Lyla Stuurmans, bein’ awesome. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The smile, above all.
In three decades-plus of writing about prep athletes on Whidbey Island, I have rarely witnessed one so full of joy as Lyla Stuurmans.
She was as competitive as they come, always striving to be the best, to set the records, to reach heights few others could.
But with every hustle play, with every moment where she transcended “really good” and claimed ownership of “truly great,” it was her attitude which truly set her apart.
I have witnessed Lyla be part of huge wins and painful losses, seen her celebrate achievements which will be long remembered and comfort her teammates when the last wisps of hope had faded.
I have even seen her ejected from a game by the world’s stupidest, grumpiest ref — a crusty curmudgeon who should have retired on the spot in shame.
And through it all, through countless hours of practice, through the moments where she overcame injury, through joyous screams and sad tears, Lyla has shone with a rare light.
Like Makana Stone or Valen Trujillo or Jae LeVine before her, the eldest of Scott and Sarah Stuurman’s four kids operates on a different plane than most of us.
She truly is one of the special ones, as an athlete yes, but also as a human being.
Which is why I am so glad that most of her school sports memories will be positive ones. For that is what Lyla deserves.
During her days at Coupeville High School, she was a bonafide star in three sports — volleyball, basketball, and track and field — but I honestly believe she would have excelled at any athletic activity she chose.
Lil’ Lyla was a rampaging force of nature on the soccer pitch, and a quality babysitter. (Photo courtesy Scott Stuurmans)
On a volleyball court, Lyla was a springy, power-hitting assassin who grew up to thrash the ball like few other Wolves have.
She helped lead her squad to state twice, with her senior season being the most successful one in program history.
With Lyla ringing up 200 kills, 113 digs, 22 solo blocks, 19 block assists, and 30 service aces, the Wolves went 18-2, won league and bi-district titles, were undefeated until the final day of the season, and finished 4th at the 2B state tourney.
Her ability to fill up the stat sheet did not go unnoticed, as she was the Northwest 2B/1B League MVP and an All-State selection for her final campaign.
The artist at work. (Bailey Thule photo)
On the hardwood, Lyla became the first girl in CHS history to play five seasons of varsity basketball and was a starter right out of the gate as an eighth grader.
She currently sits #46 all-time on the career scoring charts with 257 points for a program which launched in 1974 but was always about more than just popping jumpers.
A smooth passer, Lyla was also a fireball on defense, making off with countless steals and proving to be surprisingly tough while cleaning the boards, helping her earn Defensive MVP as a senior.
Filling up the trophy case. (Photo courtesy Scott Stuurmans)
Once spring arrived, she would head out to the oval and try and conquer all the events. All of them, I said!
Lyla advanced to state all four years, qualifying nine times and bringing home three medals, topped by a 2nd place performance in the 4 x 400 relay as a sophomore.
Overall, she racked up 39 wins across nine(!) events, including claiming district titles in the 400, 800, and 4 x 4.
In a high school track world where most athletes latch on to a couple of events, Lyla proved to be an equal opportunity champ, winning in the 400, 800, 1600, 3200, long jump, triple jump, 2K steeplechase, 4 x 2, and 4 x 4.
She competed in 18 different events as a Wolf, and qualified to vie in the heptathlon at the Washington State Combined Events Championship after her junior season.
Jumping for joy – Lyla’s default mode. (Jackie Saia photo)
The numbers are impressive, but the young woman behind the stats is the real gem.
If there was a challenge, Lyla accepted it, tackling every obstacle with a grin.
She feared no rival but competed with such class and joy that opposing coaches and players often were swept away by her exuberance.
Athletes come and athletes go. Scorebooks yellow with age, trophies gather dust, but the memories linger and deepen over time.
She’s only been gone from CHS a couple of months, having moved on to blast winners in college spiker showdowns.
But whether it’s today, or years from now, when Coupeville fans remember Lyla, they will know they witnessed something rare.
They will remember the skill, the passion, the commitment, and the joy, the boundless joy, and they will say, “She was the best of Coupeville, in every way.”
So, I’m sure it comes as absolutely no surprise that today we swing open the doors on the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame and induct her into our little digital shrine.
After this, you’ll find Lyla hanging out at the top of the blog under the Legends tab.
And you’ll find her out there in the real world, living her life and being excellent, which is the ultimate win.
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