Dani Rickard (Photo by Victory Photography)
We’ll get to the sports in a moment.
Just let me take a moment to say that Dani Rickard has just jumped to the top of my favorite Coupeville High School student/athletes.
As a veteran of 15+ years in the video store wars, and a man who quit counting when he topped 10,000 films seen, I read the following quote and I’m all like, “Dang! The kids are alright.”
The quote?
“I don’t have any specific favorite movies because I love all movies in general. Old ones, new ones, scary ones; they are entertaining to me because it lets my imagination run away with it.”
So, so proud. Told myself I wouldn’t cry…
Yes, well, anyway.
Not that movies totally define the multi-talented Wolf. She loves books (“I like to read also, because, unlike a movie, it allows you to think more about how the character is feeling. It’s more detailed than any movie”) and enjoys her Chemistry and English classes.
“I’ve always been very interested in any type of science, but this year I would have to say my favorite is English,” Rickard said. “My teacher, Mrs. (Barbara) Ballard, creates lessons that are fun or interesting, but still teach you a valuable skill that you could use later in life.
“Mrs. (L.D.) Eller would be the teacher who has pushed me most in my academic career,” Rickard said. “She has taught me that when I think I can’t do something, I should just take a minute to think about my problem and the answer eventually comes to me.”
Outside the classroom, Rickard has found her calling hurling heavy objects. After jumping from softball to track last season, she became an accomplished shot put, discus and javelin thrower.
For her senior season, which kicks off at the Island Jamboree in Oak Harbor Thursday, March 14, she hopes to add in some running events to go with the throwing.
Regardless of which events she competes in, she will approach them all with the proper mind-set.
“My strengths would be that I am a very determined person and I keep trying at something until I’m successful,” Rickard said. “The thing I enjoy most about track are my teammates. They’re really supportive to each other and are just great people to be around.”
With hard work and dedication and the support of boyfriend Shawn Kump, also a successful track athlete (“Even though we haven’t known each for years and years, he’s helped me see that it’s OK to be a little different and that you should always be the person you are instead of the person you think other people want you to be”), Rickard has set several goals for herself this season.
“An area I need to work on is definitely improving on running outside of track, to better improve my endurance,” Rickard said. “Some goals that I have are to PR in my throwing events and become a successful sprinter.”
While she doesn’t have time for a second sport with work and school, Rickard enjoys swimming, and she benefits greatly from having a strong support group with Kump and her family.
“My mom has always helped me succeed because she helps push me to do what she knows that I can accomplish. She has since I was little and it’s made me a better person,” Rickard said. “My dad taught me that even though life knocks you down sometimes, you always have to pick yourself and keep trying. He’s helped me get through some tough times in my life.
“Both my parents have always been supportive of myself and my life goals.”
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