Coupeville Sports

Hope “The Surgeon” Lodell, hard at work being all awesome and stuff.

Somewhere, at this very moment, it’s highly likely Hope Lodell is performing various feats of strength.

The Coupeville High School sophomore, who clocks in at the big 1-6 today, is a physical marvel and has been since the day she popped in to this world.

One of the rare athletes who I currently cover that I can say I’ve actually known since day one, Hope has been a precocious fireball since her birth.

Now she spends a fair amount of time walking around while doing a handstand and last year wowed softball fans by ripping off a string of pull-ups on the overhang above the CHS softball dugout.

Bored while waiting for umpires to decide if a game was going to be played, the Wolves milled around, making small talk.

And then, suddenly, blond ponytail whipping behind her, Lodell elevated, snatched the wooden board and started flexing, lifting herself up rat-a-tat style as her teammates whooped and hollered.

You had the feeling she could have done it all day, but, after a bit, Hope dropped down, grinned and walked away, leaving a field full of awestruck onlookers.

It wasn’t the only time she did so, as her play on the field was often gasp-worthy as well.

Flying in all directions, Lodell was technically the Wolf center fielder, though she often ran down balls in both right and left, making her fellow outfielders jobs considerably easier.

Slick and quick and a dangerous slap hitter at the plate, she began to come into her own as a wily lead-off hitter as a freshman.

With a change in CHS coaching, and her little league juniors coach, Kevin McGranahan, taking the reigns this season, her sophomore year could be a huge breakout year for the irrepressible one.

It already was in the fall, when she shot on to the varsity volleyball squad and became a key weapon as the Wolves made huge strides, jumping into the postseason and winning a home playoff game.

A jump server capable of inflicting vicious curves on the ball, Hope was like a jolt of pure energy shooting through the gym every time she stepped on the court.

Seeing her soar so high, and yet knowing she can still go so much higher, is a genuine thrill.

She remains the same friendly, super-smart, well-spoken class act she was even as a little tyke, and, while she may roll her eyes a bit these days when people gush about her, she more than deserves it.

You are awesome, Hopey. Both in the sports world, and, far more importantly, in the real world.

I hope your cake day is truly special, cause that’s what you have always been and will always be — truly, truly special.

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