Pioneer Athlete Spotlight on Tanner Keys of CVCHS
School: Clayton Valley Charter High School
Grade: Senior
Sports: Cross Country, Track
Dedicated cross country and track runner, Keys is the epitome of an exceptional student athlete. He has been competing in both cross country and track for CVCHS for the entirety of his high school career.
With hard work and determination, Keys worked his way up from running on junior varsity to earning a spot on the varsity team during his junior year. Notably, Keys was awarded Student Athlete of the Month during his sophomore X Country season. Keys originally only had plans to join the track team in the spring during his freshman year, but after a great deal of persuasion from friends, he decided to try cross country. Keys notes that it was a great decision to join cross country, as he quickly found a love for the sport.
Now at the start of his senior season he believes that being an athlete is important because of the social bonds one forms with teammates. Keys says that “being on a team is one of the closest friends groups you can find.” Some of his most favorable moments in cross country include pancake runs and pasta feeds with the team.
A normal season
He is looking forward to having more normal seasons this year and is excited to hopefully finish off his high school career participating in “regular” competitions and social events.
In addition to achieving success on the trails and the track, Keys has also shown great dedication in the classroom. His current GPA is a 4.33. He is a part of the Engineering Academy at CVCHS in addition to the National Honor Society and California Scholarship Federation. Additionally, he tutors students on the side and currently works at Sloat Garden Center.
He plans to attend a four-year university, preferably on the West Coast, and is planning to study mechanical engineering. Keys’ determination and drive to succeed is very admirable and he continues to be proof that hard work pays off.
CVCHS student journalist Katherine Pugh wrote this Spotlight.
The Pioneer congratulates Tanner 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.
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@concordpioneer.com.
Katherine Pugh
Katherine Pugh is a junior at Clayton Valley Charter High School. She enjoys running on the CVCHS cross country team in the fall in addition to the track and field team in the spring. Pugh also swims recreationally for Oakhurst Country Club in the summer. She is a part of the CVCHS Engineering & Design academy and finished her sophomore year with a 4.33 GPA. She’s also excited to be a representative for CVCHS’s ASB leadership group during her junior year. In addition, Pugh works as a hostess at Ed’s Mudville Grill in Clayton. She is very excited to be writing the Student Athlete Spotlight for the Concord Clayton Pioneer.