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Archive for the ‘Happy birthday’ Category

Gavin O'Keefe (Shelli Trumbull photos)

Gavin O’Keefe: The Man returns. (Shelli Trumbull photos)

Gavin O’Keefe seems like a righteous dude.

Which is why, as he celebrates his 18th birthday today, it’s been so nice to see him back on the basketball court.

After losing 99% of his junior year and the first five games of his senior season while battling back from two broken legs, the Coupeville High School senior has been back for three games and it’s been a joy to see.

Hurtling from one end of the court to the other, throwing himself to the floor (and freaking out everyone in the immediate vicinity every time he bounces off the hardwood), pulling up and singing the nets from long distance — the basketball lifer is back in his comfort zone.

Welcome back, Mr. O’Keefe, and happy birthday.

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Chris and Shannon Tumblin

Chris and Shannon Tumblin

Tumblin (right) during his days as a wrestling stud.

Tumblin (right) during his days as a wrestling stud.

Today is the birthday of the greatest quote machine known to man.

Well, at least he was until his wife, Shannon, made him stop giving quotes to the press.

Ladies and gentlemen, Whidbey paramedic, football/baseball coach and silver-tongued devil Chris Tumblin:

Josh had one tackle on a receiver, folded him in half like a cheap hooker who was punched in the gut by her pimp. He had to sit out for awhile and wait for his liver to start working again.”

Happy 46th, Mr. T.

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Superstar.

Legendary.

This has nothing to do with sports. It’s far more important than that.

Today, thirty years ago, a baby was born. Probably a lot of babies were born that day, on Nov. 18, 1983, but this one mattered more than most.

I’m going to say she was probably fairly bald at the time, and the blond locks hadn’t come in yet.

But I’m sure the radiance that flows from her, the sheer loveliness that is there in every pore, the brilliant brain synapses firing at breakneck speed, were all already present.

Nov. 18, 1983, Kelsey Simmons entered the world and instantly it was a better place.

Not just for her parents Roger and Debi, and, later, for younger brother Jake, but for all those who would meet her in the coming years.

She is bold. She is Earth-shaking. She is wonderful.

She has already accomplished much. Proud alum of the University of Washington. World traveler. Companion/Food Provider/Ear Scratcher to Sitka, the World’s Most Talented Dog.

Owner of her own successful high-end business revolutionizing the world one elegant, perfectly-chosen window covering at a time — Kelsey Simmons Design. (http://www.kelseysimmonsdesign.com/Kelsey_Simmons_Design/Home.html)

And yes, you should go hire her. Now. Before she gets Oprah famous and you have to wait months for a meeting.

All of that, though, will pale next to what she does in the coming years. Of that, I have no doubt.

I think, sometimes, Kelsey doesn’t realize quite how awesome others think she is.

Maybe she’s being modest, or maybe she just needs to put her smartphone down once in awhile and look around and see the awe she brings forth in others.

Whether she is in a small town or a bustling city, she stands out. Always.

There is the transcendent beauty, a timeless elegance which will never fade and only grow richer (she is the “belle fleur,”) but it’s more than that.

In good mood or bad, clad in impeccable high fashion or that one day where she’s rumored to have worn yoga pants to work cause “screw it,” Kelsey dazzles. She entrances. She inspires.

Whatever slice of time a person gets to spend with her is irreplaceable. It is the best part of any day. Fragments of time which will stay with you forever.

Moments that make the world brighter, more alive.

Cause that’s what she does. Make the world a better place.

Happy birthday, Kelsey Rae. You are truly, wonderfully amazing.

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"Oh, is that a camera you have in your hand? How ... interesting."

“Oh, is that a camera you have in your hand? How very … interesting.” 

McKayla Bailey is the best. The absolute best.

No one at Coupeville High School can touch her for the title of Photo Bomb Ruler of the Universe. She is uncanny in her knowledge of where the camera is and when to slide into the picture at the last moment.

And yes, the Wolf junior, who celebrates her birthday today, is also a very good soccer, basketball and softball player, which is all good and fine.

But, in terms of generating page views, it’s her mad photo bomber skills that fuel the fire over here at coupevillesports.com.

Because, as they say, “She’s gold, Jerry! Gold!!”

Never change, McKayla. Never.

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Brittany Black (right) and girlfriend Megan King.

Brittany Black (right) and girlfriend Megan King.

She was, and is, the real deal.

Brittany Black was one of the best basketball players to ever wear the black and red for Coupeville High School, a hustler and a scrapper who could hit a smooth jumper, then knock a girl out of her shoes while fighting for a rebound.

Playing along side sister Lexie Black, the Black ‘n Blue Brigade shredded opponents and helped carry the Wolves to the best extended run of success any sports program at CHS has ever seen.

Then they went to college and survived the frozen tundra of Alaska, a land where your eyelashes could freeze in the time it took to go from your car to the gym.

Today, as she turns 25, Brittany is giving back, working as an assistant coach for the Wolves girls’ hoops squads under the tutelage of David and Amy King. Her experience is invaluable, her ability to still get on the court and school the next generation uncanny.

She is mentally tough and has come through hard times, exiting on the other side a healthy, happy, confident young woman. She is why people are proud to root for the Wolves, now and forever.

Brittany Black is Coupeville, and we are very proud of her.

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