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Posts Tagged ‘Happy birthday’

Birthday trio (clockwise from top left) Connor McCormick, Allie Hanigan and Sean LeVine.

Birthday trio (clockwise from top left) Connor McCormick, Allie Hanigan and Sean LeVine.

June 11 stands as one of the deeper days for producing excellence in Wolf Nation.

If we wanted to hand out birthday well wishes to everyone and their sister, we could include Jennifer Dohner and Kristi Etzell, moms who sent numerous talented offspring through the halls of Coupeville High School.

But, for the moment, we’ll focus on three who have made a big impact on Wolf sports in the last few years — Allie Hanigan, Connor McCormick and Sean LeVine.

McCormick, who will be a senior at CHS in the fall, has done a bit of everything, and always done it with great passion.

Soccer goalie, deadly doubles player on the tennis court, baseball and football stud in his earlier days and a medal-winning twin threat with Science Club and History Day.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for the middle McCormick child as he upholds the family tradition of awesomeness.

LeVine may technically not be a Wolf, having played soccer in his younger days for a different school that shall go unnamed, but his impact on Coupeville sports is undeniable.

His progeny — Micky “Two Fists” LeVine, Jae “Mighty Mite” LeVine and Izzy “The Real Superstar” LeVine, are among the brightest talents in the land, precocious, uber-talented, super smart (and sometimes smart-ass) young women.

Then there is LeVine’s soccer coaching career, which has touched countless lives.

Whether working with youth soccer programs, or guiding the Whidbey Islanders select soccer squad, which brought together players from Coupeville, Oak Harbor and the South end and rattled the big city programs to their core, Sean has guided the growth and development of an entire generation of pitch stars.

Plus, he’s done it all while working as a superhero on the side (he’s a paramedic) and showing an ability to grow an impressive beard. The man is multi-talented.

Topping off our trio is Hanigan, who moved to Coupeville from my birthplace, Kelso, and immediately became a two-sport sensation.

Ruling the volleyball and tennis courts for two years, she was a fearsome hitter who played in much the same way she moves through real life, with epic grace and style.

Allie is walking, talking class personified and even though she’s moved on to college life, she’s not easily forgotten.

As individuals or as a group, the terrific trio of McCormick, LeVine and Hanigan make the rest of us look better for being loosely connected to them.

Here’s to happy birthdays for all three, this year and in the future.

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Josh Bayne, being all awesome and stuff.

Josh Bayne, being all awesome and stuff.

The coolest cat in the room. Always.

Josh Bayne has glided through life at Coupeville High School in much the same way he slices ‘n dices defenses on the football field — with ease, while always looking stylish doing it.

As he celebrates his birthday today, with graduation just a few days away, he is at the top of his game.

Olympic League MVP and All-State on both sides of the ball during football season, with an invitation to the Earl Barden East-West All-Star Classic later this month.

When baseball arrived, Bayne punched out his usual stellar season, earning his second First Team All-Conference selection of the school year.

Wednesday he’ll be in Bellingham, joining Wolf teammates Aaron Curtin, Kyle Bodamer and Aaron Trumbull at the state feeder games.

And, while he didn’t play basketball, he was always front and center to cheer on his classmates. If there was a costume to be worn, he was your man.

The rampaging force of nature who CHS hardball guru Willie Smith tabbed “Awesome Joshsome” was a truly electrifying athlete.

Whether rupturing spleens by launching himself like a heat-seeking missile at ball carriers or sporting a huge grin as he shot around third base after hammering a home run into the parking lot, Bayne enjoyed his days in the red and black.

As he moves on to accomplish big things in the real world, we, his fans, want to wish him the best and send him big birthday greetings.

You can’t stop the Bayne Train. You can’t contain him. But you can applaud him as he sails by.

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Breeanna Messner (John Fisken and Shelli trumbull photos)

The many smiles of Breeanna Messner.

You try to be fair.

Try to take all the athletes you cover and regard them as equals, all being worthy of coverage and hyperbole, and sometimes, downright gushing.

But, invariably, a person can’t help but play favorites.

It’s human nature.

So, I will be the first to admit that Breeanna Messner, former four-sport Coupeville High School star, current college student and today’s birthday girl, is higher on my list than most.

Miss Messner is one of the most genuinely sweet, caring, lovely human beings I have ever met, and she has been that way from the first day I knew her to the last time I saw her.

Breeanna the athlete was one of the hardest workers I have seen, the indispensable glue to every team she was on, the one every coach adored.

Breeanna the person is even better.

My lasting image is of her in the stands during JV games, with her varsity teammates, one eye on the game, cheering for the younger Wolves, while simultaneously doing her homework.

Except for those moments when she would spring up to go hug her grandparents, her little cousin, each and every one of her former coaches, when they entered the gym.

When someone exudes love to those around her, takes the time in the middle of her own preparation and concentration, to make sure others feel appreciated, it is a sign that person is special herself.

As a cheerleader, a volleyball spiker, a gritty hoops player, a rock-solid softball catcher, Bree made big plays, won big games.

Off the court, away from the diamond, she won hearts and minds by simply being herself.

As she celebrates her birthday today, I hope life is repaying her big-time for being one truly amazing young woman.

Breezy, you are the best. Always.

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Rockin' Robin Cedillo (John Fisken photo)

Rockin’ Robin Cedillo lights up the entire prairie. (John Fisken photos)

Strike a pose.

Strike a pose.

Queen of the fish.

Queen of the fish.

Robin Cedillo is like a force of nature.

A really, really, super-friendly, outgoing, sunshine-shooting-out-of-every-pore force of nature, at that.

The Coupeville High School sophomore, who celebrates a birthday today, is an athlete, a softball-playin’, cheer team-screamin’ whirlwind, but what truly sets her apart from most every other athlete is her happiness.

She is a walking, talking, frequently-giggling, epic smile come to life and she makes everyone around her, from family to teammates, at least 17% more joyful on a daily basis.

Seeing her interact with her little niece Charlie, who came unglued and almost stormed the field every time Auntie Robin did something on the softball diamond, would have melted even the Grinch’s heart.

There is a lot to be said for being so full of life, and seeing Robin bop by can’t help but make everyone’s day better.

I hope her birthday is as phenomenal as possible, cause she deserves to be celebrated.

You, rockin’ Robin, are freakin’ awesome, and I hope people tell you that every single day.

May your radiant smile never, ever dim, even for a second.

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Zane Bundy, soccer star, dapper dresser and birthday boy. (John Fisken photo)

Zane Bundy, soccer star, dapper dresser and birthday boy. (John Fisken photos)

Once a Wolf, always a Wolf -- softball/cheer/cookie baking whiz kid Emily Licence.

Once a Wolf, always a Wolf — softball/cheer/cookie baking whiz kid Emily Licence.

There are a million, billion twinkling lights in the Wolf Nation universe, and two of the brightest share a birthday today.

Zane Bundy and Emily Licence are united by the day they popped into the world, and by general awesomeness, if not by a school anymore.

Licence, who a year ago was just about to slap on her face mask and patrol third base for CHS at the state softball tournament, now lives in California after a family move.

But just because she’s in a different state doesn’t detract a bit from the legacy she left behind during her days as a Wolf.

Scrappy infielder and pitcher. Peppy cheerleader. A saint who baked me cookies and presented them to me at one of her softball games.

Emily was all of those things, plus a talented dancer and owner of a serene, sweet personality.

Now, another town, another school, benefits from having her grace them with her presence, but she was a Wolf first, and a pretty darn great one.

One of us, always.

Mr. Bundy is a high-flying daredevil on the soccer pitch who rocks a suit and tie combo like few high school students ever have.

It still throws me off a bit to see him cruising through high school as a matinee idol, since he’s one of the kids who grew up in the aisles of Videoville.

He was always super cool even as a young boy, and, while the hair and clothes have gotten a bit fancier (the guy is the king of slick soccer shoes), Zane is still as friendly and easy-going as always.

Both of today’s birthday cake recipients are good athletes and better people, and should make their parents truly proud.

Whether I’ve known them most of their life, or just for a brief time, they have both impressed me and, I am sure, will continue to do so.

Wherever they celebrate today, I wish them both the best.

Happy birthday Emily and Zane.

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