Yesterday at lunch, eight Granada athletes formally committed to the colleges of their choosing, allowing each of them to further their athletic as well as academic careers in the coming four years. Here is what they had to say about their sport, their future, and their time here at Granada. 

Dheeraj Gurusamy, committed to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (cross country)

How long have you been running and how did you get into it?

I’ve been running for four years, and I was kind of pushed into it by my dad. 

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

Alum Anthony Guerra and the Matterns. 

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

Keep trying, you know, keep going hard, because I gave up a little bit my sophomore year. I got back into it, though, and now I’m here. 

What would you tell kids who are just starting out running or who want to run in college?

Don’t give up, it’s a lot of effort at the start, but once you get into it, it gets easier and more fun. 

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on Cal Poly?

I got contacted by their coach and I talked to him, and I really enjoyed what he believed in, and he seemed like a really good fit for me. Cal Poly was also one of my own colleges. 

Do you want to continue running after college?

Yes, hopefully I can go pro. 

What is your favorite memory from cross country or track from Granada?

Team dinners before big races.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank?

The Matterns, my family, and Hudson Sauder. 

Jack Hendrick, committed to University of California, Santa Barbara (swimming)

How long have you been swimming and how did you get into it?

I started swimming when I was, like, I don’t know, four or five because my dad did it. Then, I just stuck with it

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

Probably my dad, because he also swam.

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

Don’t be like my friends, be smart.

What would you tell kids who are just starting out swimming or who want to swim in college?

Just have fun.

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on UC Santa Barbara?

It was an interesting process. They were the first school to contact me and, initially, me and my family thought, ‘No way you’re ever getting in there,’ but somehow I managed to pull through. 

Do you want to continue swimming after college?

I would just keep swimming in college, just for the next four years. I have to go to a junior national meet which is one step below pro swimming. 

What is your favorite memory of swimming from Granada?

State or NCS last year, it was the first time I’d been.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

My parents, family, coach, and friends. 

Jason Krakoski, committed to California State University, Fullerton (baseball)

How long have you been playing baseball and how did you get into it?

I’ve been playing since I was around four years old or five years old. I got into it because my dad wanted me to try something new. 

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

In life, probably my dad, he’s taught me everything I know and has been a great role model. In sports, probably my dad as well. 

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

Work hard and, like, don’t miss out on the little things, those are the ones that matter. 

What would you tell kids who are just starting out playing baseball or who want to play in college?

Do what you want to do, and chase your dream, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on Fullerton?

It was a pretty easy decision for Fullerton because of the legacy they have. 

Do you want to continue playing baseball after college?

I do, I do, that’s my dream. 

What is your favorite baseball memory from Granada?

Beating De La Salle, sophomore year, with a walk-off.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

I want to thank my friends and family and coaches.

Joshua Morano, committed to University of Arizona (baseball)

How long have you been playing baseball and how did you get into it?

My family got me into it, I’ve been playing for ten years. 

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

My brother. 

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

I would say to practice harder. 

What would you tell kids who are just starting out playing baseball or who want to play in college?

Just play for, like,  the love of the game, and always try as hard as you can.

Do you want to continue playing baseball after college?

Yeah. 

What is your favorite baseball memory from Granada?

Beating De La Salle in a walk-off.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

My parents, family, and friends. 

Colin Johnston, committed to Regis University (baseball)

How long have you been playing baseball and how did you get into it?

I’ve been playing since I was four, so 13 years.

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

My parents, they motivate me to be better in life, in sports, and to be a better person. 

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

I’d probably tell myself to get into the weight room. 

What would you tell kids who are just starting out playing baseball or who want to play in college?

It’s a process, just trust the process, work hard, and it will take care of itself. 

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on Regis University?

They reached out to me first and said they saw me in an event. It just went from there, I emailed back and went for a visit.

Do you want to continue playing baseball after college?

Absolutely.

What is your favorite baseball memory from Granada?

I hit a walk-off against Amador, that was pretty cool.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

I just want to thank my family and friends for always supporting me through this process. 

Lauren Deplitch, committed to California State University, San Marcos (softball)

How long have you been playing softball and how did you get into it?

When I was younger, I dabbled around in a lot of sports, I tried everything, and I just tried softball and I liked it. It became one of my main sports from the start.

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

My grandpa. He went and fight in Vietnam at 16, and he’s had a very difficult life. He’s battled drug addiction and all that, but he’s become such an amazing person through all his challenges. It’s shaped him into the amazon individual he was now, and I look up to him with everything I have. 

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on CSU San Marcos?

It was really long. It’s emails every day, tournament updates, sending out film, posting film to Twitter and Instagram. This school wasn’t even on my radar at first, but it’s right next to the beach and the coaches made me feel that I was wanted and that I would really be a big part of that program. I really feel like I’m going to make an impact here. 

Do you want to continue playing after college?

I don’t think so. I want to go get a masters somewhere. I plan to major in business and marketing. I don’t know what I want to do yet, but hopefully I’ll figure it out in the next four years.

What is your favorite softball memory from Granada?

Just the friendships I’ve made with people in the past years and the younger kids. It’s brought me and my sister closer, too. 

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

I want to thank myself, my coaches, my parents for pushing me to be the best I can be, my teachers, that’s about it.

Samantha Callahan, committed to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (volleyball)

How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you get into it?

It’s been five years. I started after my sister started. 

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

My sister, because she really paved the way for, like, going to college, I’ve always looked up to her. 

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

I’d say, try and, like, be involved in more clubs and other things besides athletics. 

What would you tell kids who are just starting out playing volleyball or who want to play in college?

I’d say to keep going and find your passion, whether it be volleyball or not, just go for it.

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on Cal Poly?

I really loved the supportive atmosphere of both the team and the coaches. It really felt like home when I got there.

Do you want to continue playing volleyball after college?

I’d say, not right now, but I’m open to the opportunity. 

What is your favorite volleyball memory from Granada?

My favorite memory was definitely beating O’Dowd in NCS, that was fun.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

  All my family, friends, Claire Dabney, Val, Sarah. And Jeanette. 

Andrew McKeever, committed to Saint Mary’s College of California (basketball)

How long have you been playing basketball  and how did you get into it?

I’ve been playing since I was, like, ten. I don’t know how I got into it, I’ve just always been tall. 

Who’s your inspiration in life as well as in sports?

My parents and my coaches, they got me to where I am.

If you could go back, what would you tell your freshman self?

Focus on basketball, not baseball.

What would you tell kids who are just starting out playing basketball or who want to play in college?

Just work hard, everything will come to you if you work hard.

What was the recruitment process like? Why did you decide on St. Mary’s?

It was the best option for me. I liked the coaches, I liked the school, it worked out. 

Do you want to continue playing basketball after college?

Yeah, but we’ll see what happens. 

What is your favorite basketball memory from Granada?

Probably just playing with the team, being in the locker room, and being on the court with them.

Do you have anyone you would like to thank? 

My coaches, my parents, everyone who helped me.