Lyla Stuurmans (4) and Madison McMillan (11) sparked CHS volleyball to a 4th place finish at the 2024 state tourney. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
It is the most elusive thing in Cow Town sports history — a team state title.
At least at the high school level.
Now, the 2010 Central Whidbey Little League baseball team beat everyone to claim the top prize.
And, technically, the 2006 Coupeville High School cheer squad has a state crown to its credit — though cheer is classified as an activity and not a sport by the Washington State Interscholastic Activities Association.
The Wolves have two individual state titles in cross country thanks to Natasha Bamberger and Tyler King, and a whole bunch of track and field titles, both for individuals and a boys’ 4 x 400 relay team.
But as we sit here in 2026, CHS has yet to join its neighbors, Oak Harbor (football) or South Whidbey (cross country, tennis) in winning the ultimate team prize.
Over the years, 43 Wolf teams have advanced to state, capturing 26 wins (21 from female athletes) and bringing home hardware several times.
Just not that trophy that says STATE CHAMPS.
Yet.
The hunt continues, with the first team to achieve the feat guaranteed to be immortalized forever.
Scott Hilborn pitched Wolf baseball to a big win over Toledo at the 2023 state tourney. (Photo courtesy Wendi Hilborn)
As we sit here on October 7, 2026, here’s what has gone down in the past, with a couple of small caveats.
In this exercise, tennis, golf, wrestling, swim, cross country, and track are MIA because athletes advance to state as individuals.
You can win a TEAM state title in those sports with just an athlete or two — it happens frequently in tennis for example — but you don’t need the entire team to qualify to get to the big dance in the first place.
Which is the case for basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, baseball, and football.
Out of those six sports, the only Wolf program still seeking its first trip to state is girls’ soccer. Sort of.
Back in 1994, long before CHS launched its own team, Coupeville girls could play with Oak Harbor.
That year, the coach (Carol Bartelson), the top scorer (Marnie Bartelson), and the all-star goalie (Amanda Allmer) were all Wolves and led the team to a 4th place finish in the 4A classification.
But they did it wearing Oak Harbor’s purple and gold, with Wildcats stitched on the jerseys, and the WIAA lists the achievement on the page for OHHS and not CHS.
With that in mind, here’s the state tourney history for CHS team sports (as documented by the aforementioned WIAA):
Baseball:
First trip: 1973
Most-recent trip: 2023
Total trips: 10
State tourney wins: 3
Schools beaten: Kittitas, White Swan, Toledo
Best finish: 3rd in 1987
Boys Basketball:
First trip: 1970
Most-recent trip: 2024
Total trips: 7
State tourney wins: 2
Schools beaten: Columbia (Burbank), Montesano
Best finish: No trophies
Boys Soccer:
First trip: 2009
Most-recent trip: 2010
Total trips: 2
State tourney wins: None
Schools beaten: None
Best finish: No trophies
Football:
First trip: 1974
Most-recent trip: 2022
Total trips: 5
State tourney wins: None
Schools beaten: None
Best finish: No trophies
Girls Basketball:
First trip: 1998
Most-recent trip: 2016
Total trips: 7
State tourney wins: 7
Schools beaten: Freeman, Onalaska, Overlake, Winlock, River View, Cascade Christian, Zillah
Best finish: 6th in 2002
Softball:
First trip: 2002
Most-recent trip: 2026
Total trips: 5
State tourney wins: 8
Schools beaten: Cle Elum, Royal, Okanogan, Napavine, Deer Park, Colfax, Raymond-South Bend, Friday Harbor
Best finish: 3rd in 2002
Volleyball:
First trip: 2001
Most-recent trip: 2024
Total trips: 7
State tourney wins: 6
Schools beaten: King’s, Freeman, Toutle Lake, Zillah, Tonasket, Mossyrock
Best finish: 4th in 2024
Softball has the most state tourney wins of any CHS program. (Jackie Saia photo)
