Tamar Gruwell (Vacaville HS) - knee surgery ends her junior year in terms of athletics, but in our book she's still "the state's best all-around athlete!"

Tamar Gruwell (Vacaville HS) - our choice as the state's best all-around athlete

Tamar in Cross-Country action last year for Vacaville HS

While scanning the newspapers around the state on the internet to see what was happening in the late summer on the prep sports scen,e we came across the distressing news that Vacaville HS runner Tamar Gruwell had undergone knee surgery and would be out of action for a time. But in the article they talked about all these other sports that she would be missed in because of her surgery. This took us back a bit, since in a lot of cases those who are running the distances in cross-country or track somewhere along the way realized they did not have a shooting touch in basketball or the ability to hit a curve ball in baseball or softball and turned to a sport where everyone was welcome and joined the running scene. It is not too often your state level basketball star will take the time to compete for the cross-country team or the clean up hitter in baseball or softball has the time to run the 800 or longer for the track team. Quite amazing the accomplishments of Tamar as you read along below, as our internet search initially this summer left us kind of shocked at the variety of sporting successes of this young lady!

While she does not mention it below Tamar still accomplished great things as a student, with Coach Ray Hausler indicating that she is a 4.0 student! Sadly, below she does report that she will not be able to take part in sports her junior year of high school. The best story in sports are the "big comeback." Having accomplished far more than any of us ever will before she ever started her senior year, we will be on the lookout for Tamar down the road in whatever activity she decides to continue in. We certainly wish her the best of luck in her rehab and hope she informs us where she will attend College!

When we contacted Coach Hausler about talking to Tamar, he indicated, "You are right to be impressed by her. She has
accomplished so much athletically in addition to her 4.0 gpa. I have also been impressed by her humility regarding what she has accomplished. She is truly one of the finest athletes in this state."

A real tribute to her school, coaches, and family - no doubt in our mind who the best all-around athlete in the state is, Tamar Gruwell of Vacaville HS!

1) Briefly describe the sports that you have competed at for Vacaville HS, and your level of accomplishment in each (don't be shy here)

I received All-League patches in cross country and basketball my freshman and caught for the varsity softball team. The cross country team advanced to the state championships, the basketball team was the section runner-up, and the softball team took fifth. Last year I received four All-League patches for cross country, basketball, softball, and track. I was one of the top twenty sophomores in the state in cross country. I led a basketball team, that won league, sections, norcals, and finished second in the state, in scoring. I hit clean-up and had two game-winning hits in the section tournament for a softball team that went on to win the section championship, and during the same season, I won the league title in the 800 on the track.

2) What sports did you compete at before the high school level when younger?

I was playing softball, soccer, and basketball by age 10. I was forced to give up soccer to make a full committment to basketball; however, I took up cross country in middle school.

3) Do you have any brothers and sisters who were involved in sports, and what did they compete in? How about your parents and their sports involvement when they were younger?

I have two younger brothers, but they're much more interested in drama than sports. My dad bowled and did some pitching at the collegiate level, but my mom was never involved in any.

4) Briefly describe what it is like to compete for two different school teams during the same season, as you did in the spring with track and softball, and how you had time to do homework and maintain the very high grade point average that you have?

I chose to put softball ahead of track, and I only missed Wednesday practices to compete in meets. I did some running after softball practice on my own, but I didn't really have a rigorous training schedule. Fortunately, I was already in fairly decent shape due to cross country and basketball conditioning. I missed a couple of english classes a week, but my teacher was extremely helpful in keeping me up to date with the class. Softball and track took some time, but I had plenty of time to do my homework. Actually, I had less time during basktball season.

5) What flexibility did the coaches provide for you during a season like the spring one with those two sports?

The coaches are great, and I'm really grateful they gave me the opportunity to participate in both sports. The track coaches were perfectly fine with having me whenever there was no conflict with a softball game. The softball coach did both, track and softball, when she was in high school; therefore, she understood my situation and told me that she knew I could be successful in both.

6) How is each of the sports, cross-country, basketball, track and field, and softball a bit different, and how do they help you in different ways to become a better overall athlete?

They're all so different. Cross country takes a strong committment for training over the course of several months. It takes physical and mental toughness. Sometimes it's quite a challenge to keep going and going. Basketball is the fastest of the four. There's constant action and decision-making. It helps with my speed and determination to always work hard and never give up. Track was a new experience that definately helped improve my speed. Softball isn't a very fast game; however, it helps my hand-eye coordination and practices my patience.

7) What have been the one or two top highlights of your prep sports career thus far?

I'll never forget the Norcal basketball playoff game against the Carondelet Cougars of Concord. We trailed the entire game and by as much as 14 with just over 8 minutes remaining in the game. The start of the fourth quarter marked the beginning of an incredible comeback victory. We took a one point lead with three seconds remaining and our celebration at center court started shortly after. However, nothing can beat taking the floor at Arco Arena for the state championship surrounded by a mass of orange. The basketball team had incredible fan support; it's something I'll never forget.

8) How did the knee surgery go (any doctors' comments afterwards about recovery time, etc)?

According to the doctor, the surgery went well. It's been four weeks now. I started walking a couple days ago; however, I'm not going to be able to compete in school sports this year. I'll be out for another five to seven months, and I've decided to concentrate on conditioning instead of trying to play softball.

9) What do you hope to be able to do with sports after high school?

My goal is to get a scholarship to a well to a four-year school and play basketball at the collegiate level.

10) What advice would you have for an athlete who wishes to take part in more than a couple of high school athletic programs during their career at the prep level?

One must work hard in an attempt to reach his/her goals; however, it's important to take time off. Even the best athletes need a time to rest their bodies. Make time for rest, recreation, and school.

Tamar Gruwell

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