Coupeville Sports

They run this joint

March 19, 2021 by David Svien

Coupeville’s softball bats have thumped a merry tune this season, with the Wolves outscoring foes 42-13. (Jackie Saia photo)

The path to a league title comes through Coupeville.

Winning at home, winning on the road, winning blowouts and close games, the Wolf softball sluggers are shaking up their new home.

After thunking host Friday Harbor 8-3 on a blustery afternoon Friday, CHS is a spotless 5-0 in its first season back in the Northwest 2B/1B League.

The Wolves have the most-imposing pitcher in the conference in flame-throwing junior Izzy Wells, big bats, and slick defenders.

While there are still nine games left in this pandemic-shortened season — if La Conner is able to return from a COVID-related hiatus — Coupeville is setting the pace, and doing it with conviction.

Kevin McGranahan’s squad, which hosts Concrete (0-2) at 1 PM Saturday, has outscored its foes 42-13.

Facing off with the defending league champs on their home turf Friday, the Wolves handed Friday Harbor its third loss, all of which have come in games against Coupeville.

This time around, the CHS sluggers survived the struggles of island-hopping, their arrival delayed by bus reservation issues which forced both them and Coupeville’s baseball squad to walk on the ferry at the last second.

Once on Friday Harbor the Wolves came out swinging hot, with senior catcher Mollie Bailey having herself an afternoon.

She reached base four times in five trips to the plate, bashing three doubles and racking up five RBI.

Bailey wasn’t the only one cranking out the hits, as Chelsea Prescott scorched a single and double, and Audrianna Shaw pasted a two-bagger of her own.

Kylie Van Velkinburgh and Jill Prince added singles, Wells (3) and Gwen Gustafson (2) combined for five walks, and Bella Whalen picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice.

Coupeville got on the board in the first inning, with Prescott doubling home Shaw, who led off the game with a walk, before Whalen sent Prescott scooting for home.

After that Bailey brought out the big lumber, connecting on two-run doubles in the second and fourth, before topping things with an old-fashioned RBI double in the seventh.

In between, Coupeville put up a run in the third thanks to a walk from Coral Caveness, a single from Van Velkinburgh, and some smart base-running.

While her offense was clicking, Wells was making Bailey’s mitt pop, peppering Friday Harbor for eight strikeouts while scattering just three hits.

As he contemplated a long trip home, McGranahan marinated in the win. At least for the moment.

“Izzy pitched her normal game and we hit the ball hard all day,” he said. “We have some stuff to work on, but all in all, we are playing good ball and will only get better.”

Posted in Softball | Tagged CHS Wolves, Friday Harbor, Northwest League, road game, Softball, undefeated | Leave a Comment »

Frustration in Friday Harbor

March 19, 2021 by David Svien

Hawthorne Wolfe socked a double, one of Coupeville’s four hits Friday afternoon. (Morgan White photo)

They’re still the gold standard.

Friday Harbor High School is the big dog of Northwest 2B/1B League baseball, a point driven home by the Wolverines ten-running visiting Coupeville Friday afternoon.

Scoring in every inning, with nearly half their runs coming with two outs, the hosts waxed the Wolves 11-1 in a game mercy-ruled in the fifth inning.

With the win, Friday Harbor improves to 4-0, while second-place Coupeville slips to 3-2, with both losses having come against the league leaders.

CHS will get right back at it, with a road doubleheader at Orcas Island next Tuesday, and it still has two more games scheduled against the Wolverines late in this pandemic-shortened season.

Playing on a gusty early-spring afternoon, with a few rain drops streaking the cameras Friday Harbor used to stream the contest, Coupeville didn’t look all that bad.

But Friday Harbor took advantage of every small miscue, while playing fairly-flawless defense behind solid pitching.

An RBI double into the gap and a long sac fly in the bottom of the first staked the Wolverines to an early 2-0 lead, and they steadily extended the margin.

Friday Harbor tacked on just a solitary run in the second, as Wolf hurler Cody Roberts escaped danger with a couple of big strikeouts, but a breakdown in the third was fatal.

With two on and two out, Roberts pumped a third strike past a flailing Wolverine slugger, but the wind caught the ball at the last second and sent it skittering far away from catcher Sage Sharp’s glove.

Given second life, Friday Harbor took advantage, plating three runners after the weather-related mishap and effectively busting the game open.

Coupeville snagged its lone run in the top of the fourth, thanks to Jonathan Valenzuela and Daniel Olson connecting on back-to-back base-knocks around a couple of steals from the former.

Friday Harbor’s announcing crew on the stream struggled mightily with Peyton Caveness and Hawthorne Wolfe’s names — calling the latter “Hank” at one point, but reserved their mightiest tongue twisting for Valenzuela.

Which is just sad.

He has the EXACT SAME LAST NAME as one of the most famous modern-era Major League Baseball players.

A man who played 17 years, went to six All-Star games, won a World Series, and is the only player to ever win Cy Young and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season.

You might have heard of him — Fernando Valenzuela was, and still is, a beloved legend in two countries.

And that last name ain’t that hard to pronounce.

Anyways, back on the blustery diamond, Friday Harbor escaped in the fourth thanks to a double play, before tacking on a solo run in their half of the inning, then four more in the fifth to end things.

Roberts and Olson, who came on in relief in the third, combined to fan five Wolverine hitters, while Wolfe, Xavier Murdy, Valenzuela, and Olson each had a hit for the CHS offense.

The big bop was a two-out double to left-center in the third from Wolfe, but unfortunately, Coupeville’s speedy leadoff hitter was left stranded.

Posted in Baseball | Tagged baseball, CHS Wolves, Fernando Valenzuela, Friday Harbor, Hawthorne Wolfe, Northwest League | Leave a Comment »

Wolves back on track with seven titles

March 19, 2021 by David Svien

Aidan Wilson, seen earlier in his running career, claimed three first-place finishes Thursday in Concrete. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

No rust.

There was a two-week gap between the first and second meets, but the Coupeville High School track and field team hasn’t lost a step.

Traveling to Concrete Thursday, the Wolves combined to claim seven first-place finishes at a Northwest 2B/1B League meet, including sweeping both of the boys relays.

Perennial state power Mount Vernon Christian claimed first in the team standings, sharing girls honors with Grace Academy.

Coupeville finished second on the boys side, and third on the girls.

The trip to Concrete was a late addition to the schedule, as La Conner was originally supposed to host.

Kudos to the Lions for stepping up and putting on a track meet — easily the most-complex of any high school athletic competition — with little advance warning.

Down on the field, Logan Martin led the way for the Wolves, claiming titles in the shot put and discus, while Aidan Wilson was tops in the long jump.

Carolyn Lhamon (shot put) and Ryanne Knoblich (high jump) conquered all challengers in their events, as well.

The Wolf boys relay teams featured Wilson, Reiley Araceley, and Sam Wynn in both races, with Dominic Coffman filling out the lineup in the 4 x 100 and Mitchell Hall taking his place in the 4 x 4.

Coupeville returns to action March 25, when it travels to Mount Vernon.

Complete Thursday results:

GIRLS:

200 — Ja’Kenya Hoskins (2nd) 30.09

400 — Carolyn Lhamon (5th) 1:22.49

300 Hurdles — Cristina McGrath (NO FINISH LISTED) 1:04.25 *PR*

4 x 100 Relay — Ava Mitten, Abigail Ramirez, Hoskins, Lhamon (3rd) 1:01.76

4 x 200 Relay — McGrath, Hoskins, Mitten, Lhamon (3rd) 2:09.22

Shot Put — Lhamon (1st) 28-07.50

Discus — Aurora Cernick (3rd) 68-10 *PR*

High Jump — Ryanne Knoblich (1st) 4-11 *PR*

BOYS:

100 — Sam Wynn (2nd) NO TIME LISTED

200 — Reiley Araceley (4th) 26.47 *PR*

800 — Aidan Wilson (2nd) 2:18.06 *PR*; Hank Milnes (5th) 2:39.87 *PR*

1600 — Mitchell Hall (4th) 5:29.32 *PR*

3200 — Tate Wyman (3rd) 15:54.68 *PR*

300 Hurdles — Wyman (3rd) 1:01.50 *PR*

4 x 100 Relay — Wilson, Araceley, Dominic Coffman, Wynn (1st) 49.05

4 x 400 Relay — Wilson, Araceley, Hall, Wynn (1st) NO TIME LISTED

Shot Put — Logan Martin (1st) 37-10.50; Dakota Eck (4th) 31-11.50 *PR*

Discus — Martin (1st) 135-09

Javelin — Martin (3rd) 101-00 *PR*; Hall (6th) 81-06

High Jump — Alex Murdy (2nd) 5-08 *PR*; Coffman (5th) 5-02

Long Jump — Wilson (1st) 18-02 *PR*

Posted in Track | Tagged CHS Wolves, Ja'Kenya Hoskins, Logan Martin, Northwest League, track and field | Leave a Comment »

Stone collects all the honors (all of them!)

March 19, 2021 by David Svien

Makana Stone tears up the hardwood in England. (Photo property Loughborough University)

She’s been a Player of the Week before, but now she’s taking it a step further.

Coupeville grad Makana Stone was one of three athletes recently hailed by Loughborough University in England, named as the school’s Players of the Month.

The former Wolf joins tennis ace Otto Sterner and hockey player Guy Sheldon in being honored by the Loughborough Students’ Athletic Union.

The trio were hailed for having “gone above and beyond and continued to support their teammates, participated in various lockdown challenges and kept themselves active.”

During her time in Europe, Stone has been a steady presence on the basketball court, helping lead the Riders to a 9-1 record in games in which she has suited up.

A three-time pick as National Basketball League Player of the Week, she sits with 168 points, 155 rebounds, 24 assists, 34 steals, and five blocks on the season.

Stone is second in the league in rebounding (15.5 a game), third in efficiency (279.0), fourth in scoring (16.8) and steals (3.4), and ninth in free throw percentage (75.7%).

Posted in Basketball | Tagged Basketball, CHS Wolves, Loughborough University, Makana Stone, Player of the Month | Leave a Comment »

“In so many ways, she was exceptional”

March 18, 2021 by David Svien

Dr. Suzanne Bond, former Coupeville Schools Superintendent. (Photos courtesy Simonson/Bond family)

Suzanne Bond was a strong leader with a big heart.

During the six years she spent as Superintendent of Coupeville Public Schools, the district blossomed.

Student scores in the Washington Assessment of Student Learning tests rose under her leadership, while a levy passed with a very-strong 72 percent favorable vote.

Dr. Bond was also a kind woman, one who always greeted me with a smile when she and her family came in to Videoville or Miriam’s Espresso.

The following remembrance is from her family:

On the morning of March 3, 2021, Suzanne S. Bond of Coupeville, Washington, died peacefully at home at the age of 70.

She was surrounded by her family.

Suzanne was a devoted mother, a loving wife, a leader by example, and a beloved friend.

Named Victoria Suzanne Bednorz by her parents, she always preferred to be called Suzanne.

Born to Twila Darlene Vice and Edwin Gilbert Bednorz, Suzanne arrived on August 9th, 1950, in Tacoma, Washington.

She had one older brother, Edwin Gene “Rusty” Bednorz.

Suzanne’s first husband was Howard Lee Simonson. They were married in 1971.

In 1987 the twins were born, Cavan and Zachary.

In 1994, Suzanne married her second husband, Dan Noel Bond.

She wrote about Dan saying, “He is my heart connection to the world; we have important work to do together.”

In so many ways, Suzanne was exceptional.

She came from modest beginnings. She believed strongly in the power of education and had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

She earned her B.A. and Masters of Education at Western Washington State College, then her Doctor of Education from Seattle University in 1982.

Suzanne began her teaching career as the business education instructor at Juanita High School and then rose to the Assistant Principal position.

She later became Principal of Mariner High School for a period of eight years before moving into the Mukilteo School District Office as Director of Staff Development and Special Projects.

In 1996 Suzanne accepted the School Superintendent position for Coupeville Schools.

In Coupeville, Suzanne made her deepest impact as Superintendent.

She helped instill character education and development within the school district.

She fostered engagement between the business community and the district.

Numerous businesses displayed the Coupeville School’s “Words to Live By,” which included: Respect, Caring, Responsibility, Contribution, Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion, Cooperation, and Perseverance.

Suzanne retired in 2002 but returned to education shortly after as Associate Professor in the Educational Leadership program at Seattle Pacific University.

Suzanne lived a life of service through education.

With her heart for kids, contagious smile, and ready laughter, she made friends everywhere she went.

She was deeply spiritual and compassionate and raised her children to put others first.

Suzanne is survived by her husband Dan and children, Cavan and Zach.