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Posts Tagged ‘CHS Wolves’

“We are the team to beat!!”

Posted in Boys Tennis, tagged 1A Olympic League, CHS Wolves, Joseph Wedekind, Sebastian Davis, tennis on August 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)

Jared Helmstadter lets rip.

Blessed with a deep, experienced roster, Coupeville High School boys’ tennis guru Ken Stange is entering a new season with one goal — for this squad to mirror last spring’s Wolf girls’ netters and put a new banner up in the gym.

“For the varsity squad, a league title should be in order,” Stange said. “Honestly, if we fail to win the league title, it will be a disappointing season. We are very deep.

“It will be a successful season if we go undefeated in league play,” he added. “The kids at CHS love the chance to win league titles. The girls picked one up last spring. The boys are ready to hang one up for themselves!”

Leading the charge is senior Sebastian Davis, who will slide up a slot to replace the graduated Aaron Curtin as the team’s #1 singles player.

Davis went 6-0 in league play last season, then pushed Curtin, who advanced to state, hard in the postseason.

“He is the heir apparent to the league singles title,” Stange said. “He is ready to pick up where Aaron left off.”

While the second and third singles slot are up for grabs (“We will be inexperienced, but I imagine the other schools in our league will face the same dilemma. As long as our 2 and 3 can display confidence and consistency, we should be good”) the Wolves are stacked at doubles.

“I’ve never had this sort of doubles depth on the boys’ team,” said Stange, who is in his 11th season at CHS. “They are all bigger and stronger, and there has been a noticeable rise in consistent play.”

The Wolves return 10 lettermen, with Davis joined by seniors Jared Helmstadter, Connor McCormick and Loren Nelson, juniors Joseph Wedekind, John McClarin, Grey Rische and Jimmy Myers and sophomores Joey Lippo and William Nelson.

Seniors Garrett Compton and Cole Payne (making a jump from football) and sophomore Nick Etzell are expected to fight for court time, as well.

Regardless of how the various varsity slots are filled, Stange is looking for a team-wide commitment in more ways than one.

“I want my boys to work on more than sharpening their skills. I want them to be a supportive group that challenges each other,” he said. “I want competition in practice so we can carry it over to matches.

“I want my players to be happy when they lose a challenge match in practice, because I want them to understand that our team is better when we beat the stuffing out of each other in practice,” Stange added. “Last season, the girls’ team found that family feel.

“The boys have always been a together sort of bunch, but I want them to take it to the next level. I think that’s how we can win.”

Before they get to league rivals Klahowya and Port Townsend/Chimacum, the Wolves will be tested in non-conference matches by top-level programs, always a good way to sharpen skills.

“Beating South Whidbey and ATM, that will be challenging,” Stange said. “For the newcomers, learn the game and become consistent players.

“Our doubles teams, while taking quite a beating last year, will benefit from the combination of another year’s experience and attrition from the other schools,” he added. “On top of a league title and a strong showing in the league tourney, it would be a special treat if we could sneak someone (or a pair) though districts and on to state.”

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Legends, one and all!!

Posted in Hall o' Fame, tagged 1A Olympic League, Amy Briscoe, Ann Pettit, CHS Wolves, Dalton Engle, Hall of Fame, Mitch Pelroy, Tom Roehl on August 30, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Ann Pettit (top, left) joins her fellow inductees (bottom, l to r) Tom Roehl, Amy Briscoe, Dalton Engle and Mitch Pelroy.

Ann Pettit (top, left) joins fellow inductees (bottom, l to r) Tom Roehl (with son Virgil), Amy Briscoe, Dalton Engle (with dad Michael) and Mitch Pelroy.

The 2014-2015 CHS varsity girls’ hoops squad. (John Fisken photos)

The 2014-2015 Wolf JV squad, which went 9-0 in league play to match the varsity.

How do you choose who goes in the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame?

Bribes. It’s all about the bribes. So start baking those chocolate chip cookies…

Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, it’s time to welcome the 10th class into these hallowed digital walls, forever to live on at the top of the blog under the Legends tab.

Welcome to the stage Dalton Engle, Ann Pettit, Mitch Pelroy, Tom Roehl, Amy Briscoe and (no, it’s not too soon) the 2014-2015 Coupeville High School girls’ basketball team.

Leading us off is the most unsung of the group, the glue who helps hold Wolf athletics together, Mrs. Briscoe.

The ultimate den mother, Amy is the sort of indispensable, take no crap but love ’em all parent every school needs.

That CHS has her is a huge win.

She’s given the Wolves two talented daughters, Tiffany and Kyla, but she goes in to the Hall for the way she takes care of all of her daughters (and sons).

A fierce fighter and protector of every kid who crosses her path, Amy knows when to hug and when to put her foot between someone’s butt cheeks, and she does both with compassion and heart (and fresh baked brownies).

Wolf Nation, and its athletes, could have no finer force ‘o nature watching over them, day and night.

Joining her in entering the hall is another larger than life presence, the late Tom Roehl.

Like Amy, he spent countless hours helping the children of Coupeville.

From his years as Ron Bagby’s right-hand man with the CHS football program to the time he poured into keeping youth basketball hoppin’ in Cow Town, he gave his all.

And, while his passing left a huge hole, his family has kept his memory and his lessons alive over the years, giving out numerous scholarships in his name through their foundation.

Coach Roehl’s impact will filter down through generations to come, and it is an honor to add him to our little club.

The Wolf football program that he dedicated so much time to has produced a long list of stellar players, and two of the best in recent memory go into the Hall with him.

Engle, who followed the path set by his dad Michael, is on the school record board for the most career tackles, but it was his leadership which shone above all else.

A quiet, confident guy who led by example and never backed down on the field, he was a rock for the Wolves.

Pelroy was just as important, a zippy, highlight-reel-producing receiver and defensive back who excelled in the return game, a track star leaving would-be tacklers in his dust.

His speed, and his hard work, carried him to college, where he continues to shine for Montana Western while rockin’ the best hair in the biz.

Our fifth inductee is one of the best basketball players to ever rep the red and black. And it ain’t even close.

A two-time Offensive Player of the Year (1996, 1997) and the team’s MVP in 1998, Pettit scored in bursts and teamed with Zenovia Barron to form arguably the most dangerous one-two attack Wolf hoops has ever had.

How potent was she?

In her varsity debut as a sophomore, she entered the game in the third quarter … then ripped off 18 points.

CHS coach Willie Smith, in one of his many brilliant moves, started Pettit every game for the rest of her career.

Her brightest moment may have come during her senior season, when Coupeville upended Bellevue Christian to reach the state tourney, with Pettit shutting down BC’s Cathrine Kraayeveld (currently in her 11th season in the WNBA).

Shutting people down was the hallmark of our final inductee, last year’s Wolf girls’ basketball team.

Led by league MVP Makana Stone and a six-pack of skilled seniors, Coupeville romped to a title in the inaugural season of the 1A Olympic League, hanging the first new championship banner in the CHS gym in 13 years.

Young women who had not seen their school win a title in any sport since they were kindergartners made an epic statement, and they did it in style, winning all nine league games by 15 or more points.

Even more impressively, the Wolf JV also went 9-0, drilling Klahowya, Port Townsend and Chimacum and we are honoring the entire squad today.

For going 18-0 in league play. For sweeping away the past and kick-starting a new era, an era in which the howl of the Wolves sends shivers down the spines of other teams.

Inducted, together, as a team, the 2014-2015 CHS girls’ basketball squad:

David King (coach)
Amy King (coach)
McKenzie Bailey
Kyla Briscoe
Tiffany Briscoe
Lauren Grove
Hailey Hammer
Brisa Herrera
Kailey Kellner
Kacie Kiel
Skyler Lawrence
Mia Littlejohn
Mattea Miller
Julia Myers
Lauren Rose
Makana Stone
Madeline Strasburg
Wynter Thorne
Monica Vidoni
Allison Wenzel

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Killer whales or Wolves? She loves ’em all!!

Posted in Cheer, tagged animal activist, Cheer, cheer sisters, CHS Wolves, Madison Aylesworth on August 29, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Madison Aylesworth (Photo courtesy Aylesworth)

Animals have a dedicated friend in Madison Aylesworth.

The Coupeville High School sophomore is currently focused on cheer, having joined the Wolf squad this year, but she always has time for her first love.

“I am an activist for animal rights. I love animals, all of them,” Aylesworth said. “Especially killer whales.”

A fan of comedy movies and art class, she may be new to the CHS cheer squad, but this is not her first time in the sport.

Aylesworth did junior cheer for two years while attending Coupeville Elementary, then put in another year at the middle school level while living in Arizona.

That experience inspired her to return to her roots this year.

“I always looked up to the older cheerleaders because they were so inspiring and encouraging. They definitely made an impact on me,” she said. “I started doing cheer this year because I really do enjoy dancing. And I wanted to support my school and show school spirit.

“The reason I enjoy cheer is because I feel like I’m a part of a team,” Aylesworth added. “Being on the team creates close bonds with my cheer sisters.”

She and her “sisters” often face an uphill battle convincing others to accept cheer as a sport, and, currently, the CHS administration chooses to regard it as an activity.

That doesn’t stop her, however.

“I consider cheer a sport because it’s not just all smiles,” Aylesworth said. “We put a lot of work into our cheers/routines. Plus it’s not just dancing we do, we have to workout and stay in shape.

“A lot of people may not consider us a sport because we just follow the football/basketball players, but they don’t see all the work we do at practice and all the hard work that goes into being a cheerleader.”

In the end, the people that really matter know it’s a sport, and their support is huge in Aylesworth’s life.

“First, I would like to thank my very supportive mother, for always being there for me,” she said. “Second, I would like to thank both my coaches and cheer captains for being great leaders and always willing to help me.

“And last, but not least, I would like to thank my cheer sisters for always making me laugh and showing what it’s like to be a team.”

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Every day, a new adventure!!

Posted in Cheer, tagged Arisbeth Montiel, Cheer, CHS Wolves, Hispanic heritage, math on August 29, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Arisbeth Montiel (Photos courtesy Montiel)

Montiel, seeking new adventures in the great outdoors.

No fear.

Arisbeth Montiel is new to the Island, having moved to Whidbey in January and new to cheer, but plunging head-first into new adventures is something the Coupeville High School junior lives for.

“I have never done anything like this before, so it’s a completely new atmosphere for me,” she said. “I started doing cheer because I’m all about trying new things and cheer was something that completely terrified me, so I decided to give it a try.

“I really want to get the whole high school experience during my four years and not be afraid to take risks.”

Montiel is pulling double duty this fall, having also turned out for soccer, and pulls strong grades in the classroom as well, having been accepted to the National Honor Society.

She has a wide-range of interests (“I love swimming, reading, writing, traveling and singing! I love to sing. I come from a very musically-orientated family!”) and attacks her classes with gusto.

“I am a big math person. I really do believe math is fun!,” Montiel said.

While she’s new to cheer, it has been everything she hoped for, and more.

“I would have to say that the thing I most enjoy about cheer is the opportunity to interact with other girls my age, because we are all so different and we all have really cool ideas,” Montiel said. “It’s hard not to learn something new every day.

“I love how we are all like a family, always caring and helping one another. It’s awesome!”

Wherever she is, on the field, in the classroom, at home, Montiel draws inspiration from those around her.

“I believe that everyone I surround myself with has made an impact on my life,” she said. “I like to be around people who will help me grow and who will teach me good qualities that will help me better myself as a person.

“They are the ones who keep me grounded and humble even during the crazy teenage years where it can become easy to feel like you rule the world!”

Her heritage has helped to shape a great deal of her life, something for which she is grateful.

“I am Hispanic, so I come from a very close family. We are very united and supportive of each other,” Montiel said. “My parents are very hardworking people who have taught me to always set high goals for myself, and to always stay grounded.

“You are the architect of your own life. Today you are building up the kind of life you want to lead tomorrow,” she added. “My parents always give me great advice and that is just one of the so many that I like to keep close to heart.”

But it’s not just her family that has helped to shape Montiel.

“My friends have a huge impact on who I am. I’m still trying to figure out who I am and they put up with me during the different phases I may go through,” she said. “They allow me to be myself!

“Finally, all my school teachers and counselors, who are always there to motivate me to succeed!”

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Cheer brings joy to Starr’s life!!

Posted in Cheer, tagged Brittany Starr, Cheer, CHS Wolves on August 29, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Brittany Starr (Photos courtesy Starr)

Starr and teammates share a moment at the end of a paint war with the Wolf football squad.

Cheer puts a smile on Brittany Starr’s face.

“What isn’t there to enjoy about cheer! The energy of all the girls is just great to be around!,” she said. “When we are with each other, as soon as we walk in the door for practice, everything bad gets put behind us.

“It makes it so easy for all of us all to be our selves around each other.”

The CHS junior is new to the Wolf squad but it’s a return to her earlier days, when she took part in junior cheer as an elementary school student.

“I started cheer because this year I wanted to try something different and it keeps me motivated to keep my grades up,” Starr said.

It may also spur her into trying other sports in her remaining time as a Wolf. Either way she is already proud to call herself an athlete.

“When I hear someone say cheer is not a sport it really upsets me; we do just as much, if not more work, than some sports at our school,” Starr said. “I never knew how hard the girls worked until I started this year, but we work all summer.

“Cheer is a sport to me; we work hard to get everything perfect,” she added. “It’s not just yelling and waving our arms around.”

Getting to where she currently is has been made easier with the help of many of those she is closest to, from friends to family.

“My mom was a pretty big impact on who I am today; she also thinks cheer is not a sport but she is the most amazing woman to me,” Starr said. “We don’t have much but she did whatever she could to get me into cheer.

“Then there is my best friend Amanda who has got me through so much. Her and her family are amazing people!,” she added. “But without Mrs. (Kristin) Hurlburt, I would not be in cheer right now. She helped me get scholarships and everything else I needed to pay for cheer.”

As she goes forward, balancing school with cheer, Starr has a wide range of things in her life which bring her joy.

“Algebra and English have always been my favorite classes,” she said. “For my free time I love to draw or paint, sing, and now cheer is one of my favorite things to do, so there’s always that.”

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