Male Athlete of the Year: Allen's strive for success
By John Swartz/Times-Herald sports writer
Posted: 07/11/2009 01:00:18 AM PDT
Terry Allen didn't stick around to see who would be named the 2008-09 Times-Herald Male Athlete of the Year. No, he was just fine with finding he'd won it over the phone.
The former Hogan High wrestler was already working on the next thing. Just weeks after his high school graduation, Allen is a student at Cal. Taking classes in a summer bridge program, this year's top male athlete is officially a full-time student. While there isn't a varsity sport on his daily agenda anymore, Allen is determined to keep athletics as a part of his life.
"The gym opened for us on Wednesday, and I'm going there tonight right after I study," said Allen, who was taking a break from a chemistry session on Thursday night. "I need athletics in my life, and just working out reminds me of my experiences and how much I love it. I can't stop now. I can't stop going."
Already with a long list of accomplishments, Allen adds the last feather in his prep cap with delight.
"Getting the Athlete of the Year, it's still a little shocking," he said of the award. "I'm proud to represent the city of Vallejo. It sort of feels like I'm giving back, and I plan to give back more later."
After closing out his prep career with a victory in the third-place match at the CIF state wrestling tournament, Allen said he will always have fond memories when looking back on his four years at Hogan.
"All my accomplishments have been great," said Allen, who also finished second at the Sac-Joaquin Section
Masters tournament. "I believe the Athlete of the Year is up there. It's on the same level as being at state. I value all my accomplishments, and I can't say one was harder than the other."
Wrestling will still be a part of Allen's routine at Cal, as he plans to join the club program. He does, however, have high expectations for his time.
"I know I'm going to wrestle for the club, but I'd like to see a varsity-level program there," Allen said.
If there's anyone who can make that dream come true, the Hogan graduate who carried with him a 4.25 GPA seems like a good candidate.
But for now, chemistry and math are his biggest hurdles this summer.
"I can already tell that high school is different than college," Allen said. "The chemistry we're going over tonight, it's so different than (what I learned) in high school. I'm glad to be in this program. Going into the fall, we'll be ahead of the game. We'll know the campus and we'll have lived in the dorms already."
Contact John Swartz at [email protected] or (707) 553-6822.
Posted: 07/11/2009 01:00:18 AM PDT
Terry Allen didn't stick around to see who would be named the 2008-09 Times-Herald Male Athlete of the Year. No, he was just fine with finding he'd won it over the phone.
The former Hogan High wrestler was already working on the next thing. Just weeks after his high school graduation, Allen is a student at Cal. Taking classes in a summer bridge program, this year's top male athlete is officially a full-time student. While there isn't a varsity sport on his daily agenda anymore, Allen is determined to keep athletics as a part of his life.
"The gym opened for us on Wednesday, and I'm going there tonight right after I study," said Allen, who was taking a break from a chemistry session on Thursday night. "I need athletics in my life, and just working out reminds me of my experiences and how much I love it. I can't stop now. I can't stop going."
Already with a long list of accomplishments, Allen adds the last feather in his prep cap with delight.
"Getting the Athlete of the Year, it's still a little shocking," he said of the award. "I'm proud to represent the city of Vallejo. It sort of feels like I'm giving back, and I plan to give back more later."
After closing out his prep career with a victory in the third-place match at the CIF state wrestling tournament, Allen said he will always have fond memories when looking back on his four years at Hogan.
"All my accomplishments have been great," said Allen, who also finished second at the Sac-Joaquin Section
Masters tournament. "I believe the Athlete of the Year is up there. It's on the same level as being at state. I value all my accomplishments, and I can't say one was harder than the other."
Wrestling will still be a part of Allen's routine at Cal, as he plans to join the club program. He does, however, have high expectations for his time.
"I know I'm going to wrestle for the club, but I'd like to see a varsity-level program there," Allen said.
If there's anyone who can make that dream come true, the Hogan graduate who carried with him a 4.25 GPA seems like a good candidate.
But for now, chemistry and math are his biggest hurdles this summer.
"I can already tell that high school is different than college," Allen said. "The chemistry we're going over tonight, it's so different than (what I learned) in high school. I'm glad to be in this program. Going into the fall, we'll be ahead of the game. We'll know the campus and we'll have lived in the dorms already."
Contact John Swartz at [email protected] or (707) 553-6822.
