Skyy and Joey Lippo, setting the world ablaze. (John Fisken and Connie Lippo photos)
One soars, the other scores.
Whether it’s ballet or baseball, or any of a number of other pursuits, the super-powered duo of Skyy and Joey Lippo are busy lighting up the Whidbey sports universe.
The twin terrors, who celebrate a joint birthday today, are headed into their junior year at Coupeville High School, having already made a huge impact in their first two years.
Along the way, they have kept proud parents Joe and Connie jumping in their roles of taxi drivers, team parents, ardent fans (and PR flacks).
Skyy, who started off in sports like softball alongside best friend Katrina McGranahan, settled into her niche when she found the world of dance.
Currently a company captain, a principal in contemporary dance and a soloist in classical dance, she’s achieved rare status by being tabbed for a role in Whidbey Island Dance Theatre’s upcoming production of The Nutcracker months in advance.
A veteran of the always-popular production, she hasn’t been told what her role will be this time around, but it’s believed to be the first-time a non-professional dancer has been picked so early
Which probably shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the elegant, tough as nails Miss Lippo has been abusing her toes twirling to new heights as a dancer all year, when she’s not busy working on rebuilding a ’72 Charger with her dad.
Her other half, Joey, hasn’t exactly been lying around the house, stuffing Cheetos in his face all summer either.
Coming off of a strong school sports season — he combined with Will Nelson to form a deadly doubles duo on the tennis court, then helped spark the Wolf baseball squad to its first league title in 25 years — Joey never put his mitt away as the weather turned hotter.
Instead he started traveling back-and-forth to the big city to play travel ball with the Seattle Bombers in the Seattle Elite League.
After a couple of games bouncing around positions (he was primarily a second baseman/catcher for the high school squad), Lippo ended up a starter in left field.
Once there, he made a concentrated bid for Sports Center-type glory, earning the moniker “The Cannon” for his laser-like throws, one of which doubled a runner off of first.
Now, he’s slid right back into the world of netters, as he and Nelson make a bid for the #1 slot.
After that, a possible return to basketball and then he’ll double-dip the high school and travel ball baseball experience again.
Now, of course, running down the laundry list of the Lippo’s various sports accomplishments only tells part of the story.
The twins are the complete packages, smart, friendly young adults who are fiercely loyal to each other, their friends and their family.
As they sail along setting new highs and making their bid for greatness, both Skyy and Joey brighten up the universe around them, reflecting extremely well on their parents.
Coupeville is lucky to have them, as athletes, and more importantly, as people.
So, from all of us in the peanut galleries, here’s to a hugely happy birthday, Lippo kids.
May you both never stop soaring towards stardom.
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