Dustin Van Velkinburgh | Coupeville Sports

Posts Tagged ‘Dustin Van Velkinburgh’

Pitch perfect!!

Posted in Boys Soccer, tagged Dustin Van Velkinburgh, goals, John Fisken photos, Soccer on October 7, 2015| Leave a Comment »

He’s got moves like his old man. CHS hoops coach (and former soccer star) Dustin Van Velkinburgh sends his progeny out to rule the pitch. (John Fisken photos)

“Rocket boosters fire in three, two, one…”

“If I turn like this when I kick, I’ll show off the sponsor logo better. That better be worth a free cookie or two…”

“I think I just pulled like 17 muscles…”

“Scorin’ goals. Scorin’ goals all day long. It’s kind of my thing.”

As the rain falls outside, bask in some sunny soccer pics from back when the weather was nice.

You know, a day or two ago.

The pics are courtesy travelin’ photo man John Fisken, who shoots in all weather.

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Stars, then and now!!

Posted in Hall o' Fame, tagged Dustin Van Velkinburgh, Emily Kosderka, Emily Vracin, Hall of Fame, McKayla Bailey, Mitch Aparicio on September 13, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Hall o’ Fame inductees (clockwise, from bottom left) McKayla Bailey, Emily (Vracin) Kosderka, Dustin Van Velkinburgh and Mitch Aparicio.

Impact.

Real, solid, enduring impact.

It’s what the four members of the 12th class to be inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame all delivered.

They were athletes, they had their moments in the sun, but, after they had taken the uniform off for the final time, their legacies, their spirit, their lessons have lived on in the town they once represented.

It’s why they are true legends, and why you’ll now find their names at the top of this blog, enshrined under the tab marked … legends.

I give you, Mitch Aparicio, Emily (Vracin) Kosderka, Dustin Van Velkinburgh and McKayla Bailey.

We’ll kick if off with Coach V, who could have gone in as an athlete, but will get the call as a coach.

Dustin was a superb athlete (still is) who played multiple sports in his younger days, but he is also that rarity, a top-level stud who turned around and came back to coach at the school where he prospered.

He often talks about how much the coaches he had shaped his life, gave him hope and a purpose, and he has retained those lessons and passed them on in his work with CHS football and basketball players.

Young (and skilled) enough to still be able to break his players ankles on the court if necessary, but wise enough to know when to use that power and when to quietly impart wisdom and support, he has helped shape a generation of Wolves.

If they come out the same kind of man he is, what a boon for this community.

Joining him on the stage is Aparicio, an 11-time letter winner who put in work like no other.

A three-time Mr. Hustle award winner in basketball, who later married his coach’s daughter, Mitch was an all-star in football, basketball, baseball and track who could have a trophy room full of All-League honors — if that mattered to him.

Instead, the Class of 1987 alum, who carried his football squad to state three times, has always been content to focus on the small moments instead of the trophies.

“Looking back at it now, I believe the best memories I have are of living in a small town and being close to family,” he once told me. “Living in a small community was a great opportunity to be involved, to play everything and get recognized by your family and community.”

He’s given back, gifting CHS with talented daughters Sydney and Payton, and always being one of the school’s most visible boosters with wife Tami.

And while the high school ‘stache is gone, the huge grin is still there, lighting up the town he loves, which loves him right back.

Our third inductee is the single most cold-blooded killer I have ever covered in person.

Kosderka was Coupeville’s answer to Larry Bird on the basketball court, and I swear I never, ever saw her miss a shot at money time.

The Class of 1992 grad was a standout volleyball and softball star, as well, but it was on the hardwood that she truly excelled.

Need one shot to win? From anywhere on the court? With no time to even think or blink?

Boom. The ball would snap into her hands, fly out with a whisper and the small smile would play at the corner of her mouth as she was backpedaling before the ball hit nothing but the bottom of the net.

Post high school, she has devoted countless hours to helping other athletes as a trainer, and has two young children who may one day surpass their athletically-gifted parents (husband Matt is a college baseball Hall of Famer).

If so, one can only hope Emily brings them home to the town in which she scorched so many nets.

Our headliner, and the most recent athlete by far, is Miss Bailey, who departs for college this week.

A top-level softball player who also dazzled as a hoops star, a spiker and a booter, McKayla is going in to the Hall as a contributor, and it’s not meant as a slight on her athletic skills.

Girl could whip a fastball.

But, in McKayla’s case, her impact went so far beyond the diamond and I want to acknowledge her unique position.

It’s impossible to overstate how important The Photo Bomb Queen was to the growth of Coupeville Sports.

When she was a freshman, I called her a Diaper Dandy (after which I had to explain to mom Donna who Dick Vitale was and why the term was a GOOD THING, all while Donna chased me through the town waving the beatin’ stick).

For the final three years of her high school days — the first three years of this blog — McKayla was my absolute go-to gold standard for anything and everything.

She would pose for photos until the cows came home (and then corral the cows into some more photos), she perfected the art of photo-bombing like no other (yes, yes, lil’ sis McKenzie has mad skills too) and she would answer every stupid question I asked with style, wit and zing.

McKayla is a great athlete, but she is so much more.

She is smart, she is kind, she is graceful, a vibrant, good-hearted young woman who it was a genuine honor to write about.

I hope she goes out into the world and kicks an unholy amount of booty, whether on the field, in the classroom or just in every day life.

There have been a lot of talented athletes in Coupeville, past, present, and surely in the future. There are also a lot of very entertaining ones.

But McKayla, there will never, ever be another McKayla Bailey.

I am so glad I get the chance to honor you, even in this small way.

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Hop in the way-back machine!!

Posted in Football, tagged 9/11, Brad Sherman, CHS Wolves, Dustin Van Velkinburgh, football, Jevon Butler, Joe Kelley on August 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Dustin Van Velkinburgh (Allison Roethle photo)

Dustin Van Velkinburgh played receiver, defensive back, kicker and punter in 2001. (Allison Roethle photo)

Joe Kelley, seen here with wife Lindsey, recorded 142 tackles during his senior season. (Photo poached from Lindsey Kelley)

Every season has its stories.

The 2001 Coupeville High School football season wasn’t an especially spectacular one.

The Wolves went 3-6, losing their final four games, while 9/11, which occurred between the first and second games of the season, cast a pall over things.

But, there were highlights, from a rampaging duo on defense to a high-rolling offense, all while current CHS coach Dustin Van Velkinburgh was money as a lights-out kicker.

As I’ve been plowing through a mountain of paper work left behind by Wolf assistant coach Tom Roehl, I found bits and pieces of info from a lot of seasons.

But, for some reason, 2001 was the one single season where every stat sheet fell into my fingers with ease, and it’s the one season I can recreate in its entirety, despite not having covered the action in person, as I was deep into my Videoville days at the time.

So, here we go.

Why? Why not.

Game 1: The best and worst game wrapped into one, as Coupeville takes a 14-0 lead into the fourth at King’s, but can’t hang on.

Daniel McDonald busts in to the end zone twice, on runs of four and 35 yards, to stake the Wolves to the lead, while Matt Helm picks off two passes, but the host Knights scramble back for two late scores.

King’s QB Chris Faidley scores on a 15-yard keeper, then tosses a scoring strike to Robb Waidburger to force overtime. Once there, he hits Charlie Waidburger for the go-ahead touchdown.

Coupeville answers back, with Brad Sherman finding Helm on a touchdown toss, but in a move lost to time, the Wolves go for the win on a two-point conversion, and fail.

Van Velkinburgh went 22 for 23 kicking extra points, but CHS coach Ron Bagby opts to roll the dice and loses 21-20.

“We went for two on a 31 TE hot. Fake the dive and throw to the tight end. It was intercepted,” Van Velkinburgh said. “We controlled most of that game and King’s made every conceivable play down the stretch to force overtime.”

Game 2: Sherman lights up Tacoma Baptist for 374 yards through the air and four touchdowns (three to Brian Fakkema, who rolls up 168 yards), but the Wolves get killed on the ground in a 49-26 loss.

Josh Bousman rambles for 220 yards as the hosts amass 384 rushing yards, and while Wolves Joe Kelley and Mike Smart each collect 11 tackles, not enough of them are of the big-play variety.

Game 3: Making its home debut, Coupeville romps to a 42-13 dismantling of Charles Wright Academy.

Showing their best balance of the season, the Wolves get 211 yards rushing (McDonald has 172 and scores three times) and 187 yards passing (Helm has 101 yards receiving and two TD’s).

The future Coach V is a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points, while Kelley is on a rampage, with 19 tackles. It will not be his largest total of the season, however.

Game 4: The Wolves are starting to roll, decimating Life Christian 50-7 as everyone goes wild.

Sherman tosses three touchdowns, all to different receivers, McDonald tosses in two scores on the ground and J.D. Myers and Casey Mitchell get their first touchdowns of the season.

The ground game? Kind of a blowout, as CHS pounds the visitors 371 to (-13).

The Wolf defense is pumped up all night long, with nine sacks, picks by Kelley and Scott Fisher and a fumble recovery from Brandon Mazdra.

Game 5: The winning streak hits three, as Coupeville crushes Concrete 31-17 on the road behind a 199-yard, three-touchdown performance from McDonald.

The Wolf junior crosses the 100-yard rushing barrier seven times in nine games in 2001, amassing 1,184 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Schuyler Porter has his second straight two-sack game on defense, Kelley tosses in 15 more tackles and Smart amasses a stat line that goes off the sheet (12 tackles, a sack, two tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery).

Game 6: A step back, as the Wolves fall 24-8 at Archbishop Murphy.

Smart and Kelley net 19 tackles apiece, but they spend a lot of time on the field, as ATM sophomore running back Jevon Butler rolls up 227 yards.

It is a feeling other teams will experience a lot, as Butler goes on to rush for 227 yards against Royal while leading the Wildcats to a 1A state title game win in 2002.

He’s a two-time 1A state player of the year and later plays at the University of Idaho.

His time as a Vandal is marred, however, when he is charged with battery following an incident in which Butler and companions allegedly jump from a vehicle and attack two men on a street in Moscow.

Game 7: Bad start, late rally, as Coupeville falls behind 21-0 after the first quarter, scores twice in the fourth, but can’t get all the way back in a 21-13 loss at home to Friday Harbor.

A pass defense that held ATM to six yards a week before gives up 222 to Friday Harbor slinger Brett Percich, the only time CHS will be severely stung through the air in 2001.

McDonald counters with 167 yards on the ground, Kelley and Smart combine for 32 tackles and Craig Youderian nets two tackles for loss. Van Velkinburgh recovers a fumble, but misses a PAT for the only time in his stellar senior campaign.

Game 8: Three straight wins, now three straight losses as the Wolves fall 35-21 at Orcas Island, despite out-gaining their hosts on the ground (176-94) and through the air (161-153).

Of all the games in 2001, this is the one where if you only have the stats, as I do, it doesn’t make much sense.

McDonald ran for another 153 yards, Sherman hit Fakkema on a 66-yard scoring strike and three Wolves were in double digits for tackles, led by Kelley’s season-high 20.

Nothing much stands out for Orcas. They scored 22 in the second quarter — obviously the difference-maker — but none of the scoring plays look especially impressive on paper.

Sometimes stats lie. Apparently I needed to be there to understand this one.

Game 9: The late-season collapse hits its finale, as CHS falls 20-10 to La Conner at home, leaving the Wolves at 1-4 in conference play.

The only time the Wolves went under 100 yards with their passing attack, the game does feature a 27-yard field goal off of Van Velkinburgh’s toe, a Geoff Hageman interception and 19 more tackles from Kelley.

The game marks the end of the run for seniors Van Velkinburgh, Smart, Kelley, Austin Porter, Rob Fasolo, Chris Wynkoop, Hageman, Helm, Schuyler Porter, James Meek, Ken McGregor and Sean Callahan.

While the 3-6 record isn’t pretty, Kelley records an astonishing 142 tackles (which SHOULD be the single-season record on the school’s board), Smart collects 119 on his way to being named team MVP and the offense rolls up 3,013 yards (334.7 a game).

14 years later, the team is spread out, young men now turned into guys in their early 30’s. A tragic car accident claimed Smart in 2005, but his memory lives on through his teammates.

2001 wasn’t a title team, maybe, but it owns a potent piece of Wolf football lore. A piece that lives on thanks to a stack of stat sheets jammed into a filing cabinet.

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Making their papas proud!!

Posted in Girls Basketball, tagged 3 on 3, Anthony Smith, Basketball, CMS Wolves, Dustin Van Velkinburgh on August 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Call ’em undefeated. Call ’em best in tourney. Call ’em (l to r) Kaci French, Kayleigh Bungard, Malaysia Smith and Kylie Van Velkinburgh. (Dawn Bungard photos)

The champs celebrate with CHS boys’ hoop coach (and proud dad) Anthony Smith.

Like father, like daughter.

Sparked by the offspring of two Coupeville High School basketball coaches, a group of sixth grade girls swept to an undefeated record and a championship at a tourney in Arlington this weekend.

The four-player squad rolled through the 3-on-3 tourney like pros and left their papas with huge grins.

“Loving some summer hoops and watching my little one grow,” said CHS boys’ JV hoops coach Dustin Van Velkinburgh. “Very proud of this group of girls and the way they battled.”

Dustin’s daughter Kylie, who will be moving up to Coupeville Middle School in a few weeks, was joined by Malaysia Smith, Kayleigh Bungard and Kaci French.

Those three are from Ferndale, with Malaysia being the daughter of Wolf boys’ varsity coach Anthony Smith.

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Closin’ like a boss!!

Posted in Boys Basketball, tagged Basketball, CHS Wolves, DeAndre Mitchell, Dustin Van Velkinburgh, Hunter Smith, L.A. Lakers Showtime on February 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Hunter Smith dropped 17 in the season finale Monday. (John Fisken photo)

They will hurt you from everywhere.

Raining down pain on visiting Klahowya in the paint, out of the paint, sometimes from almost out in the parking lot, the Coupeville High School JV boys’ basketball team closed its season Monday with a bang.

Paced by 17 from Hunter Smith and 15 from DeAndre Mitchell, the Wolves crunched the Eagles 54-39 to finish with a winning record in their first go-around in the 1A Olympic League.

The young guns won eight of their final 13 games, turning around an 0-5 start to finish 8-10 overall, 5-4 in league play.

They took the season series from both Port Townsend and Klahowya.

The Wolves came out running and gunning Monday like vintage ’80s L.A. Lakers Showtime, with Mitchell standing in for James Worthy and Smith dealing the ball like Magic in his prime.

Throwing down 11 points in the first eight minutes, Mitchell, huge grin flashing at his personal cheering section, was electric.

He opened the game with a sweet jumper, added a couple of free throws, then started launching three-point bombs from improbable angles (and making them).

Where Mitchell left off, Smith and Brian Shank took over.

Smith dropped back-to-back treys of his own to kick things off in the second quarter, as Coupeville took a 19-10 lead and stretched it out to 17 before the half.

When Klahowya tried to stop the ever-slashing Smith from getting to the hoop, he fed big man Shank, who has developed a more-dangerous game as the season has developed.

Primarily an outside shooter last season, the six-foot-one sophomore now shows confidence taking the ball aggressively into the paint and he tore into the Eagles with wild abandon, dropping in several key buckets.

Coupeville saved its most eye-popping play for late in the third.

Launching a break, Smith airmailed a pass down the floor, which hit Mitchell in the hand and deflected perfectly into the waiting grasp of teammate Desmond Bell, who shot to the hoop and laid it up.

Bell later dropped in a three-ball that was so flawless the crowd gasped as it tickled the net on its way down, and the Wolves closed with a crowd-pleasing pack of five freshmen on the floor at the same time.

With their female classmates screaming their approval at decibels rarely heard inside a building, James Vidoni ripped down a rebound and almost tore off an Eagles player’s arm, before Cameron Toomey-Stout dazzled the fans with a season-closing basket.

Shank finished with eight in support of Smith and Mitchell, while Dante Mitchell (6), Bell (5), Toomey-Stout (2) and Joey Lippo (1) rounded out the scorers.

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