South Whidbey three-sport star Chase Barthlett. (Submitted photo)
Know your foe and respect him, too.
When Coupeville High School opens a new football season Sept. 3, one of the players they’ll need to keep an eye on is Chase Barthlett.
The South Whidbey three-sport star is a rampaging force for the Falcons from his center and defensive end positions, and one intent on helping the forces of Langley retain possession of The Bucket.
While those of us in Coupeville obviously hope he goes home disappointed after the Island rivalry game, we can’t help but take a moment to give him props for all he’s accomplished.
Barthlett, who wants to be an All-State lineman during his final prep season, has his eyes set firmly on an extended gridiron career.
“After high school I want to play college football and then after go on to the NFL,” he said. “Of course, this isn’t a sure thing, so, if not that, then I would love to have a job in the graphic design field of work.”
On the field, Barthlett leads by example, never flinching from battle.
“My best strengths are the physical contact, cause you get to really see the fight or flight instinct in action,” he said.
Barthlett brings the same attitude to his other sports, wrestling and track.
On the mat, he’s a state meet veteran who went to Australia this summer to compete in an international tourney. While there he finished second in his weight class and his team finished third.
When spring rolls around, Barthlett runs the 4 x 100 while spending the majority of his time as a thrower, competing in the shot put, discus and javelin.
He’s been to bi-districts twice in the shot put, finishing fifth as both a sophomore and junior.
A big fan of the Will Ferrell film Step Brothers and hip-hop music, Barthlett gravitates to history class when in school.
“My favorite class has always been history,” he said. “Because you can compare so much of it to present times.”
Family and friends help keep him centered, both in sports and in everyday life.
“The people who have made an impact on me the most have been my parents and my friends,” Barthlett said. “Especially my two best friends, who graduated last year; they really brought me up and showed me how to lead.”
As he looks forward to kicking off his senior year, the Falcon senior doesn’t badmouth his team’s closest rival, instead choosing to focus on the positives he sees in his own program.
“Well, every football team has their own little things that makes them better,” Barthlett said. “But one thing that I’ve only seen at my school is even when we are down and out I’ve never seen one guy quit.
“Especially last year, when it was so easy to quit, every single one of us went back out and fought,” he added. “This year we are stronger and faster and we are ready for this year.”
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