 1990.

Makana Stone — Her seven state meet medals are second-best by a Wolf girl, fourth-best in school history. Qualified for state nine times. Holds school records in the 200 and 4 x 400. As a freshman, won her first 28 events, best start in school history by an individual athlete. That streak covered the 100 (six races), 200 (five), 400 (four), 4 x 100 (three), 4 x 200 (five), and 4 x 400 (five). Won 84 races in four seasons.

Madison Tisa McPhee — Holds school record in the 300 hurdles, and owns three state meet medals. A superb relay runner who was key to several teams which set school records during her time at CHS.

Maya Toomey-Stout — Holds a share of four school records (100, long jump, 4 x 100, 4 x 200) and claimed three state meet medals. Qualified for state 10 times across three seasons — advancing in five different events. Only Wolf girl to qualify for state in four events in one year, and did it twice. Denied a senior season by the pandemic.

A young Danny Conlisk, who would go on to win two state titles as a senior, takes the baton. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

BOYS:

Mitchell Carroll — Holds school record in the triple jump, and finished 5th at state in the event.

Danny Conlisk — Two-time state champ (200, 400) as a senior, the first Wolf to claim a title in a decade. Holds school records in 100, 200, and 400, and has six state meet medals, tied for third-best by a CHS boy.

Jordan Ford — Owns school record in the pole vault, and finished 8th at state in the event.

Lathom Kelley — Injuries prevented him from qualifying for state, but remains one of the most electrifying athletes to ever compete for CHS. Competed in 14 different events during his four years.

Jean Lund-Olsen — Qualified for state in three events across two seasons, winning a medal all three times. Denied a senior season by the pandemic.

Dalton Martin — Only Wolf thrower to win three medals at the same state track meet, finishing 2nd in the discus and 8th in both the shot put and javelin. Holds school record in the discus.

Jacob Smith — Has six state meet medals, tying him with Conlisk for third-most by a Wolf boy. Two of those medals were for 2nd place finishes.

Nick Streubel — Second-best male thrower of the blog days, he qualified for districts multiple times in both the shot put and discus.

Sean Toomey-Stout — Qualified five times for state across two seasons, claiming two medals. Denied a senior season by the pandemic.

Lauren Bayne soars. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Up next: We wrap things up with the best overall athletes of the past nine years.

Posted in Track | Tagged 9 for 9, CHS Wolves, Jacob Smith, Maya Toomey-Stout, track and field | Leave a Comment »

9 for 9: Pitch power on display

August 13, 2021 by David Svien

Jenn Spark had the mightiest leg in Wolf Nation. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

This blog turns nine years old August 15, and to mark the occasion, I’m picking what I view as the best nine Wolf athletes from each active CHS sport.

To be eligible, you had to play for the Wolves between Aug. 2012-Aug. 2021, AKA the “Coupeville Sports” years.

So here we go. Each day between Aug. 1-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.

And there’s no goalie on my team…

Which is fine, because as much as I wanted to find a spot for Julie Myers or another netminder, the team of former Wolf booters I ended up with can score at such a prodigious rate, we might not need anyone in net.

Like with a lot of sports during this whole “9 for 9” thing, there’s an easily-named second squad out there full of talented young women, but (often brutal) cuts had to be made.

It’s why they pay me the big bucks.

What? I’m not getting paid at all, you say????

Oh well, these nine queens of the pitch still deserve all the praise they get.

Micky LeVine rumbles in the open field.

Amanda d’Almeida — Athletically-gifted from day one, but became a team leader and star by outworking everyone else. If you watched just her when she was in action on the pitch, you would never know if her team was ahead or trailing, as she played with the same intensity and passion in every moment.

Mallory Kortuem — State track champ speed, and tough as they come. She moved all over the field and dominated play whether she was in the backfield or allowed to run free on the attack. Never tooted her own horn, yet every thing about how she played, and the way she carried herself — calm, composed, confident — screamed superstar.

Micky LeVine — They called her “Two Fists.” Well, I did, so almost the same thing. A scrapper who could get you goals, but also a compact-sized enforcer who would brawl down in the trenches if you ever tried to mess with one of her teammates.

Kalia Littlejohn — The smoothest of silky-smooth supernovas, she was electric on the pitch. Had the razzle and the dazzle, and could flat-out embarrass any defenders dumb enough to think they could corral her when she was locked on the net.

Mia Littlejohn — A machine. Holds the program record for career goals, but actually spent the first part of her run in a Wolf uniform as a skilled set-up player, dishing assists left and right with quick, beautifully-aimed passes which split defenders like a knife slashing through melted butter.

Avalon Renninger — Arguably the most-underrated player on this list. Finished as the #5 scorer in program history, and got most of her goals by being in the right place at the right time, or working her tail off to win 50/50 balls. And yet she was happiest when celebrating her teammates goals. A perfect role model for young players.

Lindsey Roberts — Second-biggest leg of the last decade, trailing just the next young woman (and even then, only by a smidge). Could wreck folks while playing defense, or could batter the back of the net when she let fly with lasers while on the attack. Heck, if they had put her at goalie, the athletically-gifted Lou probably would have been all-world there as well.

Jenn Spark — The leg. Even when she was injured, even when she had to wear a bulky brace, she could smush the very life out of a soccer ball like no other Wolf before or after her. Launching rockets from midfield — including a couple which splashed home for scores — she kept rival teams on their heels at every moment.

Genna Wright — The #3 scorer in program history, and that’s even with a lost season to injury, and a cut-down senior year thanks to the pandemic. Opened her career as an explosive scorer who would run foes into the ground, closed as a wily vet — all done with grace, style, and class.