Lyla Stuurmans will be a Coupeville High School freshman in the fall, yet already has a varsity letter. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
“She lives to play sports!”
Once upon a time, Scott Stuurmans was a high-flying Coupeville athlete, but now he’s largely content to drape his lanky body over a seat in the bleachers and watch his children, like oldest daughter Lyla, grab the spotlight.
An incoming freshman at CHS, she’s bursting with talent, yet remains humble and hard-working, a team-first athlete in a me-first world.
Combining skills handed down by dad, and mom Sarah, a very-successful multi-sport Tenino prep star back in the day, Lyla has been at the forefront of every sport she’s played in Coupeville.
A soccer ace as a youngster, Stuurmans participated in volleyball, basketball, and track at the middle school level, and she plans to continue down that path in a CHS uniform.
A uniform she’s actually already worn for 12 games.
With numbers dipping for the Wolf girls basketball program this past season, 8th graders were allowed to step up and play for the high school team.
Two of those girls — Stuurmans and Savina Wells — made the varsity team, and both had an immediate impact.
Stuurmans was a whirling wonder on defense, a ball hawk who, while young, already exhibits a refreshing willingness to mix it up with rivals.
Firing off the floor on springy legs, eyes ever-alert, both on the floor and when leaning in to the huddle to hear her coach’s words, Stuurmans let her fire show on the floor.
She can also fill up a bucket, leading the Wolves in scoring in their season finale, and finishing eighth on the varsity team in scoring, while topping the JV unit in points.
While she and Wells will have the chance to be the first CHS girls to letter five times in any sport thanks to basketball, don’t sleep on Stuurmans in her other activities.
She’s got mad skills on the volleyball court, and was a blaze going by while competing in middle school track.
Stuurmans fires out of the blocks like a jet. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
While she loves all her sports, plus time spent riding quad and dirt bikes and joining family and friends in every water activity possible, it’s spikes and sets which currently call the loudest to her heart.
“I think at the moment my favorite sport is volleyball,” Stuurmans said. “I really like my teammates, and having alumni there helping has been really motivating to build my skill-set.”
The chance to interact with her teammates has always been one of the big draws for the young star, who takes great delight in seeing her running mates do well.
“Some of the things that I really enjoy about being an athlete are being a part of a team, and having people around that support me and vice versa,” Stuurmans said.
“I also really love the competition aspect and it really drives me to better my game and improve.”
“Oh, they’re gonna need that first aid kit when I get done with them!!” (Corinn Parker photo)
As she heads to high school, Stuurmans is committed to achieving all she can on a personal basis, but it’s team success which sits at the top of her wish list.
“I really think going to state and excelling would be amazing for the program (in all sports),” she said. “And it would really boost the energy for more upcoming classes to want to play at that level.
“Now, as an individual, the goal has always been to play at the collegiate level, and honestly as long as coaches will coach me.”
Stuurmans has natural talent, springing from a family with athletic stars ranging from her parents, to her aunts and uncles, to her cousins, but there’s more to her game.
Even at her young age, she comes across as a very cerebral player, and you can see her mentally digesting advice, then putting words into action.
It fits, for a young woman who already shows a great appreciation for those helping her achieve her full potential.
“Well, my parents have obviously had a large impact on what I am exposed to as an athlete and setting me up for success when it comes to the programs I am involved in,” Stuurmans said.
“My friends and their family have also been a big part when it comes to making me who I am, because they are the ones that are beside me, growing as well as helping me become a better person on and off the court.”
Her time on the soccer pitch brought her into contact with one guru who has had a marked impact on her, regardless of the sport.
“I think that one of my old soccer coaches, Kristan Powell, really showed me how working and putting in time outside of practice or class to build your skills will always help you out,” Stuurmans said.
Reflecting on her own skill-set, the Wolf frosh acknowledges she’s a work in progress.
“This is a little bit hard for me to answer, but I think my strengths as an athlete are that I enjoy being coached, and that I am consistently putting in full effort,” Stuurmans said.
“I am really trying to work on communication on the court, and also trying to not overthink my actions and just let the game flow.”
