Ramona High 2012 Female Scholar Athlete: Caitlin Choy

By BILL TAMBURRINO

Athletes who compete for the Ramona High School interscholastic sports teams are often referred to as student/athletes. To compete in athletics at Ramona High School, students must have at least a 2.0 grade point average, pass at least four classes and have exemplary conduct and citizenship. This year, RHS senior Caitlin Choy has been recognized as Ramona High School’s 2012 Female Scholar Athlete.

Caitlin Choy, who achieved a 4.56 grade point average in college preparatory, honors and advanced placement courses and earned nine varsity letters in three sports, has been named the 2012 Ramona High School Female Scholar Athlete of the Year.

Choy lettered in varsity track during her four years at RHS. Her event coaches were Damon Baldwin, Bill Clark and the late Ryan Morgan. She earned three varsity letters in cross country while running for Steve Albanese and Kim Toth. Coach Tom Charbonneau awarded Caitlin two varsity letters in soccer. She is one of a very select few athletes who competed in team and individual sports.

The scholar athlete has been All League and All CIF in track four times. She has been awarded the Most Valuable Sprinter in track, and the Most Improved in cross country twice.

Choy started playing sports at age 2 when she took up gymnastics. She gives her parents, Susanne Sapier and Craig Choy credit for supporting her in all of her athletic endeavors.

“My parents have supported me in every sport in which I have participated. They have attended every event in which I have participated,” she said.

The best aspect about playing sports at RHS, Choy said, was that it was “an excellent outlet for stress.”

“Playing sports has always been a rewarding experience and a great way to make friends,” she added.

The most important lesson that Choy has learned from playing sports is, “how to push myself to the absolute finish.” That lesson came in handy when Choy was excelling in one of the most demanding events in track—the 400 meter run.

Choy advises her 16-year-old brother and any incoming freshman: “Pick a sport that is best for you and stick with it. Some of your best memories in high school will come playing sports.”

She will continue her education at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the fall and will major in biology. She plans to go on to medical school and become a neonatologist, specializing in the care and development of newborn babies and the treatment of their diseases. Choy plans on becoming a surgeon.

The RHS student/athlete said she will use intramural and club sports at UCLA to help her cope with the stress of academics and to meet friends. She plans on competing in track, soccer and cross country.

She also sees coaching in her future and said: “I want to be a track coach like Ryan (Morgan).”