Two sports, nursing studies a challenge Central High standout ready to tackle

By Phil Sandoval
Grand Junction, CO, Colorado
May 7, 2008

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    Most athletes are lucky to be proficient in one sport, much less two. Alaina Brennan’s proven herself as a standout in basketball and softball throughout her four-year varsity career at Central High School.

    Starting the next school term, Brennan hopes to have the same type of fortune as a college athlete.

    Recently Brennan signed a unique letter of intent to continue playing both sports at Mesa State College. Sports, however, was not the determining factor in Brennan’s opting for the local college.

    Rather, it was the career she wants to pursue.

    “I want to be a nurse. And they have a great RN program,” Brennan said of Mesa State. “Academics came first, then everything else just worked out well.”

    In the process the Mavericks women’s basketball team gains an experienced point guard in Brennan, who can also play wing. Brennan credits former Central High coach Matt Lindholm to learning the additional task.

    “I want to thank (LIndholm), because this summer I was a pain in the butt,” said Brennan. “I didn’t want to play any other position but point guard, and he got me to play a little wing. It’s made me a lot more versatile, and I think it will help me compete better for a starting spot at Mesa.”

     On the softball diamond, Brennan might be the answer for Mesa as a replacement for graduating center fielder Leslie Reed. “I’m excited to go out there in softball and compete for that spot,” she said.

    Brennan has the same outlook for basketball. “Brittany Fowler and Lindsey Kame are graduating. That’s a point guard and a wing. So I’m ready to compete for those spots as well.”

    Entering college, Brennan brings an impressive set of credentials with her.

    As a high school athlete, Brennan was named all-state five times. Three in basketball and twice in softball. Academically, Brennan is equally strong.

    Graduating from Central early, Brennan finished high school with a 3.60 grade point average, then got a jump on nursing career by taking classes at Mesa.

    Originally, Brennan thought playing two sports in college would be a stretch.

    “It was something that I possibly wanted to do. But I didn’t have my heart set on doing both,” she said.

    “I wasn’t quite sure what I’d do and the situation would allow me to both. But once it worked out and I had the opportunity to do both, I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t try it.”

    Brennan said both of her coaches at Mesa — Kris Mort and Timi Brown — are working together to make the two-sport plan work.

    While she’s excited about the opportunity, Brennan’s aware the transition from high school to college ball while becoming a nurse is not easy. “It will be tough,” she said.

    Brennan’s mom, Susan, is a nurse. Her older sister Brianne played softball at Mines while becoming an engineer.

    The support of her family will help prepare for the challenge Brennan’s ready to take.
“This is what I want to do,” she said. “It will be very hard (to play two sports), and it will be hard to keep the grades up.”

    Reach Phil Sandoval at psandoval@gjfreepress.com.