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Posts Tagged ‘Preston Epp’

Games done, pitch pics continue to sprout

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , , on November 6, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Tamsin Ward stares down the incoming soccer ball. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The season is done, but photos continue to show up.

Various paparazzi covered the games played by the co-ed Coupeville High School soccer squads, and their cameras continue to spit out digital images long after the final shot on goal was registered.

The pics above and below come to us courtesy John Fisken.

To see everything he shot this season (we think), pop over to:

https://www.johnsphotos.net/Sports/Coupeville-Soccer-2024-2025

 

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Some history, some frustration

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , on September 17, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Matthew Ward pushes the attack. (Finn Price photo)

Friday Harbor has been to the mountain top, while Coupeville is still trying to learn all the tricks of the ascent.

A Wolverines boys’ soccer program which has a state title in its resume showed calmness under pressure Tuesday, turning a one-goal game into a runaway win on the road.

Unable to hold on to an early lead, the CHS co-ed booters eventually fell 8-3 in a game in which the final score was a bit deceptive.

The non-conference loss to a conference team (just go with it) drops the Wolves to 0-2-1 on the still-young season.

While Coupeville coach Robert Wood was understandably frustrated afterward — “The captains and coaches are talking how and what needs to change to ensure we can hold a one-goal lead indefinitely” — the game was close for 50+ minutes.

Trailing just 4-3, the Wolves were looking to knot the score in the second half, only to watch Friday Harbor suddenly slip away.

Two goals in a 90-second span widened the margin to 6-3, before the Wolverines tacked on another pair of scores in the waning minutes.

Coupeville goaltender Hurlee Bronec had several strong saves in the second half, including one where he snuffed out a shot at point-blank range, but he was also under fire almost constantly.

Wolf goaltender Hurlee Bronec punishes the soccer ball. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A pair of yellow cards assessed to the Wolves also seemed to put a hitch in their get-up-and-go, and a late rally never materialized.

The loss came despite a strong offensive effort in the first half from Coupeville.

Playing their second-straight home game at Mickey Clark Field, the Wolves broke through first when Angel Partida bashed home a goal less than four minutes into play.

Netting his team-best third score of the season, he gave CHS an advantage which it didn’t hold for long.

Amid much confusion, Friday Harbor broke the plane of the goal (or did it?) to knot the game at 1-1, though it took the ref an eternity to signal the score as actually having happened.

The other five goals in the first half were far more convincing, starting with Wolf senior Preston Epp pulling off a sweet move after the opposing goalie tried, and failed, to clear the ball out in front of his net.

Instead of snatching the bouncing orb up, the Friday Harbor netminder poked at it with his leg but sent it right to Epp by accident.

Not willing to look a gift horse in the mouth, the Wolf sharpshooter promptly spanked the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the year, and eighth of his prep career.

Unfortunately for Coupeville, their foes then gave a preview of their lightning-fast ability to score, banking in three scores in a span of four minutes to reclaim the lead.

Trailing 4-2, the Wolves scored right before the end of the half, beating the clock and the odds when a long, booming shot by Cael Wilson took an advantageous bounce and nicked off of a defender.

Cael Wilson surveys the defense. (Finn Price photo)

Whether he knew it or not at the moment, Wilson, a current senior who has been a varsity player since 8th grade, became the first player in CHS soccer history to score in five separate seasons.

Known for his scrappy defense, he has also tallied seven goals, giving his family 20, when you add in the 13 scored by now-graduated older brother Aidan.

A third brother, freshman Edmund Wilson, also saw some varsity field time, then came back around to anchor the Wolf JV as they played a 30-minute “friendly” in their season debut as a team.

“It was really great to see the JV game,” Robert Wood said.

“The kids did well; many learning points, and honestly, they did really, really good for that being the first time they saw a live opponent.”

His fellow Wolf coach, Kimberly Kisch, agreed.

“Good to see some of the kids who aren’t especially experienced get out there and begin to put things together,” she said.

Brynn Parker and Josh Lujan, both returning from injury, drew praise for their play while 8th grader Brian Thompson set up Frankie Tenore, who drilled in a buzzer-beating goal on her final run of the day.

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Tough league, big dreams

Posted in soccer, tagged , , , , on September 9, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Preston Epp is headed into his fifth, and final, season as a Wolf booter. (Jackie Saia photo)

They’re bringing everyone.

With the girls’ program sidelined by low turnout numbers, the Coupeville High School soccer team will be a co-ed one for the second straight season.

Wolf boys’ coach Robert Wood, who is headed into his fifth season at the helm, will continue to work with CHS girls’ pitch guru Kimberly Kisch, and the roster will be a mix.

Brynn Parker terrorizes a rival. (Jackie Saia photo)

Among the returning female players with previous co-ed experience are Ayden Wyman, Brynn Parker, and Frankie Tenore, while 8th grader sharpshooter Tamsin Ward headlines a group of very promising younger booters.

They’ll join a veteran team which boasts seven returning seniors, including two Wolves capping five-year runs in the red and black.

Preston Epp and Cael Wilson were the first 8th graders to take advantage of Coupeville’s move from 1A to 2B, immediately stepping on to the pitch while still CMS students.

Together, they’ve peppered rival goaltenders for 13 scores, while helping the Wolves bounce from one win to four, then five, and six during their time in uniform.

Coupeville went 6-6 last season, after starting 5-2, while playing in a very-tough nine-team “super conference” created by mixing five Northwest 2B/1B League rivals with four outsiders who join just for soccer.

The NWL has captured eight of the 12 trophies across the last three boys’ soccer state tourneys, with both Friday Harbor and Orcas Island winning titles.

Wolf senior Cael Wilson, who debuted as an 8th grader, has scored at least one goal in each of his four seasons. (Nick Guay photo)

Now the goal for Coupeville is to start strong again, then finisher stronger.

To get there, Wolf coaches will look for their veterans to lead the way.

“Athleticism is big this year, but the soccer IQ is also high with a big returning senior/junior class,” Wood said.

“Teamwork and tactics are better so far this year than in past — still really early,” he added.

“But there’s still an issue with myopic focus on the ball instead of quick play passing and moving the defense to solve an easier problem.”

With a co-ed roster, the Wolves are looking to add some JV games to their schedule and will kick off varsity play Wednesday with a non-conference road game at Auburn Adventist Academy.

After that, Coupeville is home for four of its next five, with a Saturday matinee against Crosspoint Academy offering the first chance for local fans to cram the stands at Mickey Clark Field.

Once again, Wood and Kisch will aim for building a winning mentality while getting both the boys’ and girls’ programs ready for the future.

“Focus is on enjoyment, culture, development, and marketing,” Wood said. “Always interested in soccer IQ and decision making while ensuring a high level of skill and technique.”

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Look back, look ahead, look at some pics

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , on May 22, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Aleksia Jump charges into action. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

One day from departure.

The Coupeville High School track and field program sends 18 athletes to Yakima Thursday, where the 2B state championships await.

The season concludes in a three-day whirl of competition, with most of the activity set for Friday and Saturday, most likely under warmer temps than we currently have on Whidbey.

As the Wolves count down the hours until they leave town, here’s a look back at action from the bi-district meet in Coupeville.

Mason Butler

Preston Epp

Aleera Kent (left) and Kayla Crane

Zane Oldenstadt

Axel Marshall

Reese Wilkinson

Katie Marti

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Wild weather, titanic throws

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , , on April 20, 2024| Leave a Comment »

It’s hammer time for Coupeville throwers (left to right) Katie Marti, Erica McGrath, and Mason Butler. (Bob Martin photo)

Survive and thrive.

That’s the goal at large track and field meets like Saturday’s Lil’ Norway Invitational at North Kitsap High School.

Call it a success then, as Coupeville, repping one of the smallest student bodies at the 20-team event, held its own, garnering a win in the girls’ discus and 12 PRs.

Wolf senior Reese Wilkinson brought home the title, emerging from a field of 33 throwers.

Not only did she set a PR, but she finished seven feet, six inches ahead of the #2 thrower.

Reese Wilkinson stands tall. (Mich Johnson photo)

Also having a strong day chucking things was junior Katie Marti, who earned third place finishes in both the javelin and the hammer throw.

She was making her debut in the latter event and was joined by fellow first-timers Erica McGrath and Mason Butler.

Lynden, a powerhouse at the 2A level, held off North Kitsap to claim both the girls and boys team titles, while the Wolf girls made a strong statement, finishing eighth.

As often happens during “spring” in Washington state, the day was full of weather twists and turns.

“Mother Nature never ceases to surprise us with what she has in store for us on our weekend invitationals,” said CHS coach Elizabeth Bitting.

“What started out as a beautiful sunny, warm day ended with gusty winds, light rain, no power and freezing cold athletes.

“Thank goodness those in charge of timing had a generator so the meet could continue.”

While many of the athletes in attendance hailed from large schools, the Wolves never flinched from the challenge.

“Our athletes held up nicely next to the bigger schools,” Bitting said. “There were a few who just missed out on the podium but regardless ran, threw and jumped well.”

Coupeville returns to action next week, with its final two regular season meets.

The Wolves are slated to travel to Lynden Thursday, then to Lakewood next Saturday, before veering off to start the postseason the week after.

Kayla Crane flies for the line. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

 

Saturday’s results:

 

GIRLS:

100 — Issabel Johnson (24th) 14.50; Frankie Tenore (38th) 17.60

200 — Lyla Stuurmans (7th) 29.22

400 — Ivy Rudat (24th) 1:16.58; Reagan Callahan (28th) 1:22.58

800 — Kayla Crane (17th) 2:51.97 *PR*; Callahan (27th) 3:31.41 *PR*

1600 — Crane (16th) 6:24.00 *PR*; Callahan (25th) 7:48.63 *PR*

3200 — Aleksia Jump (18th) 15:59.50

100 Hurdles — Lexis Drake (22nd) 21.60 *PR*; Myra McDonald (24th) 21.93

300 Hurdles — Drake (22nd) 59.00

4 x 100 Relay — Jump, Carly Burt, Johnson, Jasmine Castellanos (11th) 57.70

4 x 200 Relay — Stuurmans, Burt, Johnson, Castellanos (12th) 1:58.90

4 x 400 Relay — Rudat, Castellanos, Drake, Burt (9th) 5:08.79

DMR 4000 Relay — Rudat, Lydia Price, Crane, Jump (6th) 16:45.87

Shot Put — Reese Wilkinson (6th) 29-08.75; Katie Marti (8th) 29-07

Discus — Wilkinson (1st) 105-09 *PR*; Erica McGrath (6th) 80-03

Javelin — Marti (3rd) 92-08

Hammer Throw — Marti (3rd) 78-09 *PR*; McGrath (6th) 65-02 *PR*

High Jump — Tenore (19th) 4-00; McDonald (19th) 4-00

Pole Vault — Burt (6th) 7-00; Jump (11th) 6-06

Long Jump — Stuurmans (13th) 13-06; Rudat (22nd) 11-02

 

Blake Burrows reaches down and finds a different gear. (Thomas Studer photo)

 

BOYS:

100 — Marquette Cunningham (22nd) 12.27; Davin Houston (28th) 12.86

200 — Nick Guay (17th) 25.39

400 — Preston Epp (16th) 55.34; Nehemiah Myles (18th) 55.43 *PR*

800 — Carson Field (22nd) 2:25.65; Thomas Strelow (24th) 2:29.33

1600 — Field (13th) 5:05.61; Malachi Somes (21st) 5:14.30

3200 — George Spear (17th) 11:57.06; Nicholas Wasik (24th) 13:01.97

110 Hurdles — Cael Wilson (12th) 19.26; Axel Marshall (21st) 21.34 *PR*

300 Hurdles — Mikey Robinett (23rd) 50.16; Marshall (30th) 57.02

4 x 100 Relay — Cunningham, Houston, Epp, Guay (10th) 46.80

4 x 200 Relay — Blake Burrows, Marcelo Gebhard, Matthew Ward, Quinten Simpson-Pilgrim (12th) 1:45.93

4 x 400 Relay — Epp, Burrows, Wilson, Guay (10th) 3:53.45

DMR 4000 Relay — Kenneth Jacobsen, Strelow, Somes, Field (4th) 12:19.38

Shot Put — Zac Tackett (15th) 36-11.25; Robinett (20th) 35-02.25

Discus — Tackett (12th) 117-03

Javelin — Gebhard (12th) 116-05 *PR*; Robinett (24th) 97-02

Hammer Throw — Mason Butler (4th) 73-09 *PR*

High Jump — Guay (7th) 5-10; Wilson (17th) 5-04

Pole Vault — Wilson (9th) 10-00; Marshall (13th) 8-06

Long Jump — Myles (21st) 16-06; Alex Merino-Martinez (29th) 13-09

Triple Jump — Cunningham (15th) 35-11.75; Hank Milnes (18th) 34-05.75

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