Coupeville Sports

Carson Risner, son and grandson of Wolf legends.

Carson Risner’s mom can beat up your mom.

Not that she would, as she’s actually a really nice person, but Jennie (Cross) Prince didn’t set Coupeville High School records that still stand years later in the shot put and discus by being a pushover. The woman, a three-sport threat in her day (in any day!) could snap you in half and do it with a smile.

Is it any wonder that her son is now flexing both his biceps and his beaming grin as a key member of the Wolf football squad? With an uncle and a grandfather who also lined up in the trenches for CHS, he’s merely carrying on a family tradition of being awesome.

A sophomore who plays both ways on the line, Risner is quick with a joke among his teammates, and then equally quick when it comes to dropping the boom on opposing ball carriers.

“Football is my favorite for sure. I love the contact!,” Risner said. “I guess I was built to play football. I’ve always looked forward to the year I could play because I was always too big to play in the Oak Harbor little league.

“The physical competition keeps me interested. I’m always getting bigger, better, and stronger,” he added. “I think my strengths are that I am always willing to work hard, learn from my mistakes, and no matter how big the guy is, I’m not afraid to hit him.”

While he would like to work a bit on his speed and footwork, Risner, a die-hard “South Park” fan and one of Coupeville’s hardest workers on the gridiron, lives for the big hit.

“The personal highlight for me was finally being strong enough to rock a senior’s world,” Risner said. “For the next two years I would like to be unstoppable, bigger, faster, stronger than any guy on the other side of the line.”

Doing so would be a perfect tribute to his family and their rich history of athletic success at CHS. Like mom, like son. Like grandpa, like grandson.

“My mom has pushed me to be my best,” Risner said. “She has always told me to give 110% on the field and off. Sports are like life, you get out of it what you put into it. No quitters allowed and if you aren’t going to give it your all, then don’t play. No pain, no gain!

“I have a lot to live up to,” he added. “My grandpa (Wolf legend Murph Cross) was the one that made my mom that way. He has always been right there for me, teaching me what he knows and pushing me to be better at everything I do.”

A music buff who plays guitar, Risner also breaks the stereotype of the lineman who is great on the field and not so talented in the classroom. This kid has book smarts to go with his biceps of steel.

“My favorite class is weight training, but I do have a 3.8 (GPA) so I must be okay at the rest of them, too.”

Smart. Funny. Athletic talent for days. Definitely following in the footsteps of his mom.