Welcome to The562.org’s inaugural Athletes of the Week.
HIGH SCHOOL
Brooke Gruneisen, Wilson Water Polo
Wilson junior Brooke Gruneisen has been helping to lead the Bruins all year, and she had a historic Saturday as the Bruins claimed their first-ever CIF-SS championship last weekend. Gruneisen had three goals in the championship, helping deliver a 6-5 win over Harvard-Westlake.
Camryn Krueger, Wilson Water Polo
Sophomore goalie Camryn Krueger had a dream performance in the championship. Krueger and the Bruins dedicated the season to her mother, who passed away last summer. With her mother’s initials stitched on the back of her jersey (along with the rest of her team), Krueger had 10 saves including two in the final minute to win the championship 6-5.
COLLEGE
Josh Tuaniga, Long Beach State Volleyball
A week after his high school and college teammate TJ DeFalco was named AVCA National Player of the Week for helping the No. 1-ranked 49ers to a win over No. 2 UCLA, Tuaniga proved he’s the best setter in the nation by helping lead LBSU to another win over the Bruins. This time the 49ers were on the road, and Tuaniga looked right at home with 57 assists and 13 digs. The 49ers hit .553 on balls set by Tuaniga.
Cielo Meza, Long Beach State Softball
The Long Beach State softball team got off to its best start in program history this year with a 12-1 start, thanks in large part to the heroics of sophomore Cielo Meza, who started the season 7-0. Last week in a 9-0 win over Northwestern she scattered four hits over six shutout innings, striking out six batters. She then led the 49ers to a 6-3 win over No. 12 Auburn with a complete game performance.
