Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Clayton Valley Charter’s Grace Pugh
School: Clayton Valley Charter High School
Grade: Senior
Sports: Water Polo, Swimming
“You can’t have the best of both worlds” is a common expression. However, time and time again, Pugh proves this maxim false.
During her four years at Clayton Valley Charter, Pugh has shown excellence in both her academic and athletic ventures, while remaining very involved in school and community activities. She competed on varsity swimming all four years, her main strokes being the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and 100 backstroke. Pugh also swam on the Springwood Swim Team for 12 years.
She spent three years as a member of the Ugly Eagles varsity water polo team. During her freshman year, Pugh began playing club water polo for 680 Drivers. As a sophomore she received honorable mention all-Diablo Athletic League and Pugh was the DAL Offensive MVP and first-team all-league in her 2019 junior season. That team reached the semi-finals of the North Coast Section playoffs. Although Pugh wished she could have experienced the senior season she and her teammates expected, she feels more than grateful to be able to play four last games with her CVCHS water polo team this year and was honored as team MVP.
Activities
When not in the pool, Pugh is a dedicated member of Clayton Valley Public Service Academy and ASB Leadership, all while maintaining a 4.33 GPA and earning a place on the NCS Scholastic Honor Roll every year. She committed to play water polo at Azusa Pacific University the next four years.
Pugh looks forward to moving to Southern California and competing for a Christian school starting this fall. She chose to major in chemistry and plans on working in the dental field after college. Pugh is thankful for all the friends and memories that Clayton Valley has given her and, although she wishes she could have experienced high school to its fullest extent, she looks forward to her next chapter as a student and water polo player at APU.
CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Grace and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have served the Clayton and Concord area for 25 years at Family Vision Care Optometry. www.laceyandruzicka.com
Do you know a young athlete who should be recognized? Perhaps he or she has shown exceptional sportsmanship, remarkable improvement or great heart for the sport. Send your nomination for the Pioneer Athlete Spotlight today to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.