Coupeville freshman Alana Mihill was a revelation this fall, embracing cross country and making an immediate impact. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
CHS coach Natasha Bamberger honors senior captain Danny Conlisk, who, after two years of training and traveling with South Whidbey, got to lead his own team. (Photos courtesy Bamberger)
Wolf runners, and their support crew, celebrate “Crossgiving” at Sunday’s awards banquet.
The coach who revived a program she once led as a runner has a special gift to remember this season. (Photo courtesy Helene Lhamon)
Revived, reborn and earning respect.
Ending a two-decade-plus exile, cross country returned to Coupeville High School this fall, and it was a smashing success.
Starting the program virtually from scratch — two returning runners, Danny Conlisk and Sam Wynn, had trained and traveled with South Whidbey last year — CHS coach Natasha Bamberger hit the ground running.
She pulled together an eight-athlete roster, fielding a full boys team while launching the very-promising harrier careers of Catherine Lhamon and Alana Mihill.
The trail runners made huge strides while training with Bamberger, who won a 1985 state title in cross country and four more in track back when she was the one wearing a CHS uniform.
Tack on a huge turnout at the middle school level for CMS coach Elizabeth Bitting, and the future of the cross country program couldn’t be brighter.
But Sunday night was about hailing the trailblazers who brought cross country back inside Coupeville schools.
In future years, as the program grows, other Wolves may join Bamberger and 2010 state champ Tyler King at the top of the podium.
When they do, they will be rightfully hailed.
But for now, and forever, the two girls, six boys, one ecstatic coach and their all-star support crew, the ones who stepped up in 2018, will live large.
It’s a feeling Bamberger captured in her awards banquet wrap-up:
“Happy Crossgiving!!”
This is how the Coupeville High School cross country family ends its first XC season – at Fort Casey with submarines, laughs and tons of kindness.
Captain Award:
Danny Conlisk
Varsity letters:
Catherine Lhamon
Alana Mihill
Danny Conlisk
Sam Wynn
Senior Awards:
Danny Conlisk
Uriah Kastner
Kyle Burnett
Runner Discovered:
Uriah Kastner
Fighter Award:
Kyle Burnett
Natural:
Sam Wynn
In the Zone:
Chris Ruck
Toughest Competitor:
Catherine Lhamon
Workhorse Award:
Alana Mihill
Alana’s first letter; she pushed the team from the first day of the summer preseason.
She made every practice and when team felt tired she’d be right out front pushing the boys!!
Best Attitude Award:
TJ Rickner
TJ has the best attitude you could ask for in a runner. Finishes the race saying coach that was so fun! Smiling ear to ear.
I want to bottle that enthusiasm!
It was a great night! They sewed coach a quilt!
Special thanks to Dawnelle, Glenda and Ken. Fitting he was at the head of the table, submarines and all!
Huge thank you Robyn Myers, SPU-Fort Casey, and for the amazing support of the Coupeville Boosters. I’m overwhelmed.
Thank you David for your support of the team. Anything I can do for you please ask.
You have done so much for this community.
Do your articles motivate? Maybe we better put you in the hot seat in the next super motivator contest!!
We could graph athlete performance and “Coupeville Sports” coverage. Haha!!
Parting words … “Summer practice starts weekdays 10 AM after the last day of school, Monday-Friday.
(Big focus eye contact and huge smile holding my breath…)
I look forward to seeing you ALL there!
Feels great to be home!
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