Jordan Ford works up an appetite playing sports year-round. (Photo courtesy Aimee Bishop)
Ford flies high in the pole vault. (Barbi Ford photos)
Like the majority of his family, he loves him some Seahawks.
Most times, you transfer to a new school and no one knows who you are at first.
Not quite the case with Jordan Ford.
When he starts his senior year at Coupeville High School at the end of August, the three-sport athlete, who’s coming from Kentwood, will be providing another link in a long line of family members who have worn the red and black as Wolves.
Both of his parents — David and Barbi (Messner) Ford — are Coupeville grads, as are about ten billion other family members, from grandfathers to aunts to cousins.
In his immediate family, he has former CHS Athlete of the Year winners like cousin Breeanna Messner and longtime Wolf coaches like grandfather Larrie Ford.
Now, thanks to his dad relocating for work with Boeing, Jordan will get to write another chapter in his family’s long and illustrious love affair with Coupeville.
“I wanted to go to a smaller school and be close to family,” Ford said. “I’m not worried about the transition; I get along with everyone.
“It will be special to carry on the family tradition at Coupeville,” he added. “They all loved growing up in town. I hope to make them proud.”
First up is a return to football, which he last played as a freshman. Then comes his favorite sports, basketball and track.
“Pole vault in track is my favorite because of the adrenaline rush and not many people do it. I like to fly,” Ford said. “I am better at basketball though, and you’ll see that I play 100% at all times.”
He’s already attended summer camps with both the Wolf boys’ hoops squad and the football team, making the transition to a new school easier.
“Luckily, I was able to go to camp with both teams at Central, so I have met quite a few of the guys,” Ford said. “My goal is to have fun and be part of a team.”
He’ll bounce between wide receiver and safety, and is already hard at work getting back into the flow of the gridiron game.
“Although I haven’t played since my freshman year, I am really looking forward to competing and being part of the team,” Ford said. “I have great hands as a receiver with fairly good speed with a good vertical.
“I need to work on learning the plays and being the new kid.”
When he’s not playing sports, Ford enjoys hanging out with his extended family and playing video games.
As he’s grown as both an athlete and a young man, that family has always been there to support, encourage and help shape him.
“I would have to say that my mom and dad have had the biggest impact on who I am,” Ford said. “They have set a good example on how to live life with the priorities of family, hard work and they loved growing up in Coupeville.
“Of course, I plan on following in their footsteps but hope to outshine whatever my dad did for Coupeville sports!,” he added with a huge laugh.
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