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Posts Tagged ‘Happy birthday’

Kyla Briscoe (John Fisken photo)

   Birthday girl Kyla Briscoe will be in uniform Saturday and playing in a tourney in South Whidbey. (John Fisken photos)

That time when Kyla and Lauren Rose gave me a cupcake. It was a good day.

  That time when Briscoe and Lauren Rose gave me a cupcake. It was a good day.

The Battlin' Briscoes, Kyla and Tiffany. (Amy Briscoe photo)

The Battlin’ Briscoes, Kyla and Tiffany. (Amy Briscoe photo)

She probably doesn’t want me to do this.

Tough.

Kyla Briscoe, a three-sport star at Coupeville High School who also happens to be one of the most genuinely sweet, kind-hearted, full of life people you’re ever likely to meet, celebrates a birthday today.

And, while she might like to slide under the radar and go unnoticed, it ain’t happenin’.

Kyla is too extraordinary of a young woman to not be recognized.

We can hail her for her athletic skills, which are vast and deep.

From the first moment Kyla stepped onto the CHS campus, she made an impact on the sporting scene.

She started for the Wolf varsity volleyball and softball squads as a mere freshman, and was a scrappy, defensive-minded hustler for a JV basketball team that went 9-0 in league play.

Now, as a sophomore, she’s right back at it, holding down a starting slot with the Wolf spikers, who are playing in the South Whidbey Invitational on her birthday.

But, like most people we celebrate around here, she is far, far more than just a mere athlete.

I have known Miss Briscoe for a good chunk of her young life, and seen her and older sister Tiffany grow into confident, smart, deeply caring young women.

Like all sisters, they go after each other from time to time, but both of them would drop-kick you through a door and over a fence if you dared to mess with their sibling.

Loyalty, both to their sister by blood and their sisters by choice (their teammates and friends) runs miles deep in the Briscoe clan.

Kyla can be shy from time to time, and I kinda get the feeling that the moments when she gets shoved into the spotlight, like this, are a bit of a pain in her rear.

Well, sometimes every one thinks so highly of you, that you have to endure for a bit.

And Kyla?

You are amazing. You are awesome. You are a bright, vivacious young woman who just happens to be chock full of talent, gumption and sunshine.

You are going to go far and accomplish much. I, like everyone who meets you, think the world of you.

Happy birthday, Miss Briscoe!! May your day shine as brightly as you do.

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Lathom Kelley: American Bad-Ass

Lathom Kelley: American Bad-Ass

Lathom, Lathom, Lathom

The Coupeville High School Class of 2016 has a parade of talented athletes — Makana Stone, Wiley Hesselgrave, Dalton Martin, Sylvia Hurlburt, Jared Helmstadter, Ryan Griggs, McKenzie Bailey and on and on.

But one dude stands out, the wild child, the rebel, the Lone Wolf who most closely resembles an outlaw country singer from the ’70s (I’m leaning towards Waylon Jennings), both in looks and attitude.

I’m serious.

Go listen to Jennings sing “I’ve Always Been Crazy” and tell me you don’t pick up parallels to Lathom Kelley, and I mean that with deep respect.

Waylon was The Man, and so is Lathom.

As he celebrates his 18th birthday today, Mr. Kelley is a fireball of intensity, exploding upwards and off the walls at CHS.

Sometimes literally, as when he sprints by you and zooms up the gym wall, executing a back-flip punctuated by a guttural scream and huge grin after sticking the landing like a Ukrainian gymnast winning the gold medal.

He is the most entertaining guy in sports entertainment, Coupeville division, mainly cause you never know what he’s about to do.

On the football field, he is pure, crackling electricity, madly thumping rival runners, then crashing through the line himself, throwing care to the wind as he churns out yardage.

Put him near a track oval and there is nothing the guy can’t do. Seriously.

While he has his areas of expertise, such as sprints, part of the fun of the past few years has been watching Lathom cartwheel from event to event, randomly picking up a new challenge and then kicking booty with no prior preparation.

Off the athletic stage, his sarcastic grin just barely disguises the good dude underneath.

The impression I have always had of him is of a guy who lives and dies for his close friends and family.

A genuinely nice guy, but also the person most likely to cap a roving pack of zombies and save the world, if it came to that.

Athletes come and athletes go, and some make more of an impression than others, either through their accomplishments or their personality.

But, every once in awhile, a true supernova comes hurtling through the door, grabs the world by the lapels and screams, “Let’s get this party started!!”

Lathom is one of a kind, of that there is no doubt. And we are a better school, a better town, for having him burn brightly here these past years.

Much respect, on your birthday and every day, man.

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James Vidoni

James Vidoni (John Fisken and Monica Vidoni photos)

James Vidoni’s big day is a big day for all of Wolf Nation.

As the Coupeville High School sophomore celebrates his birthday today, he and his teammates will kick-off a new football season tonight.

And, of course, it’s no mere game, as the Wolves invade Langley to clash with their Island arch-rivals, South Whidbey (7 PM).

At stake? The Bucket (which CHS has held for the last year), another year of bragging rights and the chance to make the Southenders weep salty tears of despair.

Before he hops on the bus, possibly riding a sugar high from cake, we want to take a moment to pay tribute to Mr. Vidoni.

A three-sport athlete for Coupeville (football, basketball, baseball) and younger brother of former Wolf Monica Vidoni, James is a quiet, let’s-go-hit-someone kind of guy.

So, exactly the sort of dude most coaches like.

As he continues to grow and come into his own as an athlete, the future is bright for Vidoni and we wish him all the best, on the field and off.

Happy birthday, James!

Now, go make some Falcons cry.

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Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken photos)

Hunter Smith: One cool cat. (John Fisken and Charlotte Smith photos)

When Charlotte Smith gives birth, the kids hit the floor running, already with skills.

At least it seems that way, as all three of her progeny — CJ, Hunter and Scout — stand tall among the best athletes in Coupeville at present, and they’ve all been shining since they were barely out of diapers.

And while CJ is the oldest and Scout is going to be the biggest star (I’m calling it now), it’s Hunter who celebrates a birthday today, so we’re focusing on the middle child.

And why not? He’s on the cusp of busting out and becoming a superstar as a sophomore.

Last year, he was the only freshman in the 1A Olympic League to be named to the All-League football team, then followed that up with often-explosive work on the basketball court.

Topping his year?

He was a breakout hit on the baseball diamond from day one, teaming with his brother in the infield and on the mound to give outgoing CHS coach Willie Smith the most consistent reason to smile all season.

New school year, skills even more fine-tuned? Hunter is ready to blow up.

But, if he does, will the Zen Master crack a smile on the field? That’s the bigger question.

Like CJ before him, Hunter is a cool cat.

Not emotionless (I’ve seen him grin in photos, just not in the heat of athletic battle), but composed, the kind of guy who doesn’t crack easily under pressure and doesn’t waste a whole lot of time worrying about photo ops.

Kid is a throwback to the olden days, a three-sport athlete who is willing to let his talent speak for itself.

Now, maybe he’s Mr. Chatty away from the field, off the court, but all I have to go on is what I see in person.

And what I see is impressive.

Remarkably composed for a young athlete, a hard worker, a guy who doesn’t coast but busts his rear on every play, a leader, and, like his siblings and parents (Charlotte and Chris) a true blessing to have here in Coupeville.

Happy birthday, Hunter. Much respect, man.

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Abby Parker: Supernova

Abby Parker: Supernova with a sweet spirit.

Abby Parker can do it all.

One of the sunniest, sweetest-natured, most talented young women in all of Cow Town, the Coupeville High School sophomore, who celebrates a birthday today, was indispensable last spring for the Wolf track team.

Had an event you wanted to fill? Parker was your woman.

During her freshman season, the list of events she competed in was extensive: 200, 800, 1500, 3000, discus, javelin, long jump and 4 x 400 relay.

And she wasn’t just filling a slot.

Most of her PR’s came late in the season, as Abby continually dropped time and threw further as the season unfolded.

She is one to watch as she heads into her second year of high school sports, and not just in track.

Parker is currently prepping for the start of volleyball season, and there is strong hope she’ll return to the hardwood in the winter.

As a middle school hoopster, she was a relentless ball-hawk with a bounce in her step.

And this is all fine and dandy.

Parker is a talented athlete, one who can often be seen competing in various running events with her aunt, Kathy O’Brien, on weekends.

But the real reason we are here to celebrate Abby’s birthday is she could step completely away from sports, and she’d still be pretty dang awesome.

A freshman Homecoming princess, the impression she gives off to the people on the sidelines is of a very smart, super-friendly young woman who is incredibly devoted to her friends and family.

Seeing her interact with others, watching her quietly sneak onto the softball sidelines after track practice and surprise-hug “second mom” Amy Briscoe, one word comes to mind.

Class.

Abby Parker is many things wrapped in one. Athlete. Student. Ray of sunshine.

But, most of all, she is classy, through and through.

As you celebrate your 16th birthday today, Abby, the world is yours. You are going to accomplish great things, on and off the athletic field, and none of us will be surprised when you do.

So, enjoy your day, Miss Parker, and always know how highly everyone — your family, your friends, your fans — regards you.

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