Ryanne Knoblich gets some love from Mama Mariah. (Karen Carlson photo)
“Nice try, Ry!”
Over the years, as she grew from a plucky young girl fighting to have an impact, to emerging as a full-blown star honored as a Coupeville High School Athlete of the Year winner, that statement took on new meaning.
Ryanne Knoblich may have followed in the footsteps of older brother Gavin, himself a three-sport sensation for the Wolves, but Mariah and Clint’s daughter wrote her own super-successful story.
When she exited CHS this past spring, carrying her diploma (and countless academic and athletic honors), she left as one of the best I’ve ever written about.
As an athlete, absolutely.
As a human being, even more so.
Ryanne was unfailingly joyful during her days repping the red and black, her megawatt personality lighting up gyms and track ovals and winning her a well-deserved legion of fans.
Pick a sport, and she was a huge contributor.
Doin’ what she does. (Jackie Saia photo)
On the volleyball court, she grew into a dangerous sniper, one who crashed from sideline to sideline in pursuit of the ball, before unleashing often-crippling spikes.
Look at her stats from her senior season, and it’s readily apparent how dangerous, and well-balanced, a player she truly was.
Ryanne racked up 108 kills and 109 digs, the rare player to amass top numbers at the net and in the back row.
She could also serve with the best of them, peppering rivals with spikes which tore off arms and deflated players on the other side of the court.
Through it all, while racking up All-Conference honors, she delighted in her teammate’s accomplishments as much as her own, her voice carrying across the gym as she bum-rushed her pals to squeeze the life out of them with a congratulatory hug.
That all-in style carried over to basketball, where Ryanne was her team’s most effective rebounder, while also finishing #3 in scoring.
She could pop a silky jumper, elbow a wayward rival, then dive on the floor to fight like her life depended on her ability to claim possession of the ball.
All while chuckling to herself, an intense warrior who always seemed to delight in just getting a chance to play alongside her friends.
The artist at work. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
When spring rolled around, Ryanne went outdoors for track and field, and it’s there she probably made her biggest impact.
The pandemic denied her a freshman season on the oval, but she more than made up for it in the remaining three years.
From her sophomore through senior year, Ryanne competed in 11 different events, from sprints to relays, hurdles to jumping competitions.
Through it all, she rang up 16 wins, twice finished 2nd at the state meet in the high jump and tied a school record which stood untouched since 1999.
Ryanne touched the skies at five feet, two inches in her premier event, joining Wolf legend Yashmeen Knox atop the record books.
While she may have left the building, her name will live on every time a new CHS athlete enters the gym complex and looks up at the record board on the wall.
And, while that record may one day be toppled, Ryanne’s place among the best Wolf athletes ever is still assured, as her photo will join others who have been tabbed as a CHS Athlete of the Year winner.
That honor is forever.
Not that she needs it, as “Nice try, Ry” will also live on in the memories of those who watched her play while fueled by her unique mix of intensity and joy.
Solo, or as part of a team, Ryanne is always a winner. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Still, awards are nice, so let’s toss another her way.
Today we welcome Ryanne to the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, where she joins her brother.
After this you’ll find the duo hanging out up at the top of the blog, under the Legends tab.
It’ll be easy to spot Ryanne.
She’ll be the one having a heck of a good time, effortlessly building her fan club one huge play, and one big smile, at a time.
A joyful assassin. (Delanie Lewis photo)
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