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Posts Tagged ‘cross country’

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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Wolves on the prowl in the great outdoors. (Photos courtesy Kelly Powers)

Never stop moving but leave no trace behind.

A pack of Coupeville athletes were at the front as a local Scout troop ventured deep into the forest recently, covering 10 miles and over 2000 feet in elevation gain.

Allie Powers, who capped the school year by playing a key defensive role for a CHS softball team which went to state, was the senior patrol leader.

Joining her were incoming freshmen Zariyah Allen, Claire Lachnit, and Anna Powers, with the latter two tackling meal planning for the group.

Rounding out Troop 4058 were middle schooler Daniel Powers, who is considering following in his sister’s footsteps as a cross country runner, and Ghengis and Tiberius Carrol, on loan from Florida Troop 313 during their summer vacation.

Scoutmasters Kelly Powers and Matt Lachnit were also on hand.

While out on its trek, the troop explored the crash site of a B-17 bomber, ventured into the cave of a deserted mine, slept while it was in the 40’s and hiked under a blazing sun.

“Allie noted she packed and needed both shorts and fleece-lined jeans!” said Kelly Powers.

While this adventure is in the books, more beckon, as the troop is already planning a future three-day trip in the same region with a further reach.

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Henry Purdue is a fast-rising star in the running world. (Photos courtesy Julieanna Purdue)

“I really like running.”

And it shows, as Henry Purdue has been one of the top Wolves in both cross country and track and field during his middle school days.

Now, as he prepares to make the jump to high school as a freshman in the fall, the lanky teen, who has deep prairie roots, is intent on continuing to make big strides in both sports.

While he’s also played basketball and soccer, Purdue gets his biggest athletic joy from hitting the open trail or burning around a track oval.

“My favorite thing about being an athlete is running with other people,” he said. “I like that we challenge one another to do better.

“One of my strengths as an athlete is that I love to run, I love conditioning and trying to improve,” Purdue added.

“An area I’d like to work on is continuing to improve my time.”

Getting work experience in the land of fine cheeses.

A strong student in the classroom as well, he “loves Legos, my cats, and reading,” while picking the Eddie Murphy-led classic Beverly Hills Cop as his favorite movie.

But it’s Purdue’s fleet-footed work which has drawn the most attention of late.

He’s already building a stellar reputation, having finished 3rd and 4th at the season-ending Cascade League Cross Country Championships the past two seasons.

Purdue is an equal-opportunity threat in the spring, competing in the 800, 1600, high jump, 4 x 100 relay, and long jump during his CMS days.

During his 8th grade campaign he hit the tape first seven times, piling up four victories in the 800 and another three in the 1600.

Still, there’s room to grow, and work to put in.

“My goals are to keep enjoying running and, if possible, to rise in the ranks,” Purdue said.

He hails Cyrus Sparacio, who advanced to the state meet in two events as a CHS freshman this spring, as an inspiration.

“Running with him in training has helped me to run faster,” Purdue said.

Plotting world domination with his feline assistant.

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Time to get out and get the blood pumping.

Coupeville Middle and High School students are encouraged to join Wolf trail gurus Elizabeth Bitting and Amber Wyman this summer for daily free fun runs.

You don’t have to be a cross country runner to participate, but the lure of harrier life may prove hard to escape.

Sessions go from June 22 to July 31, and a look at the photo above gives you a breakdown of how each day is planned.

If you have any questions, the coaches can be reached at ebitting@coupeville.k12.wa.us or awyman@coupeville.k12.wa.us.

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Xavier Ochoa

Mom was a Wolf, dad a Wildcat, and Xavier Ochoa is his own thing.

And that thing? A major success.

The Oak Harbor High School senior, son of Danny and Lexi (Boyer) Ochoa, is a standout in the arena and the classroom who has plenty left to accomplish.

He’s already filled up a letterman’s jacket, thanks to stints in cross country, track and field, basketball, and football, where he played quarterback for the ‘Cats as a senior.

As a harrier, he advanced to the Northwest Conference meet all three seasons he competed, earning a slot at the District 1/2 Championships to cap his junior campaign.

Put him in the world of track and field, and Ochoa soars, piling up wins and PRs as a high jumper and long jumper, while also vying as a sprinter and relay runner.

But it’s the hardwood, where both of his parents also played, which captivates the lanky 6-foot-3 Wildcat, who was tabbed Second-Team All-Conference in the top-tier Northwest Conference as a junior.

“Basketball is my favorite sport because it’s all I have wanted to do since I was 12 years old,” Ochoa said.

“Starting in my first varsity basketball game vs. Sedro Wooley as a freshman was a big moment,” he added.

“But also, in my junior year when I was first able to start along with my best friends on the basketball court.”

Excelling in a league which includes big-time programs such as Lynden, Anacortes, and Lynden Christian takes talent and hard work, with an emphasis on the latter.

Ochoa praises both of his parents and says the game has helped him build an enduring bond with his father, who coached him from grades 3-8.

“My dad and I have connected over basketball in a big way,” he said. “Many late nights watching film, him teaching me the fundamentals and talking about game theory.”

Along with his father, Ochoa has been blessed with a strong support staff along the way.

“Next in line would be my basketball coach, Justin Ronning. He has helped me grow not just in the game of basketball but in life too.

“He has encouraged me through my whole high school journey, and his leadership style has rubbed off on me.”

“Some other impactful people have been Brad Tesch and my other high school coaches like Coach Wesley, Hughes, Stuurmans, and Esvelt. They always give me good perspective and encouragement through the highs and lows.”

Ochoa, who enjoys hiking and camping, which allows him an opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends, is also a strong student who is interested in studying sports statistics or sports medicine in college.

At OHHS, “Sports Med with Trainer Trev and any math or science class has been the most enjoyable because of the teachers.

“Mr. Wesley, Mr. Turner, Mr. Crebbin, and Mr. Sawhill have been teachers that have made class fun and something I look forward to during the day,” Ochoa said.

“Also, I can’t leave out advisory with Mrs. Stuurmans; she is always full of energy and fun to talk to.”

Going forward, Ochoa is interested in continuing his hoops career, which inspires his dedication to the game.

“I think my strength as an athlete is my work ethic and my drive,” he said. “This has helped me achieve things I would have never imagined.

“I would love to play basketball at the next level,” Ochoa added. “I am talking to a few schools, and I am excited for what is to come.”

And yes, with his parents having diplomas from different Whidbey schools, and mom having been a frequent visitor to Videoville back in her younger days, there are moments where the Wildcat star ponders what could have been.

But just for a moment.

“I do sometimes wonder what it would have been like if I attended CHS,” Ochoa admitted.

“I have friends that would have been fun to go to school with like Cole White, Landon Roberts, Camden Glover, Lyla and Tenley Stuurmans.

“It may have been fun to play alongside those guys as well as Logan Downes on the basketball team and for Coach (Brad) Sherman.

“But at the end of the day I’m purple and gold to the end and I wouldn’t trade a thing.”

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