Coupeville Sports

   Ashleigh Battaglia sticks the landing during her 8th grade track season. (Pat Kelley photo)

   Refusing to let the play die, Battaglia gives maximum effort while trying to chase down a wayward volleyball. (John Fisken photo)

Ashleigh Battaglia is going to be busy.

When she hits the ground running as a Coupeville High School freshman in the fall, she’ll be kicking off a year in which she plans to be involved with sports every season.

Battaglia will be a member of the fall CHS cheer team, hopes to continue with the squad through basketball season, then head outside in the spring to join older brother Chris on the Wolf track and field team.

Toss in school work and she’ll have plenty of things to juggle, something of which she’s well aware.

“My goals as a freshman this year are to be able to get through this year not having to worry about last minute assignments and spending time with my family so I can easily enjoy my hobbies outside of school,” Battaglia said.

While she’ll be busy, the chance to interact with her teammates more than makes up for it.

“I love being on a team,” Battaglia said. It makes me feel like I have another family outside of home with the people I can trust if I ever need anything.”

Eternally positive, she looks for the bright side of things, but knows she can look to her veteran teammates if she hits any low moments.

“Every time I fail, I try to get back up again and keep going,” Battaglia said. “I want to improve.

“I would like to work on my confidence,” she added. “Like in cheer, I have girls who I know will help me if I struggle or need help.”

Battaglia was a three-sport athlete at CMS (volleyball, basketball, track) and looks forward to following in the footsteps of her brother, who went to state in the high jump as a freshman this spring.

“Track, I like it because I get to try new things and I compete mostly with myself to try to improve as much as possible,” she said. “My brother has always had helpful advice on anything track-related.”

Battaglia, who enjoys sketching, singing and hanging out with friends and her little sister (“she’s coming to middle school ready to show off her enthusiasm for sports and anything fun”), draws big support from her entire family.

“My dad, Brian Rogers, has had a huge impact on my athletic experiences, he’s always had encouraging things to say,” she said.

“My mother, Amanda Rogers, has always taught me to stand tall and try my best in everything,” Battaglia added. “So I can always look back and be proud of what I accomplished.”