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Anna Powers (center) enjoys her time as an athlete. (Photos courtesy Kelly Powers)

Anna Powers rarely stops moving.

Or at least it seems that way, as the speedy three-sport athlete finds time to excel in cross country, basketball, and track and field, while also filling her free hours with tons of other activities.

Powers, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School this fall, “loves taking pictures, shopping, hiking, baking, and going to the pool with my friends.”

Then toss in reading and doing puzzles, plus playing badminton — “I have a net in my back yard, and I play with my family all the time” — plus her involvement in Scouts and theater.

Loppers in hand, Powers clears the trail.

Being a Scouts member has her working on service projects, fine-tuning her culinary skills — “I’m an excellent s’mores maker!” — and backpacking through nature.

Meanwhile her love of musicals brings Anna and big sis Allie to the stage at the Whidbey Playhouse.

The Powers siblings are featured in a production of “Mean Girls Jr.,” and can be seen (and heard) in action between July 19-August 2.

As she juggles her many interests, the outgoing young Wolf has already made a name for herself as an athlete to watch.

Powers ran all three years she was in middle school, capping her 8th grade season of cross country by claiming top two finishes in five of her seven races.

Zipping down trails just seems to come naturally to her.

“My favorite sport is 100% cross country,” Powers said. “I love the people, the competition, the bus rides, and I guess the running.

“Also, my coach, Mrs. (Amber) Wyman was such a good coach; she made the practices fun and silly but also effective.

“Also, fun runs during the summer are a great way to see my friends and get some good exercise.”

Powers has already set goals for her high school harrier career, and, once again, shows a strong balance there.

“I want to go to state for cross country and I want to letter in cross country,” she said. “I also want to have fun!”

As a track and field star, Powers competed in eight different events across three CMS seasons, running relays, clearing the hurdles, chucking the shot put and discus, soaring as a long jumper, and powering through both the 800 and 1600.

Always ready to tackle a new challenge with a positive attitude.

Meanwhile, upholding her commitment to staying busy, she balanced two different basketball teams, playing for both the middle school squad and the high school JV team as an 8th grader.

Powers plans to stay with all three of her sports as she makes the transition to high school, getting something positive out of all her diverse pursuits.

“I like being a part of a team, competing, and having a practice to look forward to after school; the exercise is also a bonus,” she said.

“I hope that doing multiple sports makes me a well-rounded and competitive athlete.”

Through it all, Powers has drawn support from family and friends, and she pays special tribute to her mom, Kelly, for being her go-to person.

“My mother has always been a huge supporter of all my sports,” she said.

“She has been my coach countless times, and she has always helped me whether it be helping me fix my hurdle form or waking up early to make me a breakfast sandwich before school.”

The ever-busy star, momentarily at rest.

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Zayne Roos rains down buckets against South Whidbey. (Julie Wheat photo)

Zayne Roos is a true daughter of the prairie.

The talented young woman, who will be a freshman at Coupeville High School in the fall, is a sixth-generation member of the Sherman farming clan, meaning she’s connected to about 92% of everyone in Cow Town.

Not surprisingly, that means she has a large fan club guaranteed to follow her athletic exploits with interest.

And Roos, who also finds time to “enjoy writing, reading, crocheting, and hiking,” has been making big strides.

She’s already played at the high school level in both her sports, going to the state tourney as a member of the CHS varsity softball squad this spring.

Before that, she bounced between programs on the hardwood, playing both middle school basketball and suiting up for the high school JV squad as an 8th grader.

Roos plans to keep churning away in both sports, though hoops have the slight edge for now.

“I love both my sports, but my favorite sport is basketball,” she said.

“I’ve played it every year since 4th grade, and love playing with a team. I like the team and individual aspects of it and being able to rely on my teammates.

“Knowing that we are there for each other, on and off the court.”

Roos is proud of her work on the defensive end of the floor in basketball, while being committed to working on her offensive game, “specifically shooting.”

On the diamond, she is looking to “improve overall,” with an eye on being part of successful programs in both sports.

“I’d love to hopefully help both softball and basketball teams go far in their seasons,” Roos said. “And be up there with some of the best basketball players our school has had.

“I’d also love to improve overall, and I hope I can be an inspiration to younger athletes.”

Roos and Co. advanced to the state softball tourney this spring. (Jackie Saia photo)

Roos, who enjoys spending time with her family and friends and tending to her two cats and dog, likes being part of something bigger than just herself.

“Knowing that we are there for each other, on and off the court and field,” she said.

“I also like the physical aspects of both sports, since they keep me disciplined. And I love being able to be outside during softball season.

“I’ve also made a lot of friends through sports, which is fun both during the season and on the off-season.”

Her parents, family, and coaches all get shout-outs from Roos for “being very supportive of me,” and she has a special connection with her teammates.

Two, in particular, have been positive role models for her.

“My teammates always push me to be the best I can,” she said. “And two I respect and learned a lot from, in both basketball and softball, are Ava Lucero and Cami Van Dyke.

“They’ve both helped me improve so much in both sports, and I owe them a lot.”

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Randy Blindauer

Wolf Nation remembers.

While I don’t know that I ever met Randy Blindauer in person, he is linked to two of the biggest moments in Coupeville High School athletic history.

He played for three varsity basketball teams in the ’70s, scoring 166 points.

Which in a moment of kismet, puts him at exactly #166 currently on the career scoring chart made up of the 433 Wolf boys I’ve been able to document rattling the rim in a varsity contest.

Big moment #2 came on March 3, 1976, when Blindauer and his teammates beat Columbia (Burbank) 80-63 at the state basketball tourney.

That was the first state victory for any CHS team, in any sport.

Big moment #1 had already arrived on September 19, 1975, when Cow Town’s football gridiron officially became known as Mickey Clark Field.

The Wolf football team, including Blindauer, became the first athletes to play on the newly named stretch of land, facing off with Chimacum.

Blindauer died earlier this month at age 67 but remains a part of Wolf Nation forever.

 

From his family:

Randy Allen Blindauer passed away peacefully at home on June 8, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Randy was born on March 17, 1959, in Mitchell, South Dakota.

After graduating from Coupeville High School, he began a career in construction that would span nearly 50 years.

He eventually became a Civil Superintendent and took great pride in his work.

Randy often joked that he wasn’t a “nail bender.” He just “played in the dirt.”

He spent his life building strong foundations that supported homes, businesses, and communities for generations.

Randy was known for being able to fix just about anything. If something was broken, family and friends knew he was the person to call.

He was steady, dependable, and always willing to help.

More than anything, Randy loved his family.

He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy came from spending time with those he loved.

He enjoyed camping, being outdoors, cruises, and trips to Disney, which always brought out the big kid in him—his impressive Tigger collection affirms this!

Along with the enormous pride he took in his family and work, he deeply enjoyed the beautiful Whidbey Island home and property that he and his wife, Heidi, consider their oasis.

Whether he was working on the home, traveling, or spending time with his grandchildren, Randy treasured every moment.

In January 2025, Randy was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He faced his illness with strength and determination, fighting hard every day until the end.

Randy is survived by his wife of 20 years, Heidi Blindauer; his children, Holly Blindauer, Jessica Blindauer, Christy (Brooks) Rice, and Robert Hubner; and his six grandchildren, Siena Blindauer, Brooklyn Robb, Noelle Rice, Dawson Rice, William Rice, and Jeremiah Rice.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucille Blindauer; his brother, Greg Blindauer; and his son, Matthew Hubner.

The family invites friends and coworkers to a Celebration of Life service and reception with light food and drinks on Monday, June 29, 2026, beginning at 4:00 PM.

Location: Living Word Foursquare Church, 490 NW Crosby Ave in Oak Harbor, Washington.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

Please, do not send flowers.

Donations are welcome to continue the fight against cancer through the following organizations:

 

Blood Cancer United:

https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org/campaign/717321/donate

 

Leukemia Research Foundation:

Donate now

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River Simpson piled up the wins as a middle school track and field athlete. (Photos courtesy Rainy Simpson)

River Simpson has big dreams.

Having already racked up an impressive run as a middle school athlete, he heads into his freshman year at Coupeville High School in the fall with his eyes already set on the prize.

Or several prizes.

“I would like our CHS basketball team to go to state,” Simpson said. “I want to be top 10 in all-time scoring in basketball; I also want to break a sub-23 (seconds) in the 200-meter dash.”

After playing basketball and competing in track and cross country during his CMS days, Simpson plans to kick off his high school career by trying something different, switching to soccer this fall.

When winter rolls around, he’ll hit the hardwood, intent on continuing the strong play he showcased as an 8th grader.

After being among the team leaders in scoring for the top CMS squad, Simpson got a chance to play two games at the high school level and made an immediate impact for the Wolf JV.

He rattled the rims for 13 points in a win over Concrete in his first JV action, then banged home a game-high 19 in the season finale against Friday Harbor.

And while he enjoys all of his sports, hoops have a special lure.

“Basketball, it’s my favorite because it’s an indoor sport so you can play year-round,” Simpson said. “It’s the sport I’m most passionate about.”

Simpson and Co. singed the net both as school and select team hoops stars.

Not that basketball is the only sport he’s a high achiever in, as he piled up 19 wins across seven events during his CMS track and field days.

Simpson collected victories in every event he tried, from the 100, 200, 400, and 800, to the 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relays, as well as the high jump.

He saved one of his best performances for last, teaming up with Malachi Chapa, Lincoln Wagner, and Sawyer Rudat to smash the CMS record in the 4 x 2 at the Cascade League Championships in their final middle school meet.

In school Simpson favors history and PE classes, while the tunes of Steve Lacy and Michael Jackson are his musical go-to, and remaining busy is the name of the game.

“Staying active throughout the year (is big), hanging out with friends on some of the long bus rides,” he said. “And having goals to work towards.”

That includes putting in time shooting hoops and taking part in strength training, as well as spending time with his grandparents, helping neighbors with yard work, and ramping up his reading.

“I like being active and keeping busy,” Simpson said.

As he prepares for his launch into high school, where he will follow in the footsteps of big sis Laken, a Wolf cheerleader and track athlete, River is looking at the complete picture on what’s working, and where he can grow.

“I think my strengths are the ability to work through obstacles,” he said. “And I think I could work on supporting my teammates more.

“My dad, he pushed me since I was little to work hard if I want to compete in any sport,” Simpson added.

“My mom always supported me coming to all my home games and cheering me on. And Coach Alex (Evans), he helped me gain confidence in basketball and believed in me.”

Dropping bombs from behind the arc.

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“Take two steps, then dunk the ball.” (Photos courtesy Brad Sherman)

The next generation of Wolf hoops stars are here and ready to claim the court.

Cow Town children in grades 1-5 put in three days of work this past week as the Coupeville Youth Basketball Association held a skills camp which wrapped Thursday.

“They worked hard, had fun, showed lots of growth, brought amazing attitudes, encouraged each other, and started the summer in the gym with some hoops!” said CHS varsity boys’ basketball coach Brad Sherman.

“A huge thank you to all of the volunteer coaches who helped make this possible!

“Especially fun to see our CHS and even some CMS athletes volunteering their time to run stations and work with Coupeville youth.”

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