Revs up by learning new things
By Jesse Cole
Cole Reeves has taken a little bit of the culture from each place he has lived to create a lifestyle brimming with activity and an appreciation for trying new things.
Prior to moving to the Wood River Valley, Reeves lived in Costa Rica and California, culminating in an appreciation for the ocean, land and mountains, and all of the physical challenges that they provide.
As a senior at Wood River High School, Reeves participates in varsity soccer and track, and even tried golf his junior year when he had to take a break from track due to torn cartilage in his knees. Outside of school, he hones his competitive edge through Nordic skiing and surfing. Each sport has an entirely different appeal for the 17-year-old.
“I love the family aspect of soccer,” Reeves said. “That’s kind of a cliché, but Wood River soccer takes it to a whole other level. We’ve made it, we’ve gone to state, we’ve won state, we’ve lost in finals to get there. We’ve been through it all, so we have really strong bonds by the end of every year. That’s comforting, but it also makes you want to push yourself to be better.”
Meanwhile, surfing provides a counterbalance to competitiveness with calm.
“Surfing is so tranquil,” Reeves said. “The spirituality behind it is unbelievable. I had no idea it would impact me in that way, but everybody out there is in the same boat as you, thinking, ‘this is unbelievable.’ You’re basically being able to ride one of the strongest elements in the world.”
While five sports demand a significant amount of time, Reeves has never considered focusing solely on one.
“I absolutely love all my sports,” he said. “It’s mostly about being balanced for me, and being able to learn new things. There’s definitely a draw to ‘I don’t know how to do this. Show me how and let me try it and figure it out from there.’”
This balance and insatiable drive to try everything is evident in Reeves’ class schedule, as well. In addition to a variety of sports, he is taking a variety of courses with A.P. Psychology, American Government, A.P. Statistics, Business Management, College English, and Introduction to Art.
“I’m thinking of going into business, either sales or entrepreneurship,” Reeves said. “I think being able to make your own business and being able to impact other people, to make a dent somehow, is a pretty cool perspective to have in life.”
Whether it’s making an impact in sports or in business, Reeves will no doubt leave a mark with his simple belief that, “In the end, it’s always about just trying to get better.”
Editor’s Note: Anyone who would like to recommend a Blaine County School District student for The Weekly Sun’s “Student Spotlight” feature should contact The Weekly Sun at
news@theweeklysun.com.