SANGER – Marjorie Krueger scored a lot of points in and out of the pool during her four years as swimmer and water polo player at Sanger High. And for her efforts, Krueger recently shared one of the CIF’s highest honors recognizing Central Section student-athletes for her hard work and excellence.
Back on May 5, Krueger stood proud on the podium as the CIF honored her with its Scholar-Athlete Award for her athletic, academic and community achievements at a recognition dinner at The Gardens restaurant in Tulare. Nominated by Sanger High Athletic Director Brian Penner, Krueger was excited to find out that she was selected to represent the County/Metro Athletic Conference (CMAC) among all of the other fantastic female athletes in the conference.
“I kind of was shocked that I was chosen to represent the whole CMAC league because there’s so many other wonderful female athletes who have put in a lot of work and time into their sport,” said Krueger. “I was really honored to be able to receive this award and not only represent Sanger High School but represent CMAC all together.”
While at Sanger, Krueger outswam the competition, participating in D-I Valleys all four years and winning individual medals in the 200 and 500 meter events. Krueger was also a USA Water Polo Academic All-American, and a Praetorian Water Polo Club Member.
And Krueger wasn’t the only student in the Mid Valley Times coverage region to take home the honors. Over in Fowler, baseball player Davian Alcaraz represented the Northwest Sequoia League (NWSL). Alcaraz carried a 4.44 GPA and was involved in numerous charitable and community organizations.
Traversing further south, as well as a little to the east, Kingsburg High’s John Peterson and Selma High’s Jacob Hernandez and Reedley High’s Sophia Milton represented the Tri-County Conference (TCC). Peterson maintained a 4.14 GPA while lettering in basketball, swimming and football. He was involved with local church and community organizations.
Hernandez played football, baseball and wrestling while carrying a 3.90 GPA. He served as a youth coach, community volunteer and school tutor. As for Milton, she excelled with a 4.29 GPA while participating in water polo and swimming. Some of Milton’s accomplishments include serving as an ASB representative and a Reedley Chamber of Commerce Junior Board Member.
Making the grade
As a student, Krueger was the ASB Athletic Commissioner and Interact Club Member who graduated with a 4.15 GPA. In addition, Krueger was heavily involved with numerous community and church volunteer projects.
“Over my four years of high school, I faced a lot of different challenges, and God has helped me a lot,” said Krueger. “I feel like my faith is very important to me, and I wouldn’t be the person that I am today without God in my life or having great parents and friends who supported me along the way.”
Dave Hasegawa, Krueger’s swimming and water polo coach during her four years at Sanger, played an instrumental role in watching Krueger achieve all of the goals they both had for her academic and athletic success.
“Marjorie is just one of those really great kids willing to work hard when she decides to be dedicated about something,” said Hasegawa. “She’s really good about setting goals, and then working at achieving these goals.”
“He’s helped me, whether it’s doing extra morning practices, just trying to get my time down,” said Krueger about Hasegawa’s impact. “And I feel like if I didn’t have him as a coach, I probably wouldn’t have been able to get these awards and honors and be able to represent Sanger High School at Valleys.”
And what is Krueger’s message to future Apaches as she rides off into the sunset?
“I would just tell them to work hard, basically, not only in their sport, but in the classroom, because you want to do good in both areas so that you’re able to succeed,” she said.
