| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010 7:15 am |
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High Schools 
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Timeout with … Frankie Breland, senior, Mariner wrestling Refusing to limit his aspirations, Frankie Breland got used to ignoring the doubters. Over and over, he proved them wrong."People used to tell me all the time, 'Oh, you won't be able to do this.' But I've been able to do everything that's normal," said Breland. Born about one month premature, Breland had a congenital abnormality called amniotic band syndrome that affected the formation of his fingers. He also was born with a cleft foot on his left leg, which Breland said a doctor broke and repositioned so Breland could eventually walk normally. None of it stopped Breland from becoming a standout athlete. After receiving all-league football honors as a lineman this past fall, Breland is a heavyweight on the Mariner wrestling team. A video-game enthusiast who loves basketball and plans to major in business at a four-year university, Breland has an easy smile and an upbeat personality. Coach's corner Before this season, Breland hadn't wrestled competitively since he was an eighth-grader at Explorer Middle School. His coach was Otto Olson, who now coaches Breland at Mariner. Breland's return has gone well, said Olson: "We've had some pretty tough practices so far and he's survived them all. A lot of people, when they think about (wrestling) they think, 'Oh, that'll be fun. I'll do that.' And then when it actually comes down to it it's too tough." Why wrestle? Breland played basketball the past three winters but said he switched to wrestling because "I missed the feeling of being able to pick somebody up and slam somebody." In his season debut Breland pinned his opponent in 58 seconds. "That's pretty tough to top that feeling," Olson said. Training with TJ Going against teammate TJ Ratuniyauravu at practice has helped Breland improve in many ways. "He pushes me to go 110 percent. He shows me basically everything," Breland said. "If it wasn't for him, I (don't) know how I'd be able to do it." Thunderous movie trailer Breland's favorite class at Mariner is visual communications, taught by Audrey Sharp. With help from his peers, Breland creates music videos and movie trailers. His favorite project was a spoof trailer for "Tropic Thunder" in which classmates portrayed characters from the 2008 comedy. Unbeatable? When it comes to playing video games like "Madden NFL 09" and "NBA 2K9," Breland dominates. His friends are still trying to defeat him. "I'm really good," said Breland. "I don't think there's anybody that can beat me yet." "If I could meet anyone…" "I would want to meet Martin Luther King, Jr.," Breland said, "because he's been a really big inspiration on young African-Americans. I'd want to know what he went through growing up as a child." Mike Cane, Herald Writer |
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- A revolutionary 747
- Fire breaks out at Everett car dealer
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood
- Snohomish County's bargain housing won't last
- Boeing's 747-8 takes off after weather delay
- Plan for I-5 closures this week
- A new bowling alley for Monroe?
- Lake Stevens man homeless after fire
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged
- Vote on school levies by Tuesday
(9) - A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (7)
- Everett rethinks boutique wineries (6)
- Toyota has powerful D.C. friends (5)
- Everett police officers cleared in 2008 shooting death (5)
- 1949 travel aid shows how few places blacks were welcome in Washington (4)
- I-5 bridge joint may give you a jolt, but it isn't damaged (3)
- Cigarette causes life-threatening burns (2)
- ORCA a whale of an improvement for Community Transit (2)
- Large part from 747 falls outside Miami mall; no one hurt (2)
- Edmonds educator, famous announcer dies
- Mill Creek to appeal ruling on annexation
- Through the air, with the greatest of ease
- E-W thriving under new coach
- The path to citizenship
- EUUC puts on ‘Pants & Shoes’
- Wolfpack wins the ‘Battle'
- Lynnwood’s annexation plans OK’d
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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