Three nominees in one photo — (l to r) Ben Etzell, Breeanna Messner and Nick Streubel. (Robert Bishop photo)
Julia “Elbows” Myers. (John Fisken photos)
Maddie Big Time.
Let’s get it on.
Coupeville High School has given out its athletic awards, but now comes the one you, the readers, control — the 2nd annual coupevillesports.com Athlete Supreme.
Nick Streubel edged Caleb Valko last year in the inaugural battle for a title that is worth a few bragging points and not much else.
Though, with the way the vote got super-intense at the end last time, you would have thought there was money on the line.
While we still haven’t come up with a trophy yet, this year’s winner will take over the banner photo across the top of this blog for a period of time. So there’s that.
A distinguished panel of judges (me and a plate of chocolate chip cookies…) chose 12 nominees, six girls and six boys.
Some were slam dunks while the battle for the sixth slot on each side was brutal.
After much debate (and some milk to go with the cookies), I decided to NOT nominate any one-sport athletes.
While Abraham Leyva scorched the soccer net and Christine Fields ripped up the golf course, it was hard to ignore those who chose to play two or three sports and excel in them all.
Leyva and Fields had great seasons (so did softball player Madeline Roberts), but the 12 athletes I finally narrowed my list down to had great years. My call, and I’m sticking to it.
But now it’s your call.
The vote ends Sunday, June 8 when I get home from work (so that’s late at night) and I’ll announce the winner first thing Monday morning.
With apologies to McKayla Bailey, Kacie Kiel, Lathom Kelley, Aaron Trumbull and several other almost-nominees (next year can be yours!) here are my 12:
Josh Bayne — Two-way threat in football and a Second-Team All-Conference baseball player.
Aaron Curtin — Went to state in both of his sports, tennis and baseball.
Ben Etzell — First CHS player ever picked as an MVP in the 1A/2A Cascade Conference, honored for a baseball season in which he threw a no-hitter in one game, struck out 15 in another and tossed 143 pitches in a third. Went to state in baseball and as Curtin’s doubles partner.
Amanda Fabrizi — Standout volleyball and basketball player who became a big-time scorer on the hardwood during her senior season.
Hailey Hammer — Has been so consistent for so long, this three-sport star (volleyball, basketball, softball) sometimes gets overlooked. Shouldn’t.
Wiley Hesselgrave — Huge hitter on the gridiron and a rampaging force of nature on the basketball court.
Breeanna Messner — Miss Consistency. Four-sport star (volleyball, cheer, basketball, softball) who led CHS softball to state for the first time in 12 seasons.
Julia Myers — MVP of soccer squad after returning from an injury that cost her a season, then emulated Dennis Rodman on the basketball court, where she was a defensive beast.
Makana Stone — Smooth soccer player, high-flying, high-scoring basketball whiz and a record-bustin’ track phenom who is on her way to rewriting the CHS record book. Placed second in the 400 at the state track meet.
Madeline Strasburg — AKA Maddie Big Time. Big hitter in volleyball who made her name by nailing mirror image half-court three-point bombs from the left side at the third-quarter buzzer in back-to-back basketball games. Then crushed home runs at home and away to help propel softball to state.
Nick Streubel — All-State lineman in football, he signed a scholarship with Central Washington. Went on to be one of the leading scorers on the boys’ hoops team and the Wolves’ top thrower during track season.
Jake Tumblin — Rushed for 1,000+ yards while limited by injuries as a two-way football threat, then anchored baseball with his speed at the plate and his game-calling as the team’s catcher.
***POLL CLOSED AT 10:57 PM SUNDAY***
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