Any time Whidbey Islanders take a state title it’s worthy of celebration.
In recent years the Oak Harbor High School football team has done it, as has the Oak Harbor High School cheer squad. But it’s a rare feat beating the best the entire state has to offer, so we welcome to the ranks of local state champions the Central Whidbey Junior Little League baseball team, consisting of 13- and 14-year olds.
The Central Whidbey squad won its state championship Saturday with a harrowing, come-from-behind 10-9 victory over West Valley. It was a historic win as it was the first time a team from District 11, which includes all of Island and Skagit counties, has won it all at the state level.
Head coach Chris Tumblin’s team didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate as they immediately headed into fundraising mode to pay for a trip to California for the next level of competition. The regional tournament will run from Aug. 3 to 10 at Laguna Niguel, a town 50 miles south of Los Angeles.
Air fare, hotel bills and associated costs are estimated to total $20,000. The entire Central Whidbey community is pitching in, but time is short. We can’t let the boys down — not after all the sacrifices they made to win a state title for Whidbey Island. Help them to the next level of competition by making a donation at any Wells Fargo branch on the island; drop off a check payable to CWLL at Cascade Insurance, 404 S. Main St., Coupeville; or donate online at www.centralwhidbeylittleleague.org.
However they fare in California against the best teams from the region, the Central Whidbey team has already made us proud and left a mark in the local history books. Our boys of summer will long be remembered.
