Bookend for Gurrola’s Career

Esther Gurrola has been a competitive athlete for most of her 18 years.

Sports kept her busy year-round in high school, especially during the summer when she was participating in softball games, basketball leagues and volleyball practices.

But this summer, the recent Fillmore High graduate is easing into a completely different routine. There are no more games, practices or good times with teammates.

“I’ve always had a team that I was on,” she said. “The friendships you make on teams, I know that’s what I’m going to miss most in college.”

Gurrola’s success as a three-sport athlete has helped fund her college education.

Gurrola, who was selected CIF state female scholar-athlete of the year in March, has given up athletics and will enroll in the engineering program at Pepperdine.

Gurrola, who has garnered more than a dozen scholarships, narrowed her college choices to Pepperdine and Cal Lutheran. Despite her athletic background, she chose a school based on academics.

“The final decision wasn’t based on sports,” Gurrola said. “I don’t think I have great [athletic] talent or anything.”

Although never a star in volleyball, basketball or softball at Fillmore, Gurrola earned nine varsity letters and maintained straight A’s despite a busy schedule.

“Having a scheduled practice [routine] helps keep you on track,” she said. “I found ways to organize my time to do a lot of different things.”

Gurrola, one of three valedictorians this year at Fillmore, was heavily involved in community service--especially in her senior year. She was student body vice president and she coordinated blood drives, a teen abstinence rally and a Christmas food drive. She initiated an adopt-a-highway trash pickup plan.

Yet, it was through athletics that Gurrola learned the most about herself.

“One of the most significant activities that molds my life is athletics,” Gurrola wrote in her student essay, which helped her win a $5,000 CIF scholarship.

“Playing sports does more than just teach me skills or provide me with enjoyable recreation,” she wrote.

“Excellent athletics includes the spirit of sportsmanship. Just as practice develops my physical strength and skills, so the spirit of sportsmanship is an integral contributor to my moral principles and personal conduct.”

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Trivia Time: Five of the state’s seven all-time leading rushers are from this region. Can you name them?

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Michael Seidman of Westlake is the nation’s No. 1 tight end prospect, according to Superprep magazine.

Seidman, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound senior, is one of four players from the region listed among the magazine’s 270 preseason All-Americans.

Jacob Rogers of Oxnard, 6-6 and 235 pounds, is the eighth-ranked tight end prospect in the nation. Jerry Owens of Hart, 6-3 and 180 pounds, is the 15th wide receiver and Kevin Mack of Rio Mesa, 6-3 and 225 pounds, the 26th linebacker. All four have received a qualifying SAT score.

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Trivia Answer: Ranking third through seventh are George Keiaho of Buena, 6,615 yards (1990-93); Justin Fargas of Notre Dame, 6,293 yards (1995-97); Russell White of Crespi, 5,998 yards (1986-88); Eliel Swinton of Montclair Prep, 5,904 yards (1990-92) and Jermaine Lewis of Antelope Valley, 5,636 yards (1993-95).