2017 - 2018 ARIZONA
GIRLS TRACK & FIELD
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JAI
GRUENWALD
HURDLES/JUMPS
CHANDLER HS
CHANDLER, ARIZONA
SENIOR
HEIGHT: 5-FOOT-8
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HIGHLIGHTED STATS
20-6.75
LONG JUMP
42.62 SECONDS
HURDLES
14.10
100 METER HURDLES
“At every meet we competed against Jai, she would constantly challenge our girls to perform at their best. Jai stays focused and doesn’t allow any distractions while she is competing.”
Cassandra Cline
Head Coach of Desert Vista High

Athletic Excellence


The 5-foot-8 senior led the Wolves to the state title at the Division I state meet this past season. Gruenwald swept the 100-meter hurdles, the 300-meter hurdles, the long jump and the triple jump at the Division I state meet, setting a state record with her leap of 20 feet, 6.75 inches in the long jump. Her top wind-legal distance of 20-2 this season ranked No. 3 in the nation among prep competitors at the time of her selection. She also ranked nationally in the 300 hurdles (42.62 seconds, No. 39) and the 100 hurdles (14.10 seconds, No. 64) in 2018 and concluded her prep career with nine state titles.

Academic Achievement


Gruenwald has maintained a weighted 4.32 GPA in the classroom. She has signed a national letter of intent to compete on an athletic scholarship at UCLA this fall.

Exemplary Character


Gruenwald helped organize a Teddy Bear drive to benefit children at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and the Chandler CARE Center. She has also volunteered locally as part of multiple community service initiatives through her church and in association with the HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Campaign.