9 for 9 | Coupeville Sports

Posts Tagged ‘9 for 9’

9 for 9: Giants roam the gridiron

Posted in Football, tagged 9 for 9, CHS Wolves, football, Jake Tumblin, Nick Streubel on August 10, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Jacob Martin, a leader by example. (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.

They hit harder, they ran faster, they had a chip on their shoulder.

The nine Wolf football players who made my cut as the best from the blog era often played different positions, but each one left it all out there on the field.

No dancing around on the sidelines, very little chirping at the refs or rivals — just a willingness to put in the work, and a desire to be as good as they could be.

Lathom Kelley, a bad-ass with a huge heart.

Josh Bayne — Could score every time he touched the ball, and his tackles? In the words of coach Chris Tumblin — “Josh had one tackle on a receiver, folded him in half like a cheap hooker who was punched in the gut by her pimp. He had to sit out for awhile and wait for his liver to start working again.”

Wiley Hesselgrave — Old school attitude in a new school body. The ultimate lunch box player, he attacked relentlessly on both sides of the ball, and then, when it was over, quietly walked over, took off the pads, and moved on to the next stage in his life.

Lathom Kelley — A wrecking ball. Dude has no quit, not then, not now, not ever. An utter delight to watch as he wrecked fools on both sides of the ball.

Jacob Martin — A leader and captain who led by example, the guy who did all the dirty jobs without a complaint. Like his younger brother, Andy, (who missed this list by an extraordinarily-thin whisker), a gamer who earned respect from teammates and foes alike.

Hunter Smith — Owns multiple program records on both sides of the ball after rampaging as a receiver with ever-sure hands and a defensive back with … ever-sure hands. His biggest moment, however? Working relentlessly behind the scenes to make sure a teammate received proper credit for an interception Smith was originally, and incorrectly, credited with.

Nick Streubel — “The Big Hurt” anchored both lines, was an All-Conference lock, and went on to a super-successful college gridiron career. And then there was that one time when Wolf coaches gave him the ball on a rushing attempt, and he dragged nine Chimacum defenders, screaming, into a mud puddle the size of Alaska. Legendary.

Cameron Toomey-Stout — As a freshman, he was less than 100 pounds, yet had no fear. As a veteran, he would line up opposite his younger brother and the pair would race each other down-field for the honor of ripping the ball returner in half. Also a fantastic receiver, even when he was being triple-teamed.

Sean Toomey-Stout — The Natural. In a sea of hard workers, he goes beyond, which is why he’s currently on the U-Dub roster. Earned worldwide viral fame for racing a deer on a touchdown run, and if you say he ever missed a tackle in four years, well, you’re lying.

Jake Tumblin — He’s not stumblin’, he’s rumblin’, cause he’s Jake Tumblin! So fast, so explosive, all the talent, but an even bigger heart. Wanted it more than everyone else, and never stopped working.

Wiley Hesselgrave will devour your soul.

Up next: Back to the hardwood for the best girls players.

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9 for 9: Netters ace the competition

Posted in Girls Tennis, tagged 9 for 9, Allie Hanigan, Amanda d'Almeida, CHS Wolves, girls tennis on August 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »

Avalon Renninger, a lethal lefty on the court. (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.

They are the queens.

Girls tennis owns the most league titles of any sport in the history of Coupeville High School, and it’s not really close.

Long, successful runs by coaches Cliff Horr and Ken Stange — with the latter guru still out there patrolling the courts — have been instrumental.

But it’s also helped to have really-talented players along the way.

Going through the last nine seasons (well, technically eight, as we lost one campaign to Covid), the competition was fierce for the nine slots on my “all-star” squad.

A mix of singles aces and doubles pros, it’s a roster built to win titles, again and again.

A young Valen Trujillo, already a fashion icon.

Payton Aparicio — Raw talent for days, but she also worked far harder than often given credit for. Teamed with Sage Renninger to form a doubles unit which was like a buzz-saw when unleashed, up to smacking a rival with a ball every once in awhile.

Bree Daigneault — She would knock your brains out on the court, then make you feel better than if you had won. Showering her opponents with genuine compliments after nearly every point, she was always kind and humble, a ray of sunshine in an often-bleak world.

Amanda d’Almeida — A superior athlete who could out-gun and out-run almost every foe. Started as a doubles player, then morphed into a singles sensation after her partner moved off-Island, and a winner no matter where she landed in the lineup.

Jackie Ginnings — The ultimate grinder, she would stay on the court for 17 hours, if need be, wearing down the girl on the other side of the net until they could take no more. Nothing seemed to throw her, as she handled good points and bad with the same quiet resiliency.

Allie Hanigan — She used her height to dominate at the net, and her often-unexpected speed to chase down almost everything flung her way. Maybe the most-poised Wolf netter of the past decade.

Avalon Renninger — A lethal lefty who sliced ‘n diced foes with a small smile carefully-hidden on her face. Always gave maximum effort while showcasing a motor which never stops.

Sage Renninger — Big sis teamed with Aparicio to form the most-deadly doubles duo of the blog era, girls or boys. State tourney veterans who could grind you down, or smack you right off the court.

Valen Trujillo — A perfect example of a saint off the court, a cutthroat killer between the lines. Baked goodies for her teammates, made lifelong friends with the girls from other schools she thumped, and did it all in super-classy style.

Tia Wurzrainer — An underrated warrior, she improved by leaps and bounds each season while teaming with Avalon Renninger to form an elite doubles duo which was primed to ascend the mountaintop as seniors, only to have Covid sweep away their final campaign.

Sage Renninger (left) and Payton Aparicio, a premier doubles duo.

Up next: We head to the gridiron.

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9 for 9: Hardwood heroes hailed

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged 9 for 9, Boys Basketball, CHS Wolves, Risen Johnson, Wiley Hesselgrave on August 8, 2021| Leave a Comment »

CHS hoops hotshot Anthony Bergeron eyeballs mom Avis Mitchell. (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.

Yes, I’m biased, and yes, basketball is the best sport.

It’s also one of the longest-running at Coupeville High School, with the boys program having put in 104 seasons and counting.

When I carved the rosters of the last nine campaigns down into one nine-man squad, more than one talented player got left behind.

But, as I assembled my roster, I went with a mix of big-time scorers and “hustle guys,” — players who won the day with steals, rebounds, charges taken, and a burning desire to do whatever was necessary to make the team better.

With this unit we can run, we can play in the paint, and we can beat the crud out of anyone who gets mouthy.

I like to call that well-rounded.

Nick Streubel, a force on both ends of the floor.

Anthony Bergeron — The feel-good success story, a young man who went from a shy role player to throwing down dunks and leading the Wolves in scoring his senior season. You love to see it.

Jordan Ford — Coupeville only had him for a single season, but he revived memories of dad David and uncle Tony. A perfect role player who led the squad in rebounding and was #2 in scoring, picking up most of his points off of put-backs and hustle plays.

Wiley Hesselgrave — Tough as they come, a four-year warrior who scored far more points than you remember, while rattling the teeth of everyone he guarded. Never one to toot his own horn, he came to the court ready to work, every day.

Risen Johnson — The man who brought style back to the floor for the Wolves, bobbing and weaving, flicking runners over outstretched hands or zipping flawless set-up passes to teammates. If you had to pay to watch, he was always worth the price of admission by himself.

Xavier Murdy — The glue, willing (and able) to fill whatever role is asked of him. Can pop the three-ball, but also a ferocious rebounder, a solid passer, and a hyper-intense defender. Always seem to play for the W, not the stats.

Hunter Smith — Finished as the #12 scorer across 104 seasons of Wolf hoops action, and would have been higher if injuries didn’t chip away at his floor time. Back-to-back 300+ point seasons, and a highly-revered athlete among coaches, fans, and his own teammates.

Nick Streubel — Even with refs often saddling him with atrocious fouls, based on his being the largest man on the floor, “The Big Hurt” was a rare bright spot during a tough stretch of time for the Wolf hoops program. The last man rivals wanted to see waiting for them in the paint, and a surprisingly nimble offensive threat.

Sean Toomey-Stout — Like Ford and Murdy, always played for the W over worrying about personal stats. Springy, with a motor which never stops, and a player who has all the intangibles which make coaches sleep easier at night.

Hawthorne Wolfe — Even with a pandemic cutting his junior season in half, is set to make a run at the program’s all-time scoring record. Can knife you with a three-ball from Damian Lillard distance, is a relentless gym rat, and is just flat-out entertaining to watch in action. Our version of Pistol Pete.

Hunter Smith slashes in for two of his 847 points.

Up next: We head to the courts to assemble the best female tennis players.

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9 for 9: Softball sluggers soar

Posted in Softball, tagged 9 for 9, CHS Wolves, Hailey Hammer, Sarah Wright, Softball on August 7, 2021| Leave a Comment »

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.

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9 for 9: Pitch fever rages

Posted in Boys Soccer, tagged 9 for 9, Abraham Leyva, boys soccer, CHS Wolves, William Nelson on August 6, 2021| Leave a Comment »

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.