Allison Wenzel: Beast Mode (John Fisken photos)
Now, let’s imagine you’ve never been to a game of any sorts at Coupeville High School before.
At first, you see Allison Wenzel, with the ever-present smile, the serene sweetness of nature, the way she jokes around with bench buddy Skyler Lawrence.
A few words, and it becomes quickly obvious she’s smart as a whip, sensitive to others, a young woman who loves (and is loved by) her teammates.
So, you have one image of what you think she is.
Then, it begins.
A volleyball match, a basketball game, a track meet, and the second Allison Wenzel unleashes and it is … freakin’ awesome.
She is, quite simply, a beast at times, and I mean that in the best way possible.
At a recent basketball game, I was sitting next to Jodi Crimmins, the Nicest Woman in the Universe, but also someone who used to tear arms off of people on the basketball court in the ’90s.
As we watched Wenzel uncork a butt-whuppin’ on anyone who would dare to get between her and the basketball, I looked at Jodi and said, “You know, she is you reincarnated, isn’t she?”
Jodi’s smile covered one side of the gym to the other.
Allison Wenzel, kind, caring, smart, lover of animals and people, is a destroyer of worlds in the arena, and it is beautiful to see.
As she celebrates her birthday today, I hope she knows how many fans she has, people who appreciate her huge heart and never-say-die spirit on the floor.
Like her older sister Rachel, also a talented athlete and scholar and amazing young woman, Allison is a blessing to her parents, Susan and Tim, and to her town.
We are lucky to get to be a small part in her journey, to witness as she, day by day, shines even more brightly.
I always love to see young athletes like Allison get rewarded for the time and effort they put in, for showing you can play like a demon on the court and still be an angel in real life.
Happy cake day, Miss Wenzel. Never stop being awesome.
