Mollie Bailey has never met a cameraman she can’t mess with. (John Fisken photos)
Bailey, being a rock behind the plate for Central Whidbey Little League hurler Melody Wilkie.
She is the chosen one.
Equally at ease in the heat of athletic battle and goofing off for the camera, Coupeville 8th grader Mollie Bailey is the last in a long family line of Wolf athletic legends.
From great-grandfather Robert “Fat” Engle, who tore up the CHS gridiron in the ’20s, to big sisters McKayla and McKenzie in recent years, her relatives are kind of a big deal on the prairie.
Not that the ever easy-going Mollie is going to be ruffled by pressure.
“Oh you know me, just too cool for school,” is her go-to motto, followed by a huge grin as she saunters away, giggling that you might have believed she was being serious.
She is very dedicated to her craft, however, whether it be playing basketball and softball (she’s adding soccer when she hits high school) or making a run at McKayla and McKenzie’s title of Photo Bomb Queen.
Bailey wants to make the duo proud.
“My big sisters had a lot to do with who I am as a player. They have always shown me the way,” she said. “I want to show my sisters that the little sister can kick as much butt as they did – maybe more!”
Following in their footsteps helped prepare her for her own athletic exploits, as well.
“I have been drug to so many of my sister’s games that I learned a lot just from watching,” Bailey said.
Like her sisters, she plays positions which require leadership skills and a knowledge of the game.
“I think one of my strengths is my awareness of the game, both on the field and the court,” Bailey said.
She claims no favorites, saying she enjoys all of her sports and gets something positive out of each.
“Can’t wait for seasons to start and then I’m ready for a break by the end of the season and excited to start the next one!,” Bailey said. “I enjoy the competition and playing/working with my teammates and friends.”
As she moves forward, she wants to “work on my speed and overall power,” with an eye on “making varsity before junior year.”
When she jumps to high school, she’ll retain fond memories of “Coach Ryan (King’s) technical and the bus rides to far, far away places.”
Away from the athletic stage, Bailey is a fan of movies like How to Train Your Dragon and the Harry Potter series and loves spending time outside.
“I like reading, hunting, building things with wood, hanging out with my friends and long walks on the beach,” she said.
Along with her sisters, and the 237 family members (give or take one or two) who show up to support her at games, Bailey gets strong support from her fervent fan club.
“Coach Bob Martin has always seen my potential,” Bailey said. “Also, (I appreciate) my friend Genna (Wright), who pushes me to be better and my mom and dad for always supporting me.”
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