Chris Battaglia (74) runs downhill in Coupeville’s opener against Sultan. (John Fisken photo)
Chris Battaglia is the future, and the future is bright.
The Coupeville Middle School eighth grader scored a pair of touchdowns in his team’s season opener Wednesday, heralding the start of what could be an impressive second season for the two-way star.
Battaglia plays fullback, outside linebacker and “head hunter” for the Wolves and went out for football last year because “I was interested in doing something active.”
He’s quickly becoming an active force for CMS, one who takes pleasure in success, both as an individual and as a teammate.
“I enjoy working with my team to complete plays and celebrating our touchdowns,” Battaglia said. “I think my strengths are my ability to run with speed and force.
“As one of the team captains I would like to help set up the seventh grade players for success in their following seasons.”
As he moves forward in his football career, he has his eyes set on prizes both near (“I’d like to work on not fumbling the ball”) and far (“My long term goal would be to obtain a college scholarship.”)
Battaglia plans to participate in SST (speed and strength training) after football and will run track for CMS in the spring. As a seventh grader he medaled in the mile, high jump and as part of a 4 x 200 relay unit.
He will also be running in The Biggest Loser half marathon.
Away from the field, Battaglia enjoys wood shop (“I like it because I get to work with my hands”) and snowboarding (“it’s such a fun sport and you get to feel so alive.”)
Regardless of what he’s doing, he never has to look very far to find a positive role model in his life.
“It’s hard to put into words, but all I can say is that my father, Brian Rogers, inspires me to be a great athlete and a great man.”
Coupeville Sports 