Like his siblings before him, Kody Newman made a big splash at the state tennis tourney.
You know their name, cause athletic success is their game.
Few, if any, Whidbey Island families have had the kind of sustained excellence that Mike and Pam Newman’s children have brought to South Whidbey High School.
Jenny, Caitie, Riley, Lindsey, Hayley, Carlie and Kody have combined to win four state tennis titles, pour thousands of points through the basketball hoop, tear up the soccer pitch and generally be the gold standard for Falcon Nation.
While his older siblings left big shoes to fill, Kody, who will be a junior at SWHS this fall, has stepped right up.
Right out of the gate he made a splash at the state tennis tourney, finishing fourth in 1A as a freshman, winning three of four matches at the big dance.
As a sophomore hoops star, he torched Coupeville for a game-high 21, burying five treys.
For his next act, though, he’s going to mix things up a bit.
Newman, who’s played tennis, basketball and soccer since hitting high school, is headed to the baseball diamond next spring.
And, in a move sure to send shock waves through the net community his family has ruled, he may also switch up fall sports.
“I haven’t decided if I’m doing tennis again,” Newman said. “Or trying something new and play football.”
A talented natural athlete who lives for competition (“my life is sports,” he said with a laugh), Kody draws big rewards from his efforts.
“With sports I can always forget about my problems,” Newman said. “It’s just me and the ball, everything else is gone.
“I’m not thinking about my grades or drama around school, I’m thinking about why that jump shot didn’t go in, or how I can improve on bunting in baseball,” he added. “It’s very relaxing and can always make me happy!”
While he enjoys all his activities, if he had to choose one, the siren call of the hardwood is hard to ignore.
“My favorite sport is basketball,” Newman said. “I grew up playing with my siblings and it was a way we could all connect.
“I would rebound for my brother and sisters and they’d do the same so we could all improve.”
Having that chance to work on his skill-set, to take what genetics have given him and fine-tune his strengths while shoring up any (minor) weaknesses, drives Newman.
“I think that my desire to always get better and being open to constructive criticism is my best attribute,” he said. “I love getting feedback from people to always improve.
“I’d love to work on getting my vertical higher, because, with being shorter, it’s hard to get rebounds or block shots.”
As he’s progressed in all of his sports, Newman has had a string of coaches who have made an impact on him, both as an athlete and person.
He reels off an impressive list — “Mike Washington, Travis Tornga, Henry Pope, Ernie Merino, Tom and Karyle Kramer, Cj Baker and Josh Coleman” — then adds praise for others, as well.
“All the other coaches I’ve had, including Little League and Parks and Rec, and, of course, all my teammates,” Newman said. “Especially Lewis Pope for always teaching me moves and always being supportive!”
And don’t forget about his biggest fans, who have given him legends to aim for, and plenty of support as he finds his own path to success.
“Most importantly, my siblings and family for coming to all my sporting events and pushing me to do better.”
Newman has his eyes set on playing college ball, but his immediate future revolves around helping the Falcons fly high while competing against King’s and Archbishop Thomas Murphy in the always-tough 1A/2A Cascade Conference.
“I hope to make the playoffs again for basketball and hopefully help the baseball team go back to state,” he said.
In the few moments when he’s not living the athletic life, Newman, who wants to be a fire fighter, enjoys his science classes and spending time with family.
“I like spending time at the beach wake boarding with my brother, or playing beach volleyball with my sister or going to the pool with my girl friend,” he said.
While sports and life may take him away from his home in the future, the southern part of the Island, where he has grown up and grown into a star, will always be special.
“I love South Whidbey because everyone is kind to each other and it’s just an all round great community to be in.”
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