Marmaton Valley multi-sport athlete Janae Granere didn’t have any down time this summer between the basketball court and the track.
Granere, a senior, competed on a USA basketball team in Barcelona, Spain. The 10-day trip included four days of games.
“I feel super lucky because this is something some kids never get to do and it’s super cool I got to go do something I love overseas,” said Granere. “I was nervous because I didn’t know what to expect but we only lost one game, so that was amazing.”
Granere then took her track talents to the AAU Junior Olympics national meet in Las Vegas.
A three-sport athlete, Granere has impressed most on the track, where she went to the state meet in multiple events. She also plays on the MVHS volleyball team.
For the trip to Spain, Granere’s team consisted of one other player from southeast Kansas and the rest hailed from Wichita.
Competition included multiple Spanish teams, a Swiss team, as well as other USA teams. Granere’s team played a total of eight games.
“All the teams from Spain thought we were the nicest Americans they had ever met,” said Granere. “At the end of the tournament we got to trade jerseys so now we have jerseys from Spain. We got pictures, too.”
Coaches from McPherson College and Cowley Community College coached the girls.
Granere said the Spanish players were more aggressive and brought a physical style not always seen in the United States. Granere was the team’s main rebounder and began to knock down more three-pointers near the end of the trip.
“I think these games taught me to always be active, even when you’re not guarding someone,” she said. “I improved on defense the most. Our team played really well together. The parents said it seemed like we had been playing together for years. We all had our own things we were good at and it helped form the team.”
On the track
Shortly after returning from Spain, Granere qualified for the national track meet in Las Vegas at a regional meet. Granere competed in summer track through the Girard Warriors track club, an AAU Junior Olympics training team.
Granere competed in the triple jump at the national meet where she placed 10th with a jump of 37 feet, 4 inches.
At the state track meet this spring, her triple jump was 37 feet, 5.5 inches.
“My approach is something my coaches have really worked on with me,” said Granere. “I used to never get up to full speed on the runway. Once I started going full speed it was a lot easier because your momentum carries you most through your jumps.”
Heading into her senior year, Granere hopes to leave every last ounce of effort she has, no matter the sport.
