The Tacoma News Tribune ran a story today about Christal Morrison and Stevie Mussie, both from Puyallup High School who are now teammates on the UW volleyball team. Both are making huge contributions for the Huskies, leading them to 17-1 record and a #5 national ranking.
This is just another example of the athletic tradition that comes from Puyallup. Whether its volleyball players leading their university toward another National Championship, football players competing in the Pac-10, or a 2-sport athlete starring at a smaller state university, Puyallup has demonstrated a long tradition of producing strong students and athletes.
One of the main reasons that former PHS students are so successful at the next level is the attitude they learn while at Puyallup. Winning is a way of life there. From the football team perennially playing into late November, the basketball team making state every season, or the volleyball team playing for state championships, winning is valued. Winning is something that is expected, it is not seen as surprise. That is not something that can be said about a lot of high schools in this state. Sure there are the private schools and open enrollment high schools, but they are designed for achieving success. Puyallup is a public high school that has closed enrollment, they win with is there.
Breeding a winning attitude young can influence an athlete forever. Look at former UW QB Isaiah Stanback. He played his high school ball at Garfield. There, losing was the way of life so when he got to UW and the loses piled up it was no big deal. For someone that is used to winning, losing is so unacceptable that it makes them sick. That winning attitude makes someone a better player then the person who has comparable talent, but lacks the desire to win.
You can see the results of that attitude all over the state in the form of Puyallup High School graduates.
