Coupeville Sports

Ashley Menges: pick a sport, she’s a winner.

“Who’s gettin’ cake? This girl!!” (John Fisken photo)

We are in a new golden age for young female athletes right now in Coupeville.

Both the freshman and sophomore classes at CHS boast exceptionally strong groups, while the elementary and middle school levels are bursting with talent, as well.

One of the brightest and most successful is Wolf frosh Ashley Menges, who celebrates her birthday Thursday.

A standout volleyball spiker and competitive horse rider, she’s following in the successful footsteps of older brother Cody, a dazzler on the soccer pitch.

Ashley has quickly become a star in her own right, however, blasting to the forefront along with pals Emma Smith and Maddy Hilkey while juggling select and school volleyball.

When she’s not setting up the big hitters with her pinpoint passing, she can usually be found astride her horse.

A veteran of the state meet in Puyallup, Menges‘ ribbon collection is staggering and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

In the time I have covered her athletic endeavors, she has been everything in a teammate a coach would want to see — loyal, supportive, enthusiastic and highly devoted to her squad.

You can be a successful athlete and be rude and dismissive, but Menges is a prime example of living your life the opposite way — being successful while treating others with kindness and approaching each obstacle with a can-do attitude and a shining spirit.

Win or lose, Ashley has a charisma and a sunny nature that wins her fans everywhere she goes.

That she backs it up with strong athletic ability is just a bonus.

So, as she heads towards her cake day, we just want to take a moment to wish her the best, and thank her for making her school and her town look so good.

You’re a winner, Miss Menges, in every way.