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Posts Tagged ‘Lauren Grove’

Strange year, stellar pics

Posted in Photos, tagged , , , , on December 26, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville teaching legend Deb Sherman hangs out with one of the grandkids during a basketball game coached by son Brad. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

This was an unusual task.

With sports shut down most of the year thanks to the ongoing pandemic, selecting the best photos of 2020 was both easier and harder than normal.

For one thing, with virtually no games after February, there were a LOT less pics, and pretty much every sport except for basketball was AWOL.

Still, actually getting down to 20 was once again brutal, especially when it came to cutting from about 24 down to the final group.

But I did it.

So here we go, in no particular order, the photos which stand out to me.

Makana Stone changed continents, but continues to scorch the hardwood. (Photo property of Loughborough University)

Future Wolf stars show their support for current sweet-shooting sensation Hawthorne Wolfe. (Morgan White photo)

Avery Parker proudly displays some of her pandemic artwork. (Corinn Parker photo)

Natalie Hollrigel smushes Mica Shipley for charity. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Mask in place, Kylie Van Velkinburgh joins her CHS softball teammates in a return to action.

Sean Toomey-Stout gets bendy.

Greg White (left) and Larrie Ford share a laugh.

Ty Hamilton splashes home a bucket.

Chelsea Prescott yanks down a rebound.

Ja’Tarya Hoskins fires the javelin right before COVID-19 shut down sports. (Brian Vick photo)

Nick Armstrong grapples for control of the ball. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Sylvia Arnold hugs husband Garrett after being gifted with a restored version of her grandfather’s truck. (Photo courtesy Jerry Helm)

Ryanne Knoblich goes low during volleyball practice. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

A taekwondo champ comes in hot.

Jessenia Camarena claims a loose ball.

Melia Welling celebrates graduation with her mom.

Xavier Murdy slices ‘n dices the South Whidbey defense.

Mica Shipley, with a little help from Gavin St Onge, stands tall.

Lauren Grove, one of the strongest women I’ve written about, remains unbowed while recovering from a kitchen fire. Follow her example as we head to 2021.

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Heart of a giant, soul of a legend

Posted in A freakin' American hero, tagged , , , , , on October 5, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Lauren Grove, kickin’ butt and takin’ names. Always. (Dawnelle Conlisk photo)

Lauren Grove is as tough as they come.

During her time as a Coupeville High School athlete, she impressed me again and again with her grit, her desire, and her unwillingness to back down against any team or any athlete.

That spirit carried her through an impressive prep career, one in which she wore the red and black while competing in track and field, volleyball, soccer, and basketball.

One of only two students from her graduating class to play a sport in all 12 seasons, Grove was a slam-dunk for the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame.

Miss Intense, at work. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Now, though, she is waging the strongest fight of her life, as she recovers from extensive burns suffered in a grease fire in May.

As she faces, and overcomes, every obstacle, Grove is documenting her journey on an Instagram page.

It is raw, unfiltered, and, like Lauren herself, full of hope.

 

To see her progress, pop over to:

https://www.instagram.com/the.burnt.bitch/

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Coupeville rallies for Lauren Grove

Posted in Fundraisers, tagged , , , , on May 14, 2020| Leave a Comment »

Lauren Grove was a strong four-sport athlete during her time at CHS. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Slicin’ ‘n dicin’ on the hardwood.

Grove lays out to make a save on the pitch.

Whether you live near or far, you can help Lauren Grove.

The 2017 Coupeville High School grad, who captured four state track and field meet medals, and was a solid basketball, soccer, and volleyball player for the Wolves, is currently at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

She suffered third degree burns in a home grease fire this past weekend, and is set for a second round of surgeries Friday.

In positive news, Lauren has been moved out of ICU and friends of the family have begun to set up a support network for her and her family.

If you’d like to help with medical expenses, donations can be made on the Venmo app:

https://venmo.com/lauren-grove-0?fbclid=IwAR1xJ8erX4B_9qKsJbJEedDtiGJcVrmjeL3RojzBA3bkgYFF2eNhad7v4kc

An account is also being set up at Peoples Bank.

Amy Briscoe, whose daughter Tiffany graduated with Lauren, is selling home-baked pies this weekend to raise money as well.

She will have peach, apple, blueberry, and strawberry, and the suggested donation is $15.

Pies can be picked up at 825 Wanamaker Road, and paid for with cash, check, or Facebook Pay.

Social distancing protocol will be in place for all pie pick-ups.

For info or questions, contact Briscoe at albriscoe1074@gmail.com.

 

To follow Lauren’s progress, pop over to:

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurengrove/journal

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Lauren, you are loved

Posted in Whidbey's Best, tagged , , , , on May 11, 2020| 1 Comment »

Lauren Grove

Lauren Grove always impressed me.

Go back, before she set records, before she was one of the few Wolves to play a sport in every one of their 12 high school seasons, and there was a young girl just entering high school.

Standing behind me in the entrance to the Coupeville High School gym, Lauren pointed over my shoulder at the CHS track and field record board.

“I’m going to be up there. I promise you.”

Then she smiled and walked away.

And you know what? Lauren didn’t lie.

By the time she graduated in 2017, sure enough, her name was up on the big board, multiple times.

She also had four state track meet medals, one of just seven Wolf girls to reach that number in school history.

Along the way, Lauren was also an accomplished volleyball, soccer, and basketball athlete, a strong student, a great big sister, and a much-loved baby sitter.

Three years later, she faces the biggest challenge of her life, and I hope she knows how much support she has.

Lauren suffered severe burns this weekend in a grease fire, and is at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.

She had extensive surgery Monday, and a second surgery is scheduled for Friday.

Lauren’s mother, Mindy, is posting updates on an online journal, which you can find here:

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/laurengrove

If you have a moment, consider leaving a message for Lauren, or for her family.

This is a rough situation, made worse by the ongoing pandemic restricting access for loved ones at hospitals.

Miss Grove, know that you are not alone. Ever.

You have a (Wolf) Nation behind you, and we are here for you, in mind and spirit.

I have seen the intensity in your eyes, and witnessed your accomplishments. I know the size of your heart.

Ask me what I believe in, and the answer is simple – I believe in you, Lauren.

Always.

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The picture of excellence!!

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , , on May 21, 2017| Leave a Comment »

   Lucy Sandahl (8) and Mallory Kortuem head for the finish line in the 800 at Saturday’s West Central District 3 track meet. (John Fisken photos)

   Wolf throwers (l to r) Skyler Lawrence, Allison Wenzel and Alexxis Otto smile for the camera after kickin’ butt and takin’ ribbons in the discus.

   Ariah Bepler drops over the bar on his way to winning the high jump, punching his ticket to state.

CHS senior Lauren Grove is headed back to state for a third, and final, time.

Ashlie Shank advertises her school while waiting for her event.

Hiding from the paparazzi.

Naika Hallam fires the javelin skyward.

   Landing with a splash in the triple jump, foreign exchange student Aurora Zanardi ends her American high school track days.

For some, it was the next step. For others, the final stop.

But, regardless of whether they advanced to state or not, all the Coupeville High School track stars competing at the district meet in Renton Saturday got a chance to shine in front of John Fisken’s camera.

The photos above are courtesy him.

To see much more (purchases fund college scholarships for CHS student/athletes), pop over to:

http://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/2017-Coupeville-Track/20170520-District-Track-meet-day-2/

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