Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Susie Kresch
CONCORD, CA—School: Clayton Valley Charter High School, Grade: Senior, Sport: Basketball
Four-year Ugly Eagles girls varsity basketball player Kresch still has high hopes for her senior season despite the alarming number of new COVID-19 cases and increasing school program shutdowns. She has had a passion for the sport since she was seven years old playing for local club teams such as Elevate Basketball & Performance Training and Blaze All Out Sports League.
She was awarded CV’s best defensive player award during her sophomore year and voted honorable mention all-Diablo Athletic League. Kresch was all-tournament at the West Coast Jamboree and voted all-league second team her junior season. CVCHS girls basketball teams have made 12 straight trips to the North Coast Section playoffs. Last year’s squad won its first section game and was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Like most 2021 graduating athletes, the beginning of Kresch’s final season at CVCHS is playing out much differently than she had imagined or hoped. She acknowledges that not returning to campus has hindered her conditioning opportunities, understandable considering that she has not been able to train with her team. The situation has allowed her to train in ways she would not have before, implementing new strategies and incorporating different, refined drills. She still fervently holds that if she and the rest of her squad are given the opportunity to play, they “will be ready for the season to start.”
Everything happens for a reason
Kresch has the same attitude regarding her experience with remote learning, sharing that “virtual school has caused everyone involved to relearn the way school is done.” She believes “everything happens for a reason, and it will end up okay in the end.”
The senior has maintained a cumulative 4.3 GPA while serving as vice president of CV’s chapter of Women in Science and Engineering. She is involved with a Contra Costa youth coalition called CourAGE which helps pass policies and promote education regarding the dangers of alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs and tobacco, and she is a junior core confirmation leader at St Bonaventure Church.
Kresch plans on attending Tulane University in New Orleans to study architecture. Although she isn’t going to play basketball at the collegiate level, she admits that her lifelong passion for the sport will not be easy to give up and she’ll play recreationally any chance she can get.
CVCHS student journalist Alexa Oldham wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Susie and thanks Athlete Spotlight sponsors Dr. Laura Lacey & Dr. Christopher Ruzicka who have been serving 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