Chet Thompson

Gig Harbor High senior a star in the classroom, on the field and in the community

Chet Thompson is a star athlete with a unique accomplishment: He played on three varsity teams in high school. While an injury forced him to withdraw from basketball during his junior year, he has a long list of achievements in baseball and football.

Thompson recalled his resistance to taking up T-ball when he was 5, saying his parents “pushed” him to do it.

“I cried when I first got there — and then I fell in love with it,” he said.

That love has continued since then, as Thompson plans to play baseball at the University of Portland next year. Last summer, he was selected for a Mariners camp with top West Coast players.

He also is a star on the football team, having been selected by both the News Tribune and the Kitsap Sun as an All-Area quarterback. He also was voted the Narrows League’s Most Valuable Player on offense. A three-time starting quarterback, he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and passed for more than 1,000 in 2008.

Thompson said the best part about being on the teams is the adrenaline rush he gets.

“I love pushing myself to my greatest ability,” he said.

Dan Oliver, one of Thompson’s football coaches, said Thompson is one of the finest athletes he has coached.

“His enthusiasm for athletics is second only to his love and affection for his family,” Oliver said. “Everything Chet does has the quality that demands respect and integrity ... his ability to lead others by his actions is so natural that it brings forth the best in other players.”

Thompson has a 3.98 grade-point average, having earned As in all his classes but one. He said he put school before other interests in order to succeed.

“Having to balance everything is hard, but being able to play sports is worth it,” he said.

Thompson praised his supportive family and coaches who encouraged him, and he said they also inspired him to give back. For his senior project, he became involved with Habitat for Humanity in order to learn more about building homes.

Thompson plans to get a degree in math, and he has a dream of becoming an architect.

“As a student, Chet is by far one of the most hard-working I have ever had,” said Rebecca Wenrich, a GHHS English teacher. “He knows what is expected of him, and he works toward surpassing that.”

Chet Thompson

Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School

GPA: 3.98

Parents: Steve and Linda Thompson

Activities/achievements: Varsity baseball (four years), First Team All-Narrows League center fielder; varsity football (three years), Narrows League offensive MVP, honorable mention quarterback, team captain, Tacoma News Tribune and Kitsap Sun All-Area quarterback; volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, GHHS Compassion Crew, Peninsula Football youth camp, TideFest, elementary school reading tutor, Muscular Dystrophy camp.

Favorite teacher: Ms. Breckan. “Not only did she teach me correct methods to solve math problems, but she looked to connect with all the students,” Thompson said.

Best thing about high school: “Most teachers have strong relationships with their students,” he said. “Teachers always stop to say hello to students they know.”