Coupeville Sports

“Birthday cake? For me????” (William Davidson photo)

We’re going to break our rules for a second.

Back in the early days of Coupeville Sports, I did a lot of “happy birthday” articles, until it became almost a daily ritual, and threatened to swamp everything else here at the blog.

So, last couple of years, I’ve toned it down a bit.

But this being a one-man writing experiment, I reserve the right to irritate or praise people at any given moment, with no prior notice.

Tonight, it’s a positive, as I’m busting the birthday slowdown by taking a moment to pay tribute to one Zane Oldenstadt.

A true gridiron giant. (Jackie Saia photo)

I haven’t known Zane all his life like McKenzie and Caleb Meyer, or Makana Stone, but, from a relative distance, he just seems like a righteous dude.

A good kid (well, not really a kid anymore, as he turns 18 today) who plays three sports.

A young man who is personable and outgoing, deeply connected to his friends, and always willing to stop and let his mama take his photo after every game, win or loss.

And that last one is a huge positive.

Zane deeply cares whether his team wins or loses, and he brings maximum effort to every football and basketball game, and every time he tosses an implement into the prairie air during track season.

But he has the grace to know how the small moments matter to his parents, his family, and those he loves.

Plus, he recently posted pics of himself wearing a carved pumpkin on his head in various locations, and I appreciate the commitment to the craft.

So, Zane, happy birthday.

Enjoy your cake day and the rest of your senior year.

You’ve earned it.

Playing the game with class. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)