Raven Vick fires the javelin during the sunny, but chilly, first days of Coupeville High School track and field practice. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Mallory Kortuem (left) and Maya Toomey-Stout seek a third-straight trip to state.
They’re ready to rock.
Led by two school record holders, the Coupeville High School girls track squad is primed for success in the new season, individually and as a team.
The headliners are senior Lindsey Roberts, and juniors Maya Toomey-Stout and Mallory Kortuem, but the Wolves have exciting athletes up and down the roster.
Roberts and fellow senior Emma Smith top a list of nine returning letter winners, with juniors Ja’Tarya Hoskins, Raven Vick, Kortuem, Willow Vick, Toomey-Stout, and Lucy Sandahl and sophomore Catherine Lhamon rounding out that list.
Toss in promising freshmen like Alana Mihill and Ja’Kenya Hoskins, and life is good for CHS coach Randy King.
“We got off to an excellent start this week, and while it was a bit on the cold side, we are out and running!,” he said. “This first week they have proven to be a fun group with good leadership and a great positive vibe.”
Roberts, by virtue of her past body of work, including a school record in the 100 hurdles, earns the biggest spotlight.
A five-time state meet medalist, including a 2nd place finish in the hurdles as a junior, Lou has brought hardware home after every one of her three trips to the state championships.
As she enters her senior season, Roberts is hot on the heels of Makana Stone (seven medals) and Natasha Bamberger (six), the only Wolf girls to have claimed more state meet success.
Kortuem, who shattered the school record in the pole vault last season, and Toomey-Stout, have both been to state twice, winning 5th place medals as part of a relay team their freshmen seasons.
“On the running side for the girls, we return three girls who have been to state each year,” King said. “They have had a lot of success and are all capable between 100 and 400 and are anxious to compete.”
Ashlie Shank, who ran a leg on two relay teams (4 x 100 and 4 x 200) which went to state last season, is in a different state after a family move, so the hunt for a fourth relay runner is on King’s mind.
“It is hard to say at this time who a fourth participant on relays will be and what distance we will be best at!,” he said. “So far it looks like it will be one of the Hoskins girls.
“Ja’Tarya and Ja’Kenya have both shown good speed in practice so far, and so it looks like we will have five girls sprinters.”
The battlin’ Vick sisters will also be busy, with Willow the team’s top high jumper, and Raven out in front in the javelin, having hit almost 90 feet as a sophomore.
While the Wolf boys have no distance runners, the girls are upholding their school’s long and hallowed tradition in the events.
Lhamon, coming off a strong cross country season, and Sandahl are back for year two in the 1600 and 3200, while Mihill and Makaela Labrador join them.
While the sprinters and relay runners have the most state meet experience, senior thrower Emma Smith could soon join them in making the trip to Cheney.
A standout in volleyball, she has consistently improved her distances in each previous season, coming dangerously close to qualifying for state. This year could be her year, said her coach.
“We have a lot of potential in this area,” King said. “Emma has really worked on her strength and appears set to make significant improvements in shot and discus.”
Smith and her teammates open the season Mar. 14 at the Oak Harbor Jamboree, then host the first of three home meets Mar. 21.
