Jacob Martin, a leader by example. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
This blog turns nine years old August 15, and to mark the occasion, I’m picking what I view as the best nine Wolf athletes from each active CHS sport.
To be eligible, you had to play for the Wolves between Aug. 2012-Aug. 2021, AKA the “Coupeville Sports” years.
So here we go. Each day between Aug. 1-15, a different sport and (probably) a different argument.
They hit harder, they ran faster, they had a chip on their shoulder.
The nine Wolf football players who made my cut as the best from the blog era often played different positions, but each one left it all out there on the field.
No dancing around on the sidelines, very little chirping at the refs or rivals — just a willingness to put in the work, and a desire to be as good as they could be.
Lathom Kelley, a bad-ass with a huge heart.
Josh Bayne — Could score every time he touched the ball, and his tackles? In the words of coach Chris Tumblin — “Josh had one tackle on a receiver, folded him in half like a cheap hooker who was punched in the gut by her pimp. He had to sit out for awhile and wait for his liver to start working again.”
Wiley Hesselgrave — Old school attitude in a new school body. The ultimate lunch box player, he attacked relentlessly on both sides of the ball, and then, when it was over, quietly walked over, took off the pads, and moved on to the next stage in his life.
Lathom Kelley — A wrecking ball. Dude has no quit, not then, not now, not ever. An utter delight to watch as he wrecked fools on both sides of the ball.
Jacob Martin — A leader and captain who led by example, the guy who did all the dirty jobs without a complaint. Like his younger brother, Andy, (who missed this list by an extraordinarily-thin whisker), a gamer who earned respect from teammates and foes alike.
Hunter Smith — Owns multiple program records on both sides of the ball after rampaging as a receiver with ever-sure hands and a defensive back with … ever-sure hands. His biggest moment, however? Working relentlessly behind the scenes to make sure a teammate received proper credit for an interception Smith was originally, and incorrectly, credited with.
Nick Streubel — “The Big Hurt” anchored both lines, was an All-Conference lock, and went on to a super-successful college gridiron career. And then there was that one time when Wolf coaches gave him the ball on a rushing attempt, and he dragged nine Chimacum defenders, screaming, into a mud puddle the size of Alaska. Legendary.
Cameron Toomey-Stout — As a freshman, he was less than 100 pounds, yet had no fear. As a veteran, he would line up opposite his younger brother and the pair would race each other down-field for the honor of ripping the ball returner in half. Also a fantastic receiver, even when he was being triple-teamed.
Sean Toomey-Stout — The Natural. In a sea of hard workers, he goes beyond, which is why he’s currently on the U-Dub roster. Earned worldwide viral fame for racing a deer on a touchdown run, and if you say he ever missed a tackle in four years, well, you’re lying.
Jake Tumblin — He’s not stumblin’, he’s rumblin’, cause he’s Jake Tumblin! So fast, so explosive, all the talent, but an even bigger heart. Wanted it more than everyone else, and never stopped working.
Wiley Hesselgrave will devour your soul.
Up next: Back to the hardwood for the best girls players.
Coupeville Sports 