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Having worked hard in the off-season, doubles specialist Joseph Wedekind is ready to launch an attack in 2015.

Wolf junior Joseph Wedekind launches a serve during practice. (John Fisken photo)

Joseph Wedekind loves being on the tennis court.

“There are many things about tennis I enjoy,” he said. “There are constantly new things to be learned, new play styles, new-found power.

“Tennis is never a boring sport to me; it can keep me occupied for hours and it has,” Wedekind added. “I also enjoy the bond you get with your team. Although we are all playing many different games we are there for each other.”

The Coupeville High School junior has been playing year-round with doubles partner John McClarin and the duo head into a new season tabbed as the Wolf squad’s top tandem.

Following in the bold footsteps of CHS coach Ken Stange, Wedekind is charging into the season with his aim set high.

“My goal for this season is to make it to state with John,” he said. “We have had good times and bad as far as scores go, but this year I feel we can make it to state.”

While he’s taken huge strides since first picking up the sport as a freshman (“I joined because I have always had a love of racket sports and finally I had the opportunity to play more then just in PE”), Wedekind is still putting in the work to fine-tune his game.

“I’d say I’m strongest at the net, but I’m fairly comfortable all around,” he said. “Areas I’d like to work on? All of them. Always something that can improve.”

Away from the court, the whip-smart Wolf participates in Science Olympiad, jazz band and pep band and is a big fan of his science and technology classes.

He intends to get a college degree in computer science.

In everything he does, Wedekind has been aided by those close to him, a fact he happily acknowledges.

“Not just one person has made me the person I am today,” he said. “Every one I meet, all my friends and family have rubbed off on me in their own way and together that has made me who I am.

“My friends, my family, my teachers, I can’t narrow it down to one person.”

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Garrett Compton

Garrett Compton (Photo courtesy Compton)

Compton looks for an opening during last spring's soccer season. (John Fisken photo)

   Compton looks for an opening during last spring’s soccer season. (John Fisken photo)

Garrett Compton is a master of cerebral tennis.

The Coupeville High School senior, who is pursuing a role as a single player this season after three years as a double ace, approaches the game much as he does his school work — with great intensity.

“I started because the sport of tennis itself has always seemed to baffle me; I never understood how people could hit a ball so hard but so accurate at the same time,” Compton said. “The only way to find out was to play!”

An avid longboarder and a varsity soccer player for the Wolves, he has learned to mesh his playing style on the court with a string of partners.

“My favorite part about tennis has to be the level of teamwork required,” Compton said. “For the last three years l have played doubles and with each partner I was able to be a “second half” of a single brain, so to speak.”

With Aaron Curtin and Kyle Bodamer having graduated, CHS was left with only one returning singles player in Sebastian Davis, who is moving up a slot to anchor the team as the top gun.

Compton is in the middle of a battle to earn one of the two remaining singles slots, and is hard at work trying to fine-tune his skills.

“My strengths would have to be my forehand. I get such great topspin and power behind the ball, that even I’m surprised,” he said. “On the other hand my level of focus is a little unstable.

“If I get out of focus I lose the accuracy and power on my shots, and I can’t have that!”

Away from the courts, he is almost constantly on the move — though he admits he often disappears, sucked in by a good book.

Compton is in the CHS drama troupe, competes with the school’s Science Olympiad club and picks math as his favorite subject.

“My favorite class would have to be any sort of math with Mr. (Kyle) Nelson,” Compton said. “He’s a serious teacher, but he also knows how to make learning fun.

“Also, I’m kinda biased because he is the soccer coach…”

Along with Nelson, Wolf tennis coach Ken Stange gets a shout-out, as well as Compton’s family.

“My parents have always been a big part of who I am,” he said. “They are the ones who pushed me to try new things like tennis!

“Although without Mr. Stange and my close friends who suffered my bad shots and endless questions, I wouldn’t be nearly as good as I am today.”

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Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)

   Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)

Jared Helmstadter lets rip.

Jared Helmstadter lets rip.

Blessed with a deep, experienced roster, Coupeville High School boys’ tennis guru Ken Stange is entering a new season with one goal — for this squad to mirror last spring’s Wolf girls’ netters and put a new banner up in the gym.

“For the varsity squad, a league title should be in order,” Stange said. “Honestly, if we fail to win the league title, it will be a disappointing season. We are very deep.

“It will be a successful season if we go undefeated in league play,” he added. “The kids at CHS love the chance to win league titles. The girls picked one up last spring. The boys are ready to hang one up for themselves!”

Leading the charge is senior Sebastian Davis, who will slide up a slot to replace the graduated Aaron Curtin as the team’s #1 singles player.

Davis went 6-0 in league play last season, then pushed Curtin, who advanced to state, hard in the postseason.

“He is the heir apparent to the league singles title,” Stange said. “He is ready to pick up where Aaron left off.”

While the second and third singles slot are up for grabs (“We will be inexperienced, but I imagine the other schools in our league will face the same dilemma. As long as our 2 and 3 can display confidence and consistency, we should be good”) the Wolves are stacked at doubles.

“I’ve never had this sort of doubles depth on the boys’ team,” said Stange, who is in his 11th season at CHS. “They are all bigger and stronger, and there has been a noticeable rise in consistent play.”

The Wolves return 10 lettermen, with Davis joined by seniors Jared Helmstadter, Connor McCormick and Loren Nelson, juniors Joseph Wedekind, John McClarin, Grey Rische and Jimmy Myers and sophomores Joey Lippo and William Nelson.

Seniors Garrett Compton and Cole Payne (making a jump from football) and sophomore Nick Etzell are expected to fight for court time, as well.

Regardless of how the various varsity slots are filled, Stange is looking for a team-wide commitment in more ways than one.

“I want my boys to work on more than sharpening their skills. I want them to be a supportive group that challenges each other,” he said. “I want competition in practice so we can carry it over to matches.

“I want my players to be happy when they lose a challenge match in practice, because I want them to understand that our team is better when we beat the stuffing out of each other in practice,” Stange added. “Last season, the girls’ team found that family feel.

“The boys have always been a together sort of bunch, but I want them to take it to the next level. I think that’s how we can win.”

Before they get to league rivals Klahowya and Port Townsend/Chimacum, the Wolves will be tested in non-conference matches by top-level programs, always a good way to sharpen skills.

“Beating South Whidbey and ATM, that will be challenging,” Stange said. “For the newcomers, learn the game and become consistent players.

“Our doubles teams, while taking quite a beating last year, will benefit from the combination of another year’s experience and attrition from the other schools,” he added. “On top of a league title and a strong showing in the league tourney, it would be a special treat if we could sneak someone (or a pair) though districts and on to state.”

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Jared Helmstadter gets some work in. (John Fisken photos)

Jared Helmstadter gets some work in. (John Fisken photos)

Having worked hard in the off-season, doubles specialist Joseph Wedekind is ready to launch an attack in 2015.

   Having worked hard in the off-season, doubles specialist Joseph Wedekind is ready to launch an attack in 2015.

The opening days of practice included a chance to admire the off-season growth of court foliage. It was removed later in the day.

   The opening days of practice included a chance to admire the off-season growth of court foliage. It was removed later in the day.

Joey Lippo unlimbers the cannon.

Joey Lippo unlimbers the cannon.

John McClarin

Wedekind’s doubles partner, John McClarin, gets some air.

John Fisken is sneakier than I thought.

Despite rumors to the contrary, the travelin’ photo man was back in Cown Town Tuesday.

Just as I was worrying that boys’ tennis had been left in the shadows, as we ran photos from the other three Wolf sports teams, lo and behold, fresh ‘n toasty pics of the netters in action arrived in my inbox.

Patience. I will learn it. Some day.

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Sydney Autio

Sydney Autio (John Fisken photos)

Autio shares a moment with former CHS cheer coach Sylvia Arnold.

Autio shares a moment with former CHS cheer coach Sylvia Arnold.

Sydney Autio has moxie.

Plus spunk, spirit, talent and a heart as big as all get out.

The Coupeville High School senior, who celebrates a birthday today, has been front and center in three sports for the Wolves during her time in the red and black.

Whether operating as a spiker, a netter or a cheerleader, Autio’s love of life shines through every time.

Sydney always seems to enjoy herself and her positive spirit shines through even when injury sidelines her, as it did for a bit last season.

As she charges into her final year at CHS, ready to help lead the Wolf volleyball squad in a bid to unseat the other squads in the 1A Olympic League, we want to wish her the best.

Happy birthday, Miss Autio.

May your day, your year, shine as brightly as you do.

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