Coupeville’s lone swimmer Finn Price wins, qualifies, eyes third state berth

Coupeville High School senior Finn Price continued to make waves on the mainland, winning the 50-yard freestyle and qualifying for districts in the 100 backstroke at a Mukilteo meet on Jan. 22 that included Kamiak and Mariner. The results build on a district berth he earned last week in the 200 individual medley and keep alive his pursuit of a third trip to the state meet in February.

Price swims as the lone Wolf boy on Coupeville's roster but trains and competes alongside Kamiak swimmers, traveling across Whidbey Sound with teammates from South Whidbey before joining the mainland squads at pool sessions and meets. Now in his fourth season representing the Wolves in the water, Price is a two-time state meet qualifier and has committed to swim for Whitman College next year.

Price's performances have both a competitive and civic dimension for Island County. As a solo representative from a 2B school that lacks its own pool or formal swim program, his daily routine involves extra travel, coordination across districts, and the time demands that come with balancing schoolwork and lengthy commutes for practice. That reality highlights broader questions about equity in extracurricular access for students from small, rural schools and the role of district partnerships in filling facility gaps.

Swimming carries known benefits for physical and mental health, and Price's success underscores how access to training opportunities can translate into postseason opportunities and college prospects. For residents of Coupeville and neighboring communities, his results are a point of local pride and a reminder of the resourcefulness of small-school athletes who rely on regional cooperation to compete.

Looking ahead, Price will focus on district-level competition and the possibility of making a third trip to state in February. His trajectory also offers a tangible example for local leaders weighing investments in recreational and athletic facilities, transportation supports for student-athletes, and programs that expand equitable access to sports across Island County.

For Coupeville fans, South Whidbey teammates, and community members, Finn Price's season is both an individual achievement and a prompt to consider how the island supports its athletes as they carry local colors onto mainland pools.