Temecula Valley HS track star shines for colleges
Malia Craven’s basketball play has been eyed heavily by Hawaii. Schools interested in her track abilities include the University of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Temecula Valley High School junior Malia Cravens, who plays basketball and competes in track and field, has garnered the attention of several universities, including USC, UCLA and the University of Hawaii. (Photo courtesy of the Cravens family)
The adage that things happen in three’s may not be a hallmark of truth, but there certainly is no argument coming from one Temecula family, at least when it comes to sports and the family’s three siblings.
Malia Cravens, 17, is a junior at Temecula Valley High School and has a chance to receive a higher education by virtue of a mix of academics and athleticism. Her older brother, Siaki Cravens, has committed to the University of Hawaii, where he’ll play football. Her younger brother, Su’a Cravens, may already be on a similar path.
“We’ve been blessed to have a lot of positive influences and people pushing them in the right direction,” said Malia’s father Kevin Cravens. The Cravens are a family of athletes, and in the coming years, Su’a may be the third of Kevin’s children to attract recruiters.
But before three, there must always come two. Enter Malia.
As forward on the TVHS basketball team, she led the Southwestern League with 10 rebounds per game this year. The team’s playoff loss Feb. 18 to Dana Hills High School ended her season, but Malia is far from having a break.
Now, she begins practice in a second sport – track and field. Being a two-sport athlete may not be easy, but for Malia, it’s hardly a chore.
“It’s just staying positive and doing what you like to do,” Malia said. “It’s going to school for something that you like to do and just having fun.”
Malia’s basketball play has been eyed heavily by Hawaii. Schools interested in her track abilities include the University of Southern California and University of California at Los Angeles.
A Hawaii recruiter was present at Malia’s last game. She’s learned to take the attention is stride.
“It didn’t really bother me to see them there,” Malia said. “The first time, I was kind of nervous around college coaches like that. I just told myself before the game that I can’t do that because I don’t want to mess anything up – just play the game I usually do and pretend they’re not there.”
Performing under pressure is nothing new to Malia. Last year, she set a record on the high jump at the Inland Empire Meet of Champions with a 5-foot-3-inch surge. Earlier this month she eclipsed that mark by three inches at the 2010 California Invitational in Fresno.
Her ascent has been steered by many trainers. Most recently, she credits Prodigy Athletes’ Troy Lau with exposing her potential. By incorporating the VertiMax machine, a resistance-training platform designed to build explosive strength, Lau has brought Malia’s ability to another level.
“He’s helped me a lot,” Malia said. “Through all the hard work, he’s always there to push to your max.”
Her biggest influences, she said, have been her parents, who have never pushed her to do anything she didn’t want, but have always told her to finish what she’s started.
“Anytime I’m down on myself, they’re there to just get me back up and tell me what I need to do to be successful at the sport,” Malia said.
Finding the right fit for Malia is something her father takes very seriously, but ultimately, he empowers her to make the right choice in a college.
“You’ve got to figure out who the used car salesman is and who really wants the best for your kid,” Kevin said. “Whatever makes her happy – whatever she wants to do – I’ll back her 100 percent.”
Within the next year, Malia will choose between basketball and track. Where she goes to school will rest on that tough decision process. Once again, she is determined to embrace difficulty rather than fear it.
“I’m kind of nervous about it,” Malia said. “But whatever I choose to do, I’m gonna be happy.”
James Palen is a regular contributor to SWRNN.com.
Tags: 2010 California Invitational, Fresno, Inland Empire Meet of Champions, James Palen, Kevin Cravens, Malia Cravens, Siaki Cravens, SWRNN, Temecula, temecula valley high school, University of California at Los Angeles, university of hawaii, University of Southern California
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