Allison Wenzel on vacation. (Susan Wenzel photo)
Wenzel gets ready to lay down some beats. (John Fisken photo)
Allison Wenzel is keeping alive a proud family tradition.
Every time the Coupeville Middle School 8th grader takes the basketball court, she’s following in the footsteps of her aunt Rachel, a former high school and college player who now coaches at Ocosta High School.
“I played basketball because I wanted to try all the sports. I heard basketball was a lot of fun,” Wenzel said. “I love the games. I love being aggressive and getting the ball and making baskets.”
She’s made her mark on the defensive side of the ball so far (“People tell me I play hard defense, but I need to work on making baskets”), but is excited to progress in every aspect of the game.
“My goal is to grow stronger in my dribbling and making baskets,” Wenzel said. My dad is painting a regulation-sized key in our driveway, so I can practice at home too.
“Oh yes, I plan to play in high school!,” she added. “I enjoy the sport and high school is the next level for me – a greater challenge.”
A busy young woman — she plays volleyball and runs hurdles in track (“my goal last year for hurdles was to not trip and I didn’t, so this year my goal is to get faster”), while also finding time to play the French horn in the CHS/CMS band.
“I love to play in pep band, festivals and honor band and march in parades,” Wenzel said.
A world traveler at a young age (she was born in Japan), she loves to “travel and explore the outdoors.” A cruise to Alaska last summer, during which she took a train to Denali and went whitewater rafting, was a highlight.
At school, she enjoys band and gym (“I like gym because I can see how I am improving my fitness level”), while always knowing that those at home are her biggest fans.
“My family – my mom and dad and sister Rachel and my Uncle Miles and Aunt Rachel – and my friends, encourage me to try new things and always be the best that I can be.”
