Coupeville Sports

Fall sports make their return

March 26, 2021 by David Svien

Maddie Vondrak and the CHS spikers return to the court. (Brian Vick photo)

Wolf senior Drake Borden is back to chase down a few more tennis balls. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Everything’s a bit topsy-turvy.

As sports return from a pandemic shutdown, things are being played out of order this school year, with fall sports following on the heels of spring sports, with winter sports going last.

Also, the schedules are pared down, with games against only conference foes from the Northwest 2B/1B League.

With Coupeville High School moving from 1A to 2B, there’s also another new wrinkle to scheduling, as boys soccer bounces from spring to fall, now being played in the same season as girls soccer.

In addition, the male booters have a somewhat different set of opponents from other Coupeville teams.

While they face Friday Harbor, Orcas Island, La Conner, and Mount Vernon Christian, both Concrete and Darrington don’t play boys soccer.

They are replaced, for this sport only, by Grace Academy, Providence Classical Christian, and Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood).

While a sister school, that CPC is not the same one which Coupeville played as a member of the 1A North Sound Conference. That former foe springs from Bothell.

Then there’s tennis, which draws only a single opponent — Friday Harbor — across a six-match death rumble.

The Wolverines join the Wolves as the only NWL teams to embrace the art of the drop shot, and, as mentioned above, there are no non-conference matches to supplement the schedule this time around.

And what of ye olde annual tradition of hosting a Homecoming football game, you ask?

With no dance, limited fan attendance at games, and only two home football games (out of four total), probably best to plan for that returning (hopefully) in fall 2021.

Coaching wise, Ken Stange (boys tennis), Kyle Nelson (girls soccer), Marcus Carr (football), and Cory Whitmore (volleyball) are back.

They’re joined by Robert Wood (boys soccer) and Elizabeth Bitting (cross country), both making their debuts in new coaching positions.

The schedules for this COVID-impacted first season back:

BOYS SOCCER:

Wed-Apr. 7 — Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Sat-Apr. 10 — Mount Vernon Christian (1:00)
Tues-Apr. 13 — @ Orcas Island — (4:00)
Fri-Apr. 16 — Cedar Park Christian (Lynnwood) — (6:00)
Wed-Apr. 21 — @ Grace Academy — (3:30)
Sat-Apr. 24 — @ Friday Harbor — (12:30)
Tues-Apr. 27 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00)
Thur-Apr. 29 — Providence Classical Christian — (6:00)
Mon-May 3 — Orcas Island — (4:00)
Wed-May 5 — @ La Conner — (7:00)

BOYS TENNIS:

Wed-Apr. 7 — Friday Harbor — (3:30)
Wed-Apr. 14 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Wed-Apr. 21 — Friday Harbor — (3:30)
Wed-Apr. 28 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Mon-May 3 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Thur-May 6 — Friday Harbor — (3:30)

CROSS COUNTRY:

Thur-Apr. 15 — HOME — (3:30)
Fri-Apr. 23 — @ Orcas Island — (3:00)
Fri-Apr. 30 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00)
Thur-May 6 — HOME — (3:30)

FOOTBALL:

Fri-Apr. 9 — Friday Harbor — (5:00)
Fri-Apr. 23 — @ Friday Harbor — (6:00)
Fri-Apr. 30 — @ La Conner — (7:00)
Sat-May 8 — Concrete — (7:00)

GIRLS SOCCER:

Fri-Apr. 9 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Wed-Apr. 14 — La Conner — (6:00)
Sat-Apr. 17 — Mount Vernon Christian — (1:00)
Tues-Apr. 20 — Friday Harbor — (4:00)
Fri-Apr. 23 — @ La Conner — (6:00)
Wed-Apr. 28 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (4:00)
Sat-May 1 — @ Friday Harbor — (12:30)
Tues-May 4 — La Conner — (6:00)
Fri-May 7 — Mount Vernon Christian (6:00)

VOLLEYBALL:
**JV plays first in CMS gym, varsity second in CHS gym**

Thur-Apr. 8 — @ Concrete — (5:00/6:30)
Sat-Apr. 10 — Friday Harbor — (3:30/5:00)
Tues-Apr. 13 — La Conner — (5:00/6:30)
Thur-Apr. 15 — @ Darrington — (5:00/6:30)
Sat-Apr. 17 — Mount Vernon Christian — (5:00/6:30)
Fri-Apr. 23 — @ Orcas Island — (4:00/5:30)
Sat-Apr. 24 — @ Friday Harbor — (4:00/5:30)
Tues-Apr. 27 — Concrete — (5:00/6:30)
Thur-Apr. 29 — @ La Conner — (5:00/6:30)
Sat-May 1 — Darrington — (5:00/6:30)
Tues-May 4 — @ Mount Vernon Christian — (5:00/6:30)
Sat-May 8 — Orcas Island — (3:30/5:00)

Posted in schedules | Tagged Boys Tennis, CHS Wolves, cross country, football, Soccer, volleyball | Leave a Comment »

Veteran Wolves chase soccer history

March 26, 2021 by David Svien

Carolyn Lhamon pushes the ball upfield in pre-pandemic times. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

New league, new dreams.

With the pandemic, it’s been a bit since the Coupeville High School girls soccer team has competed together as a unit.

That would be fall of 2019, and a lot has changed since then.

CHS moved from 1A to 2B, joined the Northwest 2B/1B League, and top scorer Genna Wright has recovered from a devastating leg injury which erased 98.2% of her junior season.

Now, Wright is back to torch nets again, the Wolves are on what should be a more level playing field, and coach Kyle Nelson is only leading one Coupeville soccer program.

The move to 2B brings boys soccer into the same season as girls soccer — technically the fall, but being played this school year from April to May — with the pitch guru opting to step down as boys coach.

While former assistant Robert Wood takes the reigns of that program, Nelson is ready to bound back into action with the Wolf girls as they head into new waters.

“I am thrilled to have left some of those 1A schools behind,” he said. “In soccer we were facing schools that were sending off some of their seniors to go play at Division I schools, not something we were ever able to compete with.

“Now, each school is on a fairly even playing field.”

In this pandemic-shortened season Coupeville will face NWL mates Friday Harbor, La Conner, and Mount Vernon Christian three times each, with five of nine games at home.

“From our past experience with these schools, all the games we have played against them have usually been good contests where either team could have been the winner,” Nelson said. “Looking forward to going into all of our games knowing that we could win that game.

“Friday Harbor and Mount Vernon Christian could both be strong,” he added. “But, since it has been a year and a half since any of us have played, it really could be anyone.”

And there’s no reason to think these Wolf booters can’t be the first CHS soccer team to capture a conference crown.

“Our first goal is not any different than any other year, and that is to have some fun,” Nelson said. “Since there will be no playoffs, a league title will be our team goal.”

Sophie Martin shows off some wicked skills.

Leading the pursuit of that goal will be a group of players with years of experience on the pitch.

Nelson’s three captains are seniors Mollie Bailey and Genna Wright, along with junior Mary Milnes.

Bailey anchors the Wolf defense in goal, with Milnes and sophomore Nezi Keiper holding down the back line.

Midfielders Sophie Martin, a junior, and super sophomore Carolyn Lhamon will be joined by Wright and junior Eryn Wood, who lead the Coupeville attack.

Martin rattled home four goals in 2019, while Wright enters play this season tied for third-place all-time on the CHS girls scoring chart.

With 10 goals as a freshman and another seven as a sophomore, she sits with 17 goals, the same figure thrown down by former Wolf star Lindsey Roberts.

Wright is chasing Mia (35 goals) and Kalia Littlejohn (33 goals) for the career record.

While he has a strong core of returning players to lean on, Nelson also looks forward to seeing which other Wolves accept the challenge and rise to prominence.

“I am sure we will have some athletes that will be stepping up for us to cover key positions, but at this point I am not sure I can identify them,” he said.

“It has been awhile since we have really had a full team out there playing, and it will be fun to see who is ready to take it to the next level.”

However the roster spots break down, Nelson is ready to roll.

“We bring back quite a bit of experience all over the field,” he said. “We just need to bring the pieces together to form a cohesive unit.

“This could prove to be tricky in such a short season, but we will give it our best effort.”

Mollie Bailey clears the goal.

Posted in Girls Soccer | Tagged CHS Wolves, Fall Sports Preview, Genna Wright, Girls Soccer, Nezi Keiper, Northwest League | Leave a Comment »

Once a Wolf, forever a Marine

March 25, 2021 by David Svien

Coupeville grad Jonathan Partida is now a member of the United States Marine Corps. (Photo courtesy Michelle Cernick)

Partida and younger brother Kevin were part of the first CHS football team to post a winning record since 2005. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The Few … The Proud … The Wolves.

Coupeville High School alumni Jonathan Partida has made the jump from one pack to another, graduating from Marine Corps boot camp in San Diego.

The 2020 CHS grad, who played multiple sports during his time at the school, now goes into infantry training.

During his time as a Wolf, Partida was part of a unique class which lost many of the traditional senior class events, as the country went through the beginning of the pandemic.

Before COVID seeped into everyday life, he was part of the first CHS football team to post a winning record since 2005.

A receiver and defensive back, Jonathan was joined on the team by younger brother Kevin.

News of Partida’s rise as a Marine has brought joy to family and friends.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him if it was my own son,” said Coupeville Middle School soccer coach Reese Cernick.

His wife, Michelle, couldn’t agree more.

“Jonathan and (my son) Chris were best friends and Jonathan is like an adopted son to us,” she said.

“We love him and are so grateful to have him in our life.”

Posted in military | Tagged boot camp, CHS Wolves, football, Jonathan Partida, Marine Corps | Leave a Comment »

Wolves strong to the finish

March 25, 2021 by David Svien

Reiley Araceley, seen here in pre-COVID times, set two individual PR’s Thursday, while also running a leg for a victorious 4 x 100 relay squad. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Some solid throws, some zippy runs.

The Coupeville High School track and field squad put in a strong day of work Thursday in Mount Vernon, capturing four titles and setting 32 PR’s at an eight-team meet.

Leading the way for the Wolves were Logan Martin, who claimed top honors in the shot put and discus, Aidan Wilson, who ran away with the 800 crown, and the boys 4 x 100 relay squad.

That unit, made up of Sam Wynn, Reiley Araceley, Dominic Coffman, and Wilson, out-leaned La Conner to capture the title.

Coupeville also notched four second-place finishes, with Catherine Lhamon (1600), Ryanne Knoblich (high jump), the boys 4 x 400 relay team, and Coffman (high jump) pushing the top finishers.

Track powerhouse Mount Vernon Christian defended its home turf, sitting atop the leaderboard in both the boys and girls team standings, while the Wolf squads finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

CHS has two meets left in this pandemic-shortened season, with a trip to La Conner Wednesday, March 31, followed by the Northwest 2B/1B League Championships.

That finale, set for April 3, will be in Coupeville.

Complete Thursday results:

GIRLS:

100 — Ryanne Knoblich (10th) 15.19 *PR*; Ava Mitten (12th) 15.32 *PR*; Abigail Ramirez (13th) 16.13 *PR*; Maylin Steele (14th) 16.70 *PR*; Camryn Clark (17th) 18.34 *PR*

200 — Ja’Kenya Hoskins (4th) 29.46; Ramirez (18th) 34.29 *PR*; Steele (19th) 35.47 *PR*; Clark (22nd) 38.03 *PR*

400 — Knoblich (4th) 1:13.05 *PR*

1600 — Catherine Lhamon (2nd) 6:19.34

300 Hurdles — Cristina McGrath (5th) 1:06.39

4 x 100 Relay — Mitten, Ramirez, Hoskins, Carolyn Lhamon (4th) 58.88

4 x 200 Relay — Mitten, Car. Lhamon, C. McGrath, Hoskins (4th) 2:09.45

Shot Put — Car. Lhamon (3rd) 26-06

Discus — Aurora Cernick (5th) 67-11; Erica McGrath (8th) 55-03.50 *PR*

Javelin — Cernick (7th) 62-07; E. McGrath (12th) 50-06 *PR*

High Jump — Knoblich (2nd) 4-10

Long Jump — C. McGrath (15th) 10-07 *PR*

BOYS:

100 — Sam Wynn (3rd) 12.02 *PR*; Dominic Coffman (6th) 12.42 *PR*; Reiley Araceley (8th) 12.74 *PR*; Dakota Eck (14th) 13.31 *PR*

200 — Mikey Robinett (12th) 29.40 *PR*

400 — Robinett (8th) 1:09.00 *PR*

800 — Aidan Wilson (1st) 2:13.14 *PR*; Hank Milnes (6th) 2:39.46 *PR*

1600 — Mitchell Hall (4th) 5:04.41 *PR*; Milnes (8th) 5:59.75 *PR*; Tate Wyman (10th) 6:13.51 *PR*

300 Hurdles — Wyman (5th) 58.94 *PR*

4 x 100 Relay — Wynn, Araceley, Coffman, Wilson (1st) 48.35

4 x 400 Relay — Wynn, Hall, Araceley, Wilson (2nd) 3:59.04

Shot Put — Logan Martin (1st) 41-03; Eck (7th) 29-07.50; Josh Guay (10th) 17-11 *PR*

Discus — Martin (1st) 153-10 *PR*; Robinett (9th) 71-02 *PR*; Guay (14th) 45-11 *PR*

Javelin — Martin (4th) 109-10.50 *PR*; Eck (7th) 85-04.50 *PR*; Hall (8th) 83-01.50

High Jump — Coffman (2nd) 5-06 *PR*

Long Jump — Araceley (6th) 14-09.50 *PR*; Eck (13th) 14-01; Milnes (15th) 13-09 *PR*; Robinett (16th) 13-01

Posted in Track | Tagged Carolyn Lhamon, CHS Wolves, Northwest League, Sam Wynn, track and field | Leave a Comment »

Run today, run tomorrow

March 25, 2021 by David Svien

Gabriella Gebhard leads off a collection of Coupeville Middle School cross country pics. (Photos by Jackie Saia and Teagan Calkins)

They’re still running.

While Coupeville Middle School students aren’t competing against other schools during this pandemic-shortened athletic year, they’re still getting a chance to stay active.

CMS Athletic Director Willie Smith, in tandem with his coaches, has arranged for intramural activities, keeping the Wolves in stride.

Cross country has a booming program, pandemic or not, and coach Elizabeth Bitting is putting on a four-race campaign.

Race #3 went down Thursday, and photo bugs Jackie Saia and Teagan Calkins were on hand to capture pics for us.

The portraits are by mom, the action shots by Teagan, a very-talented athlete in her own right.