Aaron Curtin submits to a photo op with his state tennis medal. (Photo courtesy Ken Stange)
Curtin flies up court during basketball season. (John Fisken photo)
The joy of a game-winning hit. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
Let’s take a moment to honor the quiet warrior.
For four years Aaron Curtin has been as good an athlete as Coupeville High School has had.
Tennis. Basketball. Baseball.
He was talented at whatever he played, and he attacked everything he did with passion.
Aaron was his own man the whole way, as well.
He would pop up in photos, usually with a small smile, but he didn’t hunger for the camera the way some Wolves do.
A lot of what we do here at Coupeville Sports is full of exclamation points and kids goofing off for the camera and big-bigger-biggest.
Curtin chose to glide through all that, being a great athlete, a quality guy, but a low key one.
Which is totally his right.
I give him all the credit in the world for doing things his way, the way that made him comfortable.
He handled his business with class every step of the way, and his family, his coaches, and us, the fans, should be proud we got to be a small part of it.
His tennis coach, Ken Stange, reflected on Aaron in the moments after Curtin placed eighth at the state tennis tourney, fighting through four epic matches in two days of searing Yakima heat:
“It was beautiful to watch.
I’ve spent four seasons with Aaron. He played nearly 100 matches for CHS, over the course of four regular and post seasons.
I was so incredibly proud of his effort, and was happy he’d be earning a medal.
I have a hard time finding words to describe the moments he and I shared, just after the match.
It’s surprising because I’m usually not shy about descriptions.
That’s okay, though.
This one was special–it was Aaron’s and it was ours. He’s a pretty quiet and private young man, so I guess it’s appropriate that I can’t give you a description.
It was such an enjoyable experience, and I think it was even more so for Aaron.”
As he prepares to graduate this week, Curtin leaves behind visible reminders of his excellence.
Every time Wolf fans enter the CHS gym in the years to come, they will see his face on the wall of honor, forever enshrined as one of the Wolf Athlete of the Years.
But it will be the memories that will last longer.
The mental images of a young man of sterling character, who fought through tough times on the basketball court as a program rebuilt with young players.
Of a quietly confident veteran who baffled hitters with his fastball, tossing a no-hitter on his home diamond.
Of a class act who never gave in, never gave up, always, ALWAYS fought to the final moment and sacrificed himself for his teammates.
Aaron Curtin was one of the greats, and he stayed true to himself every step of the way.
It was a pleasure to cover your exploits, sir.
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