Hardwood hot shot Kiara Contreras. (Photo courtesy Angella Contreras)
The future is bright for Kiara Contreras.
Not only is the Coupeville Middle School 7th grader a fast-rising star in multiple sports, but, soon, she’ll be able to see her favorite film.
For the first time.
Contreras is beyond thrilled that one of her favorite books, the teen lit tearjerker “Everything, Everything” has been turned into a film which is hitting theaters across America.
She hails the trailer (you can see it at the end of this story) as her favorite thing to watch, saying “the book was awesome!”
When she’s not mainlining her #1 coming attraction, Contreras loves listening to country and hip hop, swimming and working in her wood shop class.
As an athlete, she’s a woman for all seasons, playing volleyball and basketball and running track.
Contreras doubles up as a hoops player, taking the court as a SWISH player in addition to her court time at CMS.
She enjoys the different challenges all of the sports present (“I love them all”) and may branch out further once she hits high school.
“Maybe I’ll add another sport,” Contreras said. “Not sure which one yet!”
She continues to work hard, regardless of the season, and wants to build her strengths in each of her sports.
“In volleyball, my strength is no fear of diving for the ball,” Contreras said. “I need to work on my serving.
“In basketball, my strength is being a point guard and having the ability to get the ball to the other players,” she added. “I need to work on my baskets.”
Contreras is coming off of a debut track season in which she competed for the Wolves across a broad range of events.
“In track, my strength is being able to push myself to the limit,” she said. “I need to work on focusing forward instead of looking at the other racer.”
As she moves forward in her athletic career, Contreras has firm goals (“I want to get to state with my girls!!!”), while getting a great deal of enjoyment from her time as a competitor.
Her family, friends and coaches inspire her, and push the always-in-motion fireball to keep on working and improving with every practice, every game, every meet.
“My mom Angella, pushing me to try a new sport like track and me loving it,” Contreras said. “My cousins, Raven and Willow Vick, for giving me pointers and support with volleyball and track!
“Ja’Kenya Hoskins and Zach Murtha for believing in me and supporting me. Plus pushing me to do better!,” she added. “Mrs. (Elizabeth) Bitting for making me work my hardest everyday!
“Even though we didn’t get McDonald’s…”
Contreras also got a strong emotional boost from a former CHS track star (and state meet veteran) who joined the CMS staff as an assistant coach this spring.
“Larry (Hurlburt) for giving me the courage to do the 200 by your awesome high fives!”
The outgoing Contreras gets many benefits from playing sports, but one special strong point for her has been the chance to get to know others, and not just on her own team.
“It’s a great way to learn to work together with others,” she said. “Meeting new friends on the other teams, like Aspen, who plays sports for Forks.
Ben Smith set PRs in two events Tuesday during a home CMS track meet. (Deb Smith photo)
Kiara Contreras (left) and Ja’Kenya Hoskins amuse themselves between events. (Susan Hulst photo)
Success is in their DNA.
An astonishing 17 of the 20 Coupeville Middle School track and field athletes who competed Tuesday set at least one PR.
Part of the success might have stemmed from the Wolves being able to run and throw at a facility they are well acquainted with, cause it’s their own.
The lone home meet of the CMS season, it featured Coupeville facing off with Chimacum and Blue Heron (Port Townsend) and was held under rare sunny skies.
While all of the Wolves had strong days, Bella Velasco and Ja’Kenya Hoskins led the way, both nabbing PRs in all four of their events.
Coupeville has one regular season meet left on the schedule — a trip to Sequim May 16 — then wraps the year with the league championships at Forks May 24.
100 — Jake Mitten 12.72 *PR*; Aiden Burdge 13.35 *PR*; Downes 13.50 *PR*; Zach Murtha 13.75 *PR*, Ben Smith 14.00 *PR*; James Mayne 15.35 *PR*; Gabe Shaw 15.50; Alex Jimenez 16.12 *PR*; Trystan Ford 16.69
Cookies are handed out for PRs. (Elizabeth Bitting photo)
A Wolf prepares to heave the shot put into the great wide open. (Deb Smith photo)
Track — a whole lot of waiting around, followed by running as fast as you can, then waiting some more for your next event. (Susan Hulst photo)
It was a day for PRs, and cookies.
Competing at a three-team meet in Port Townsend Wednesday, the Coupeville Middle School track squad ripped up its record books.
Logan Martin smashed his PR in the turbo javelin by an astonishing 47 feet, and that was just the start.
Others making big moves included Ben Smith (a 24-foot improvement in the javelin), Emily Fiedler (a 10-foot jump in the same event) and Catherine Lhamon (a 22-second time drop in the 800).
“I could go on and on!! It was a good day!!!,” said CMS coach Elizabeth Bitting.
The Wolves return home for their first meet on the school’s new track Tuesday, May 9.
100 — Jake Mitten 12.81; Aiden Burdge 13.75; Downes 14.02; Ben Smith 14.28; Zach Murtha 14.58, Gabe Shaw 15.48; Trystan Ford 16.08; Alex Jimenez 16.78; James Mayne 17.37
Coupeville Sports 