Chelsea Prescott covers the bag during a softball game last spring. (John Fisken photos)
Prescott, seen here during a volleyball camp, is an athlete for all seasons.
If there’s a sport to be played in Central Whidbey, it’s a fair bet Chelsea Prescott has played it.
The Coupeville Middle School 8th grader frequently operates in a whirlwind, often charging from basketball court to diamond (be it softball or baseball), all while juggling multiple pieces of equipment and different uniforms.
Through it all, her energy never seems to flag and she remains at the forefront of local athletes who will take the step up to high school this fall.
At the moment, Prescott is playing left field and pitching for Central Whidbey’s Babe Ruth baseball team, but she plans to jump back to softball next spring.
“Although I love playing baseball, I’ll switch back to softball for my high school years,” Prescott said. “Go Wolves!”
On the basketball court she can fill the hoop up with the best of them, leading CMS in scoring the past two seasons.
But it’s volleyball, where the high-flying ace once ripped a serve off of an opponent’s face (it went for a winner), which has begun to captivate Prescott.
“I really enjoyed playing volleyball for Whidbey Fury, going to the tournaments,” she said. “We traveled all over, got to see a lot of places with great friends, and we also took third-place at the PSR tourney!
“Although I have been playing baseball and softball since I was four years old, I think volleyball has become my favorite sport, because the action doesn’t really stop,” Prescott said. “I love that it keeps me active, lets me be part of something bigger than myself — hashtag teamwork — and I’m pretty competitive.”
Prescott has height, speed and a strong work ethic.
Which doesn’t mean there aren’t areas she’d like to improve, as you discover if you ask her about her strengths and weaknesses.
“Funny question, because “strength” is the area I want to work on,” Prescott said. “Practice hard, play hard, but have fun!”
In the (brief) moments she’s not playing a sport, she enjoys “listening to country music, reading manga and playing with my boy Bentley,” her faithful canine companion.
As Prescott has pursued her many athletic endeavors, parents Josie and Cory have been with her every step of the way, something the young star deeply appreciates.
She also hails those who help guide her development.
“First and foremost, my parents for always supporting me,” Prescott said. “All my coaches — Kevin McGrenahan, Ron Wright, Scott and Mimi Johnson, Steve Hillborn, Heidi Wyman, Dustin Van Velkinburgh, Ryan King and Bob Martin.
“And a special thanks to the best umpire in the league, Jim Wheat, for all of his words of wisdom.”
