Oswego East Student Athlete of the Week-Sydney Granholm

Last season, the SPC conference decided to do away with the traditional freshman, sophomore, and varsity teams for girls' volleyball. Instead, teams are organized by freshman, JV, and varsity. The change has helped create a culture change in the OE program and affords juniors who may not have seen a lot of reps on the varsity an opportunity to improve their game. Junior Sydney Granholm is a junior captain of the JV team and is a shining example of how this move can help athletes, which is why she is this week's Oswego East student-athlete of the week.

Sydney is a two-sport student-athlete who has definitely come into her own during her junior season. "From her freshman year to now, Sydney has definitely broken out of her shell," says head coach Adam Thurlwell. He goes on to add, "Athletically, she's made strides and mentally she has used her knowledge and experience of the game to read better, thus helping her perform better."

Sydney's parents, Jim and Maggie Granholm, understand how important the role of sports have played in Sydney's maturation process. "[Sydney] really enjoys making new friends as well as strengthening the friendships she has had for years," says Jim and Maggie. They go on to add, "She has developed more confidence and has acquired great leadership capabilities, both on and off the court."

The ability to lead may not have been possible if the switch from sophomore team to a JV format had never happened. "Often times we have girls we feel could really benefit from getting more reps," says Thurlwell. He goes on to add, "In the past, that girl would struggle to play on varsity typically. Now, we have something that helps the athlete and the program."

The opportunity to play more was something that has helped Sydney tremendously as the outside hitter for a JV team that has only one conference loss and is tied for first place. Sydney's personality plays a pivotal role in being able to help her younger teammates as well. "I think Sydney's teammates feed off of her mood," says Thurlwell. He goes on to add, "Whether Sydney has a great play or a play she'd like to have back, she's always smiling."

There is no doubt the new JV format has helped institute a change in the girls’ volleyball program, and that resonates with how the athletes from different grade levels interact with one another. "Before it was freshmen on one team, sophomores, juniors/seniors," says Thurlwell. He goes on to add, "With JV having freshman-juniors, they close the gap of not knowing one another and that separation that took place. Their friends are on other teams and vice versa, so I feel we have better program investment in other levels."

Sydney's personality is obvious regardless of whether she is on the court, in the classroom, or working her part-time job at Kid's Connection. "I really like working with kids because of their different personalities, and you can tell when you make an impact with them," says Sydney. "Sydney is a compassionate, kind-hearted person who is always concerned about the feelings of others," says Jim and Maggie.

The experience of working with small children as a teenager is setting Sydney up well to achieve her future goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. She is hopeful she can attend school somewhere warm, preferably down south where she has family.

School has always been something Sydney has excelled at, and she is making the most of her opportunities at Oswego East by enrolling in as many rigorous courses as possible. Honors Pre-Calc, Honors Anatomy and Physiology, Honors Earth and Space Science, Advanced Placement U.S. History, and Medical Topics make for a full load for a two-sport student-athlete with a part-time job, but Sydney is more than up to the task.

Sydney is a great student who is dedicated to doing well in whatever she is taking part," says Brandy Gossett, Sydney's Honors Pre-Calc teacher. She goes on to add, "She works hard in order to be successful, is a respectful and responsible person and student, and works very well with others, helping them out and accepting help when she doesn't understand something. I can definitely see her succeeding as a pediatric nurse, as she has a great personality to work well with others."

The work Sydney has put in to become an athlete, great teammate, well-rounded student, and individual does not go unnoticed by those around her. "[Sydney] is our youngest of three and has always been dragged along to every sporting event, competition, recital, etc. for her older sister and brother," says Jim and Maggie. They go on to add, "It truly makes our hearts burst to Sydney shine all on her own!"

While there is no doubt Sydney has a bright future on her own, she, and her teammates, are hopeful this new format will pay dividends for years to come. As a senior next season, Sydney will be counted on to bridge the gap between those younger and older players, a responsibility she will no doubt rise to meet. As someone who is taking advantage of all OE has to offer, she offers this advice to future Wolves, saying, "Make the best out of your four years because it goes by fast." Hopefully, Sydney and her teammate will make the best of this new JV format and carry their momentum into next season and beyond.