Alyssa Andrews

Gig Harbor High senior a state and nationally recognized athlete, No. 1 ranked academically

Alyssa Andrews, a nationally recognized cross-country athlete, not only was named the state’s Gatorade female cross-country athlete of the year in 2008, she has a 4.0 grade-point average. She plans to attend Washington State University on a full athletic scholarship for cross country and track and field.

Andrews started her athletic career with soccer when she was young. She joined her sister on the team and their father was a coach.

“Soccer became my passion,” said Andrews, who played the sport through this year both with the school and a club team. She ended her soccer career in order to focus on cross country and track.

Quitting soccer was a difficult decision. As a compromise last year, Andrews continued with the club team while she ran for the school’s cross country and track teams.

“It is a testament to her physical, mental and emotional strength that she made it through the year with only minor injuries,” said Patty Ley, Gig Harbor High School cross country coach. “Not only did she bear the weight of dual team responsibilities, but she maintained her academic standards, and she was thrust into a leadership and training role she didn’t fully expect.”

Andrews set records in almost every race she pursued, and she has a long list of achievements in all the sports in which she’s participated. Her coaches say she stood apart the rest, especially because of her leadership abilities.

Andrews led a team of less-experienced runners at the state championship race, finishing second by a mere one point. A week later, she ran a course record at a regional meet in Idaho, beating champions from four other states.

“National media coverage stated ‘it was supposed to be an epic showdown ... it turned into a coronation,’ ” said Kevin Eager, a GHHS teacher and coach who added that Andrews’ competitiveness, character, grace, perseverance and hard work showed both on the field and in the classroom.

Andrews plans to study biology at WSU and become a physical therapist — a choice inspired by her father, who is a physical therapist as well. She will rejoin her sister, Amanda, on the WSU team, after having been her teammate when Amanda attended Gig Harbor High.

Andrews gives credit to her team and her coaches for her success.

“I was dedicated to the sport and the team,” she said, adding that the support of her teammates as well as her family and friends was important.

Alyssa Andrews

Education: Senior, Gig Harbor High School

GPA: 4.0

Parents: David and Jeanna Andrews

Activities/achievements: Varsity cross-country captain, Most Inspirational, sixth place at state individually, first-place team, Nike Northwest Regionals first place, first place at state, ESPN/Rise magazine national athlete of the week, Gatorade 2008 state female cross-country athlete of the year; varsity track state competitor, Most Valuable; soccer premier division team captain; National Honor Society; National Society of Scholar Athletes.

Favorite teacher: Derek Lovelace, because “he made me love math again,” Andrews said.

Best thing about high school: “The teachers have been great teachers and mentors.”