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Posts Tagged ‘Spring Sports Preview’

Big numbers, big potential

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , on March 16, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Coupeville seniors lead the way. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

Track and field are booming in Cow Town.

Coupeville High School coaches have 70+ athletes on their opening day roster, with an astounding 34 of those coming from the freshman class.

With the Wolves led by a pack of returning state meet veterans, there’s both depth and talent, creating an air of excitement as a new season dawns.

“Track is unique in that we don’t know what each year brings us when it comes to ‘top players’,” said CHS coach Elizabeth Bitting.

“Athletes progress throughout the season and the more years they participate in track the more work and effort they put in which results in improvement.

“Our top returning players would be those who are returning from a previous season. However, with 70+ athletes we don’t know what the season will bring.”

Based on past performance, senior Lyla Stuurmans, who has three state meet medals to her credit, should be a key performer, however.

Toss in Cael Wilson, Carly Burt, Axel Marshall, and Zac Tackett and CHS has five active athletes who know what it’s like to earn a medal at the season-ending state championship meet.

Carson Field, Davin Houston, Liam Blas, Marcelo Gebhard, Marquette Cunningham, Preston Epp, and Thomas Strelow are also noteworthy names.

As are Noelle Western, Katie Marti, Lillian Ketterling, Ayden Wyman, Mikayla Wagner, and Aleksia Jump.

But, as Bitting noted, part of the fun of a track and field campaign is seeing who steps up, who makes their big breakthrough, and who is still standing weeks into competition.

“As always, our goal is to prolong the season as long as we can and to continue seeing improvement and PRs,” Bitting said.

“This is an impressive group. They have already shown us their willingness to follow through and be present.”

As Coupeville battles always-tough Mount Vernon Christian and La Conner for Northwest 2B/1B League domination, roster depth is always important.

“Our strength is in our numbers,” Bitting said. “Each and every athlete is working hard to perform their best.

“Having competition within the team helps them to push themselves and each other.”

Wolf coaches and managers present a united front.

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Can’t kill a quality program

Posted in Baseball, tagged , , , , on March 13, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Camden Glover returns to anchor the Wolf offense and defense. (Ryan Blouin photo)

It’s a whole new world.

After advancing to the state tourney two seasons in a row, the Coupeville High School baseball team had to fight just to keep the program alive this spring.

Losses to graduation, family moves, injuries, and veteran players opting not to suit up left Wolf coach Steve Hilborn and his staff scrambling.

But they got there, relying on a core group which didn’t flake out like others, and will open the season Saturday with a road trip to Blaine.

The roster is thin, but the spirit is strong among those who remain committed.

“Looks like we’ll have a team. We have 11 right now,” Hilborn said. “Several kids new to baseball but with lots of potential.

“We’re working on basics and having fun,” he added. “And that’s the name of the game.”

Landon Roberts is a rare veteran on a rebuilding Wolf team. (Sherry Bonacci photo)

Leading the way will be senior Landon Roberts, who pitched, played first base, and patrolled the outfield last season.

Juniors Camden Glover and Coop Cooper provide big arms and steady bats, while freshmen Carson Grove and Jayden Little are back for a second year of varsity baseball.

Joining them will be a group of newcomers including senior Jesus Madrigal, making the jump from team manager to on-field player.

Sophomore big man Riley Lawless, freshmen Leo Rodriguez and Phin Rhodes, and 8th graders Trent Thule and Chris Zenz round out the current roster.

Junior Aiden O’Neill, a starter in center field last season, is sidelined as he recovers from surgery after a football injury but will be a key part of the team’s support crew from his perch on the bench.

Carson Grove, already a grizzled vet and just a freshman. (Mindy Grove photo)

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Bigger roster, better courts

Posted in Girls Tennis, tagged , , , , on March 12, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Brynn Parker is one of five returning players for CHS tennis. (Photo courtesy Corinn Parker)

If you build it, they will get to play on it … eventually.

When the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis team opens its season Mar. 21 against Anacortes, it will be the first time the Wolves will play a match at home since spring 2023.

Between then and now, the school moved its courts from next to the bus barn across the street and next to the CHS gym.

Bad weather at the time delayed the building process, sending the Wolf netters on the road for every contest last spring.

With the CHS boys’ tennis program having shut down several years back after losing a numbers battle, the Anacortes match will be the first-time players in red and black will be back in official action on their own playing surfaces.

Tenley Stuurmans is back and ready for another state run. (Photo courtesy Scott Stuurmans)

Leading the way will be freshman Tenley Stuurmans, who advanced to the state tourney as an 8th grader, while playing tennis for the first time.

She held up well in her two matches in Yakima against veteran foes, taking a set and almost advancing to day #2 of the championships.

Back for another run at glory, Stuurmans will be joined by fellow returning players Brynn Parker, Delanie Lewis, Kauri Hamilton, and Sofia Phay.

Kauri Hamilton is a seasoned vet on the court. (Andrew Williams photo)

In a hugely encouraging note, Wolf coaches Tim Stelling and Starla Seal have added 10 newcomers to the roster, ranging from 8th graders to seniors.

The expanded squad will compete against Friday Harbor for a Northwest 2B/1B League crown, playing four times, while also clashing with bigger schools such as South Whidbey, Anacortes, King’s, and Granite Falls across a 10-match schedule.

With expanded numbers, and a chance to play matches at home, the Wolf coaches are excited to welcome spring on the often-windswept prairie.

“Goals for this season are embracing growth and development establishment!” Seal said.

“Our biggest strength is the positive energy all of the girls have had from the first day of practice! They are vibing and have a fun and strong and positive learning mindset!”

With double digit roster numbers again, Coupeville will be able to fill out a complete slate once again when it comes time to play matches.

“Areas of growth are establishing two more doubles teams,” Seal said. “We have a lot of new players and hence the establishment of our team is a goal.

“Otherwise, I’m very happy and excited for our season and new courts!”

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“The team is never satisfied or complacent”

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on March 11, 2025| Leave a Comment »

Madison McMillan crushes a home run. Again. (Jackie Saia photo)

They’re ready for one last run.

Coupeville’s senior softball players have compiled a 44-14 mark across their first three seasons and are looking to go out with a bang.

Third-baseman Madison McMillan, shortstop Taylor Brotemarkle, and outfielders Jada Heaton and Mia Farris top a Wolf team which returns every starter from a year ago, when they went 14-5 and came up just short of a trip to state.

Now, with former assistant coach Aaron Lucero moving up to replace the departed Kevin McGranahan, the focus remains the same.

Win, work hard, have fun, and win some more.

“We want to always be competitive in every game and make it to state,” Lucero said. “We want to be in control of our own future.

“While we can’t control whether we have to compete in a single play-in game in District 4 or get a direct bid by winning our own league, we can control our effort, attitude, preparation, and intensity.”

The Wolves will focus on core values like “team before me” and “do the little things” while looking to maintain their hold on the top spot in the Northwest 2B/1B League.

Coupeville has won three conference crowns in four seasons since moving from 1A to 2B, but the one thing missing is a return to the big dance, with the program’s last trip to state coming in 2019.

The pandemic erased spring sports in 2020 and prevented any playoffs in 2021, with the last three seasons ending just shy of a final-week bus ride to Eastern Washington.

The 2025 edition of the Wolves looks rock-solid, with the senior veterans topping a roster of experienced pros.

Teagan Calkins (center) is a bright, shining star. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Junior catcher Teagan Calkins has “been tasked with more responsibility as the field general to our pitching staff and catchers,” and “The Red Dragon” has been a star since day one.

“I’m glad she plays for us instead of against us!” said Lucero.

Calkins will be working with a pitching staff, which while young in age, has on-field experience to spare.

Staff ace Adeline Maynes is just a freshman but threw the Wolves to within a whisker of a trip to state as an 8th grader, while sophomores Haylee Armstrong and Capri Anter both saw frequent time in the pitcher’s circle a season ago.

Freshmen Sydney Van Dyke, Ava Lucero, and Chelsi Stevens also got a jump on launching their varsity careers as 8th graders, and this time around, there’s another group ready to make the same move.

“I’ve been impressed with our 8th graders who joined us this week with several more joining after middle school basketball ends,” Aaron Lucero said.

While the Wolves are counting on having a five-pack of middle schoolers on the roster, it’s not too late for others to join.

“Any who want to play softball are welcome!” Aaron Lucero said. “I really want and need a robust JV program!”

Seniors Jada Heaton (left) and Taylor Brotemarkle have been winners since day one. (Jennifer Heaton photo)

With an experienced team which boasts a mix of longball power, speed on the basepaths, and fire in its throwing arms, the Wolves kick off their schedule Thursday with a home game against 2A Lakewood.

Coupeville’s non-conference slate includes six games against 1A, 2A, or 3A schools, plus a home doubleheader with 2B powerhouse Forks.

“We won’t take a single team lightly and will prepare accordingly,” Aaron Lucero said.

“We will give every team respect and come out with the mentality that every game is the most important.

“I added some bigger schools with good softball programs to our schedule to push us.”

Whether it’s league rivals like Darrington or Friday Harbor, or bigger schools such as Oak Harbor and Meridian, success will ultimately come down to how the Wolves prepare.

“I’m never satisfied or complacent. The team is never satisfied or complacent,” Aaron Lucero said.

“We always have work to do to improve.  Everything about softball is designed to make the player fail, so we will continue to work on every phase of the game.

“Mental toughness is a must for our style of play.”

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Track stars chase new success

Posted in Track, tagged , , , , on March 10, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Lexis Drake is one of 17 CHS freshmen to turn out for track and field. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)

The bar has been set high.

Last spring was one of the best in Coupeville High School track and field history, with the Wolf girls finishing third in the 2B team standings at the state championships.

Meanwhile, the CHS boys earned fifth, with senior Alex Murdy claiming the crown in the long jump.

He was the tenth Wolf in school history to bring home a state title.

But time moves on and Murdy and his fellow Class of 2023 mates are no longer reppin’ the red and black as a new campaign begins.

Which doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare.

CHS head coaches Bob Martin and Elizabeth Bitting have 63 athletes this year — 41 guys and 22 girls.

Coupeville’s seniors lead the pack.

There’s depth and talent, as well.

The depth is shown in the breakdown of the roster, which includes 17 seniors, 16 juniors, 13 sophomores, and 17 freshmen.

Headlining the team are four athletes who brought home state meet medals a year ago.

That’s current juniors Lyla Stuurmans (2nd in the 4 x 400, 7th in the 800, 8th in the 400), Carly Burt (2nd in the 4 x 400), Zac Tackett (7th in the discus) and Cael Wilson (8th in the pole vault).

Also returning are a number of Wolves who scored big at bi-districts.

Junior Katie Marti finished second in both the shot put and javelin last spring, missing a ticket to state by just one slot.

Katie Marti is good at throwing things.

Other bi-district runners-up from a year ago include Aleksia Jump (pole vault), Issabel Johnson (4 x 100), Preston Epp (400), and Aleera Kent (400).

Ayden Wyman (4 x 200), Nehemiah Myles (long jump), and Reese Wilkinson (discus) were third last year, while Hank Milnes (400) and Malachi Somes (1600 and 3200) finished in the top four.

Further depth comes from a strong pack of cross country runners that includes Carson Field, Erica McGrath, Reagan Callahan, and Kenny Jacobsen.

Add in veteran multi-event stars like Nick Guay, Zane Oldenstadt, and Mikey Robinett, and things look bright for the Wolves.

Wolf coaches are psyched for a new season of chasing records and medals.

“Despite the blustery and cold weather conditions, our athletes have shown incredible resilience and determination,” Bob Martin said.

“They are diligently focusing on mastering the basics while keeping their eyes set on league, districts, and the possibility of earning a state championship.”

While last year stands as a high-water mark for the CHS track program, the Wolves aren’t ready to stop there.

“With such a strong foundation and determined athletes, we are confident that this year’s team will achieve similar, if not greater, success,” Martin said.

“We are immensely proud of their dedication, hard work, and sportsmanship both on and off the track.”

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