Coupeville Sports

Ashley Smith is ready to tear up the soccer pitch. (John Fisken photos)

Not even an injured hand can slow down the high energy Smith.

She is the heir to the throne.

Ashley Smith, who will be a junior at Coupeville High School in the fall, follows in the footsteps of siblings who are highly accomplished Wolf athletes.

Megan, James and Ian Smith all were among the best in their respective classes, and now Ashley is here to tear up the soccer pitch.

A bright, super-friendly young woman who one time gave me so much (good-natured) grief over my plan to skip a boys’ JV soccer game that I gave up and stayed after all, the youngest Smith is a ball of fire.

As she celebrates her 17th birthday today, Ashley has a very bright future, both on and off the soccer pitch.

She is willing to get right in the middle of things as a defender, fighting for every loose ball, even when one of her hands is thickly wrapped in a bandage.

With the Wolves having lost several key players to graduation, Smith is primed to see even more playing time this fall, and I’m confident she will take advantage of the opportunity.

Off the field, she is kind, yet sarcastic, able to drop zingers on you while also embracing her friends and family.

Ashley, like all of her family, takes great delight in life and brightens up the world around her.

Happy birthday, Miss Smith. May your cake day be as awesome as you are.