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The Albertsons Big Deal of the Week is a new addition to IdahoSports.com in which student-athletes who excel in the classroom and competitively are selected on a weekly basis to be featured on the site. Each recipient of this weekly honor receives a $100 Albertsons gift card and is featured as a top story on IdahoSports.com.
This week our selection is Hattie Hruza of Vallivue High School. A four year starter for softball, volleyball and basketball, Hruza will continue her softball career following this season at the College of Idaho. She also maintains a 3.7 GPA in the classroom and fully personifies a student-athlete.
Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I’m 18 years old and I’ve grown up with the most amazing family, with sports always having been a huge part of my life. My mom Val Hruza is the best mom you’ll ever have and my dad Steve Hruza is the best dad/coach ever. I’m a varsity starter all four years of high school for softball, basketball and volleyball. I grew up with three brothers, so my life was surrounded by sports. My brothers were my coaches all growing up and still continue to be. My parents have been my biggest supporters through all of it, from traveling every weekend all summer to get me the exposure I need, to sitting at every game in the freezing cold.
Do you have a nickname? If so, how did you get it?
Hattie Bear. Growing up my three brothers called me Hattie Bear constantly.
What is your favorite sport to watch? Participate in?
My favorite sport to participate in would definitely be softball. I’ve been in love with it since I was a little girl. Besides softball, baseball and football are what I love to watch.
As a student-athlete, which is harder - being a student, or being an athlete? Why?
I think being a student is more difficult than softball for me because softball is something that comes natural, school is something I’ve worked hard on my whole life.
Overall GPA:
3.7
What is the best thing you have learned from playing sports in high school?
High School sports taught me time management. From practice every day after school, to coming home to three hours of homework and getting up early in the morning to go to the gym. It’s all about priorities and sometimes other things came before sports and that’s okay. But learning to manage priorities was one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned and I’ll forever be grateful for that.
Favorite high school memory, so far?
My friends and teammates have made high school such a fun experience for me. A lot of people think of high school as a horrible thing, but for a student-athlete it’s one of the best things that’ll happen and you’ll forever look back at that and be thankful for it. My favorite memory is being able to play with some of my best friends that I’ve played with since I was six years old on the Nitros and I get to play with them through high school. Some things never change and they’ve become such a built in family for me.
Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
I’ve had so many amazing teachers in my life but Teresa Tyler has been my favorite. She’s the athletic trainer for us and she’s been my sports medicine teacher for the last three years. She’s been so supportive of me and she’s taught me so much about sports medicine and life. We even get our nails done together every once in a while.
What kind of car gets you around town?
I drive a red 2018 Chevy Sonic.
Cat person or dog person?
I am definitely a dog person. I have four dogs at home that are my babies.
Favorite food?
My favorite food is definitely pasta. I could eat it for every meal for the rest of my life.
You have an entire weekend with no plans. What do you do?
I’ve never had one of those. If I got the chance, I would probably hang out with some friends, go hit in the cages and hang out with my nieces and nephews or my cousin Christie Lynn.
If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?
My grandma. She passed away when I was just a baby and I would’ve loved to get the chance to know her. I heard she was the best.
What is something most people do not know about you?
I love to paint. It’s something to get me away from the craziness of life and it relieves a lot of stress.
What celebrity would play you if they made a movie about your life?
Adam Sandler. He’s super goofy and anyone that knows me knows I’m goofy 24/7.
What was the last song you listened to?
Butterflies by Kacey Musgraves.
What are your plans after high school (college, work, etc.)?
I’m committed to continue my education and softball career at The College of Idaho. I will study in the medical field to become a nurse practitioner.
When you "grow up" what is your idea of the perfect job?
Work in a hospital or have my own private practice. Until then I’ll work in nursing homes and assisted living.
What is the best advice you have ever received and from who?
“Game on, full throttle, go for the win”. My Uncle Cody lived by this quote his entire life until he passed away in 2007.
Any shoutouts:
I’d like to thank God for everything he’s given me. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. My talent doesn’t come from me it’s all from him. I’d like to shoutout my family for being my support system through everything. All of my friends and teammates who have encouraged me to be my best all the time. All of my coaches who have shaped me to be the player I am, including my dad, Mike Henderson, Dave Dwyer, Tom Atkins, Todd Zucker and Coach C. My amazing grandparents who have sat in hundreds of games rain or shine. My brothers Kalen, Yadon and Chene have been my biggest inspiration and so much fun to grow up with and my beautiful sisters Jessica and Natosha, I love you all so much!
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