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CHS Principal resigns

Posted in Everything changes, tagged , , , on April 15, 2025| Leave a Comment »

CHS/CMS Principal Geoff Kappes has stepped down. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Coupeville High School/Middle School Principal Geoff Kappes, who has been out since late last year, has resigned his position.

“After careful consideration I have decided to resign as principal of CMHS,” he said in a statement.

“Thank you for allowing me to serve as your principal.

“It has been such a privilege to witness our children grow and flourish,” he added. “Every day, I have been inspired by their determination and kindness.

“Watching them develop into thoughtful, capable young adults has been the most rewarding aspect of my role.”

Kappes, who has been a teacher, coach, and administrator during two tours of duty in Coupeville schools, was part of a team which helped the district make it successfully through the pandemic.

He and wife Christie, a teacher at the high school, have two sons who attend Coupeville schools, and the family has been at the forefront of community activity.

While his next job will be someplace else, Geoff Kappes said he has been greatly impacted by his time in Wolf Nation.

“The academic achievements, artistic performances, athletic successes, and acts of service I’ve witnessed have reinforced my belief in the extraordinary potential of Coupeville kids,” he said.

“I will carry the memories of my time here with me always and I wish you the best of luck.”

Geoff Kappes and CHS/CMS Assistant Principal Allyson Cundiff were placed on “non-disciplinary leave pending an investigation” Dec. 16, though district officials declined to say why.

A records request by the Whidbey News-Times surfaced documents related to the handling of two incidents.

One involved a “club” which made social media posts threatening sexual assault of ethnic minority individuals, and one involved the sharing of a video allegedly depicting an off-campus assault.

Records show three students were expelled while others received suspensions in relation to the two unrelated incidents.

Cundiff was brought back in “a new capacity” Mar. 19, with Coupeville Schools Superintendent Shannon Leatherwood saying Cundiff would “be helping with various administrative tasks that support our school buildings and student needs.”

In a statement Tuesday, Leatherwood indicated the district intends to “implement a new leadership structure” while thanking Kappes for his work.

“We sincerely appreciate his many years of dedicated service and the positive impact he has made on students and our school community during his tenure,” she wrote.

“We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”

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Spiker guru stepping away

Posted in Volleyball, tagged , , , , on April 1, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Cory Whitmore led CHS volleyball on three trips to the state tourney. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

It’s the end of a remarkable run.

Cory Whitmore, who posted nine consecutive winning seasons during his time as Coupeville High School varsity volleyball coach, has tendered his resignation.

It follows on the heels of JV volleyball coach Ashley Menges stepping down in November to move to Florida.

While the latest news hits on April Fool’s Day, it’s reality, and not a joke.

“Having held this role for the past ten years it has without a doubt been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Whitmore said.

“The memories made, and the relationships built will last a lifetime.

“I am so proud to have worked with incredible young adults, their parents/guardians, colleagues and community members, and I am so grateful to the support I received as we worked together to make the mission and vision possible.”

Whitmore, who teaches at Oak Harbor High School, was hired to coach Wolf volleyball in 2016 after Breanne Smedley left to accept a job with Columbia River.

Coupeville had won seven matches across the previous two seasons but promptly went 11-6 under its new coach.

Whitmore led the CHS spikers to the state tournament in 2017, their first appearance at the big dance since concluding a four-year run in 2004.

The Wolves made it back to the Yakima SunDome in both 2023 and 2024, with this past fall’s team breaking every record in program history.

In what proved to be Whitmore’s final run as its coach, Coupeville was undefeated until the final day of the season, went 18-2, and earned a fourth-place trophy at the 2B tourney.

That was the first state trophy garnered by a Wolf spiker crew.

“I will always be so proud of all that we accomplished, with our primary emphasis being to guide and develop young people into their best versions, successful on and off the court,” Whitmore said.

“I have given my heart and soul to the program, and even through the challenges, I remained determined to rise up and give more and more to reach the goals we set forth.”

Whitmore and husband Cris Matochi celebrate their union with former Wolf spiker star Valen (Trujillo) Printz, who shot their elopement pics.

Putting himself fully into volleyball has been essential to building success, but it has also left the eternally upbeat coach a bit burnt out.

“There have been areas in life that I have neglected a healthy balance,” Whitmore said. “And while I will deeply miss my role as head coach of the program, I do think that those neglected areas deserve as much of my attention.”

During his time at the helm of the CHS program, Whitmore, a top three-sport athlete back in his days in Ritzville, guided multiple Wolf spikers to awards and All-State appearances.

He also built a strong feeder program with the Wolf Pups program, ensuring prospective volleyball players would have a chance to embrace the game from a young age.

Before coming to Coupeville, Whitmore graduated from Washington State University, where he worked as an assistant volleyball coach at Colfax High School during a time when it won two state titles.

He teaches English at OHHS, and coached C-Team volleyball at that school, along with working with the Whidbey Fury club team before taking over the Wolf program.

Whitmore enjoys the All-State game with Wolf seniors Alita Blouin (2) and Maddie Georges. (Suzan Georges photo)

As he exits the CHS gym (or at least won’t live there on a regular basis), Whitmore looks back with pride.

“It was so difficult to come to this decision because I still have so much love for the current, past and potential future players and their families,” he said.

“I still love volleyball; I still believe in the mission and vision for the program.”

And while he won’t be at the head of the program, he will still be around, Coupeville volleyball’s #1 supporter.

“I think to anyone paying attention, you have come to know my passion for serving the young adults in this incredible community, and my love for building up a program we can share in,” Whitmore said.

“To those close to me and in need, don’t ever hesitate to reach out for support – I don’t plan on moving and will continue to enjoy the chance at helping those in my community.

“There is no way to adequately thank all those that have supported me and the program along the way, but I hold so much gratitude to so many in this community.

“Through my role as coach, I’ve also made life-long friends and I’m incredibly grateful to what this journey has given to me.

“Forever and always, Go Wolves!”

 

Whitmore’s CHS volleyball coaching record: 

2016: 11-6
2017: 13-5 (State)
2018: 11-5
2019: 14-5
2020: 6-3 (Partial season – Covid)
2021: 11-6
2022: 10-6
2023: 12-7 (State)
2024: 18-2 (State – 4th)

Total: 106-45

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Booters lose leader

Posted in Boys Soccer, tagged , , , , on March 26, 2025| 1 Comment »

Robert Wood strolls the sideline. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

He kept the program operating through a pandemic, but now the time has come to depart the soccer pitch.

On a full-time basis, at least.

Coupeville High School head boys’ soccer coach Robert Wood has tendered his resignation after five seasons at the helm.

The decision is based on “new job and family commitments (which) require too much time away to continue as head coach.”

Wood pledged he’d still be around and volunteer when able.

He issued the following letter to parents, players, and team supporters:

After a long debate and careful consideration, I send you this note announcing my intent to resign as the head coach for CHS Soccer.

I have a new job since December 2024, and over the past few months it’s become clear that the increased regular travel requirements along with expanded daily commitments will prohibit me from giving the team everything you deserve.

It is not fair to you as a player, the team, nor all the families for me to hold the position and not be able to give it the attention required.

As you can imagine, this decision was not easy to come by as I’ve given so much energy and emotion to building our program over the past 15 years.

Working with CWSC and studying under the previous CHS soccer coaches has been such a rewarding experience.

Every player, every coach, every member of the staff at CHS (in particular Mrs. Ford, who supported me to no end with a smile and the utmost grace) have helped me create a truly unique soccer culture in Coupeville.

I am eternally grateful to the support and trust everyone has given me over the years.

As I step down as the head coach, please realize this opens up a great opportunity for new ideas and new leadership at a time when our sport is rising in popularity and our team culture exudes a rapport envied by every other school in our league. 

Rest assured that I will be supporting the team as a volunteer when my time allows, and I will be participating in the transition and installment of new leadership for the team.

Thank you for the time you have given me.

All my best.

Wood started with CHS soccer as an assistant coach, then stepped up to become head coach when Kyle Nelson retired.

His first year in charge of the boys’ program in 2020 presented multiple issues, with an ongoing pandemic and a struggle to keep a viable roster going.

Wood succeeded in keeping soccer alive, even as boys’ tennis fell by the wayside in Coupeville, and the Wolf booters increased their win total in each of his seasons while playing in the premier 2B/1B league for the sport in Washington state.

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CMS spike coach leaves gym

Posted in Middle School, Volleyball, tagged , , , , on January 25, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Cris Matochi is ready for his close-up. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

This one stings.

Cris Matochi, the dynamic leader of Coupeville Middle School volleyball, has tendered his resignation.

The Brazilian-born coach, who has greatly energized the program since his hire in 2021, will officially depart his post after the school board approves the change at its meeting this coming Thursday, Jan. 30.

Matochi, who is married to CHS volleyball coach Cory Whitmore, lights up the gym with his love of the game and of life.

A high-caliber player in his home country, he balanced coaching at CMS with work as an Environmental Health Specialist for the Island County Health Department.

His pre-Coupeville coaching career included stints at various colleges, and work with high-level volleyball academies and national travel teams.

But while he was likely very over-qualified for his current gig, Matochi never let his past success get in the way of connecting with his current small-town proteges.

He preached love of the game, and a commitment to hard work, while working with fellow coaches such as Raven Vick and Kristina Hooks and got the most out of his players.

Among the most enthusiastic of sideline mentors, he will be greatly missed.

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Richter resigns!! (No, not from football)

Posted in Girls Basketball, Middle School, tagged , , , , on November 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Bennett Richter cradles his lil’ daughter last winter. Now his offspring is a ready-to-rumble one-year-old. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Family life calls.

With a precocious young daughter ready to learn the art of the crossover dribble and a wife who’ll be deep in coaching basketball during the winter, Bennett Richter is stepping back just a bit.

The ever-popular coach is still in charge of the Coupeville High School football program, but after two years, he will let others guide the town’s middle school girls’ hoops players.

Richter’s departure from the CMS post will be official once approved by the school board at its meeting next week.

In his resignation letter, he offered his thanks and well wishes.

 

Over the past two years, I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and have learned so much about coaching and supporting young athletes.

Watching these players grow and develop both on and off the court has been a rewarding experience that I will always treasure.

As I look forward to spending more time with my one-year-old daughter, I am also excited to have the opportunity to support my wife as she continues her own journey as a basketball coach.

While stepping away from this position is bittersweet, I am grateful for the memories, friendships, and valuable lessons I have gained during my time with the team.

Thank you for the trust you placed in me and for all the support from the school, the students, and their families.

I look forward to cheering on the team from the sidelines and celebrating their continued success.

Warm regards,

Bennett Richter

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