Coupeville Sports

9 for 9: Softball sluggers soar

August 7, 2021 by David Svien

It’s (Hailey) Hammer Time. (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.

The hits never stop coming.

Softball is one of the most-successful sports at Coupeville High School, and the Wolves have been especially good the last several seasons.

Which means I could form a second all-star team from the girls who were the last ones sliced from this list, go out, and beat pretty much everyone in sight.

But at this exact moment in time, before I waver again, here’s my mythical nine — a lineup of booming bats and electric arms, all owned by some of the most intensely-competitive young women to ever wear a CHS jersey.

Mikayla Elfrank denies you. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

McKayla Bailey — She pitched until her arm fell off, carrying her squad to state in a season in which she threw every single pitch. That she also owned a wicked-hot bat, was brilliant in the classroom, and is the undisputed queen of photo bombs? Even better.

Veronica Crownover — All-Conference as a freshman, led her team to state as a senior. Mashed the ball like few others, clearing fences in multiple ballparks, while also showing a remarkably nimble touch on defense while holding down first base.

Mikayla Elfrank — When she was on fire, she was truly eye-popping. Bounced a home run off carnival rides in Sequim, denting the equipment, and her throws from the hole at short remain, arguably, the hardest ever thrown on the CHS diamond.

Hailey Hammer — A legend. Feared by every pitcher she faced, and loved by her coaches, the 12-time letter-winner wrote the perfect final chapter, lashing a game-winning hit into the fading sunlight in her final at-bat on the prairie.

Katrina McGranahan — She was a captain from her freshman season, a pitcher who carried her team on her back, and a hitter who raked. Add in speed, smarts, and a fiery intensity carefully hidden beneath a calm exterior, and she could, and would, beat you in 1,001 different ways.

Chelsea Prescott — The chosen one. She played softball like a baseball player — a testament to her little league days, when she played with the boys — achieving individual greatness while fueling team success. State as a sophomore, then a 12-0 run as a senior. Covid stole her junior year, but never dimmed her star.

Lauren Rose — Off the field, one of the kindest people in the world. On the field, a killer who once jumped out of a moving car, grabbed her bat, and without a moment of warm-up, tore up to the plate and immediately belted a line-drive hit.

Bessie Walstad — Rock-solid doesn’t even begin to describe this three-sport star, whose mixture of talent, leadership, and calm composure under fire will be long remembered. Brothers Tim and Joel are strong athletes, but, with respect, Bessie is the sun their planets revolve around.

Sarah Wright — Brash, loud, and fun, a fast-talkin’, softball-crunchin’ supernova who could talk the talk, but always walked the walk to back it up. Whether crashing head-first into the bag to beat a throw, threatening to eat worms, chasing seagulls around the parking lot at the state tourney, or gunning down hapless would-be base-stealers, the most entertaining force of nature to ever sweep across the prairie.

When she was on the field, few were as talented as Bessie Walstad. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Up next: We’re off to the hardwood to hail the best male hoops stars.

Posted in Softball | Tagged 9 for 9, CHS Wolves, Hailey Hammer, Sarah Wright, Softball | Leave a Comment »

School board candidate an honor thief?

August 6, 2021 by David Svien

Paul Rempa

A candidate for the Coupeville School Board falsely claims on his personal Facebook page to be a firefighter for Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue.

Paul Rempa, who is running against Nancy Conard for Position 2, lists the claim under “details about Paul.”

This false claim has remained on his Facebook page since at least 2019, when he was publicly questioned about it.

A screenshot from early this afternoon shows Rempa still claiming first responder status he doesn’t deserve.

Paul Rempa’s personal Facebook page — Aug. 6, 2021, 12:32 PM.

Command at Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue, when asked in 2019, stated Rempa had not been a volunteer for many years by that point.

Rempa, a first-time school board candidate in Coupeville, is currently a Precinct Committee Officer and Precinct Captain for the Island County Republicans.

Photo from IslandCountygop.com.

In the past, Rempa was a volunteer with South Whidbey Fire/EMS, and served in the Coast Guard, though neither of those valid first responder jobs are noted on his Facebook page.

Instead, the job and status which is not his to claim remains the position which has sat prominently, for years, on his social media.

Rempa did not respond to an interview request.

Posted in school board | Tagged candidate, Central Whidbey Fire, Coupeville School Board, honor thief, Paul Rempa | 8 Comments »

9 for 9: Pitch fever rages

August 6, 2021 by David Svien

Ethan Spark battles for a ball. (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.

Soccer is my nemesis. Kinda.

Of all the sports played by Coupeville athletes, it’s the one where I have the least intricate knowledge.

I’m still struggling to fully comprehend the ever-changing offside rule, and don’t get me started on settling for ties and a clock which doesn’t really allow viewers to know how much time is left to play.

That said, even a soccer idiot such as myself can recognize greatness — most times — and I’m confident these nine Wolves are the guys I want on the field.

What? Soccer plays with 11?

Yeah, still sticking with nine. It’s kind of the whole theme of this thing…

Look! Up in the sky!! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Zane Bundy!!!

Zane Bundy — One of the kids who grew up while hanging out in the video game section of Videoville, a goal-scoring prodigy who lived for the game, and loved every minute he was on the field.

Sean Donley — The glue which held his team together, a captain whose mere presence on the field brought an extra spark to the Wolf attack.

Nathan Lamb — Much like the guy right ahead of him in this alphabetic list, a guy whose true value sprang from all the intangibles he brought to the pitch. Smooth, consistent, a steady leader to rally around when things got turbulent.

Abraham Leyva — The program’s all-time scoring champ, he rattled the nets for 45 goals in three seasons, and did it all with such style.

Aram Leyva — More of a brawler than his big bro (Abraham) and their cousin (Derek), but that just added to his value. A powerful goal-scoring leg mixed with a take-no-crap attitude? Yes, please.

Derek Leyva — The most-talented soccer player to ever pull on a Wolf uniform, he could do things with his feet others only dreamed about. One of the most-electrifying athletes, in any sport, to play for CHS … ever.

William Nelson — So effortless, at times you had to look twice to get the full impact of all he accomplished. He could score, he could pass, he could (subtly) kick his teammates in the rear — whatever was needed.

Ethan Spark — Fiery, feisty, and owner of a powerhouse of a leg (just like big sis Jenn), he’s the #5 scorer in program history, and only injuries prevented him from climbing higher.

Aaron Wright — The unsung warrior, a hard-working, defense-first rampager who brought a football body to the soccer pitch and cleared a path for his teammates.

Aaron Wright abides.

Up next: We’re off to the softball diamond.

Posted in Boys Soccer | Tagged 9 for 9, Abraham Leyva, boys soccer, CHS Wolves, William Nelson | Leave a Comment »

Buy a book, inspire a student

August 5, 2021 by David Svien

“Books! We’re getting books!!” (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

You can fuel book love.

Make a donation of $5 or more to a fundraiser being run by Coupeville Elementary teacher Christi Messner, and the money will go to make sure all of her students have a new book to take home each month during the coming school year.

“Scholastic is an amazing company that provides low cost books to students and teachers,” Messner said. “Sadly, times are changing and many families cannot afford to purchase these books to have at home.

“Print rich environments aren’t the norm at many homes anymore,” she added. “How amazing would it be if ALL of my students could receive one free book every month?!”

Deeply-committed teachers like Messner, whose own daughter Katie will be a freshman at CHS this fall, continue the work embraced by my mother, who worked as a children’s librarian when I was younger.

The book you buy today may fuel the birth of the teacher or librarian of tomorrow.

Or if not, your donation will still provide a ray of sunshine in the life of Coupeville’s youngest superstars.

“We would love to pass on the love of reading and provide books for them to have at home,” Messner said. “Being a teacher, the greatest joy is watching students fall in love with books.”

For more info and to donate, pop over to:

https://shop.scholastic.com/viewCampaign?campaignId=7ef2c0b1-8aea-40bf-9575-c3c38903b24f&fbclid=IwAR0Z9aewBkfNQoDDgxzs-lXCh7fOH1l-95kBWgJBRn-vjbNNEeVL2XBzCH0

You can also donate through:

PayPal — allofuswhidbey.net

Venmo — @Christi-Messner

Posted in Not sports? Tough! | Tagged books, Christi Messner, Coupeville Elementary School, fundraiser, Scholastic | Leave a Comment »

9 for 9: Cheer loud ‘n proud

August 5, 2021 by David Svien

Maddy Neitzel, a high-flying Wolf cheer hero. (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. 2-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.

Cheer is a sport.

So, now that we’ve ended that discussion, who are the best nine athletes to wear the uniform during my blogging years?

That’s a really tough one, as how do you grade a sport where, most times at least, no one is scoring points?

I guess, in the end, you (with you being me) flip a coin and pick those young women who stood out for being truly loud ‘n proud, the ones whose work on the sidelines lingers the longest in the memory.

You could make a case for a lot of Wolves who aren’t on this list, but in this brief moment, here’s nine who I think could bring as much spirit as need be, regardless if Coupeville was ahead or behind.

Mica Shipley, forever chasin’ that cheer life, from little girl to college superstar.

Nicole Becker — My former co-worker at Christopher’s, a bright, personable ball o’ fire who devotes countless hours to working with Special Olympics athletes in honor of her sister.

Kiara Burdge — The first freshman cheerleader ever awarded the Wolf award, and a team leader from day one.

Kylie Burdge — Big sis could light up a stadium like few others, a brilliant young woman who soared in the classroom and on the field.

Emilee Crichton — My next-door neighbor for many years, as bright and personable as anyone you’re likely to meet.

Sylvia Hurlburt — She was born to be a star, and never let her fervent fan club down. Always front and center. Always.

Breeanna Messner — A four-sport sensation, she played volleyball and cheered during the same season, and was awesome at both.

McKenzie Meyer — So much energy and excitement crackling through every atom in her body, plus she’s a true-blue Videoville alum, which gets her extra props.

Maddy Neitzel — She touched the heavens as a flier, and brought grace and style to her sideline work, a perennially-positive cheerleader if there ever was.

Mica Shipley — A high flyer who led CHS cheer back to competition (and a 3rd place finish at state). Now she’s an NCAA D-1 cheerleader, possibly a first for Wolf alums.