Come next week, Malibu High senior and surf team member Danica Downing can finally relax and enjoy a well-earned spring break vacation in Hawaii.
But before then, Downing will wrap up competition Saturday in the Scholastic Surf Series (SSS) High School State Championships in Oceanside. The weekend contest will bring a bittersweet end to her high school athletic and extracurricular experience.
For the past four years, Downing has competed in surfing and three CIF-sanctioned sports at Malibu High School. Her dedication to volleyball, soccer, swimming and surfing has been a testament to Downing’s unwavering devotion to the Malibu community.
“I joined all the sports that I could have joined,” she said shortly after competing in a surf event at Zuma Beach. “I took the classes I wanted to take. I took what I could to manage my time while doing sports. It’s been a lot of fun.”
Downing has been surfing since age 6. She quickly evolved into a strong surfer in women’s shortboard and women’s longboard for the Malibu surf team, the team headed to the SSS State Championship this weekend.
While surfing consumes a fair portion of her time on the weekends, Downing has been a part of the MHS soccer and volleyball programs for the past four years. She also swam during her freshman and sophomore years.
The tri-sport athlete wouldn’t have it any other way. Playing multiple sports and excelling in the classroom with a cumulative 3.65 grade point average has taught her discipline, time management, commitment and loyalty.
“It has really taught me how to be committed to something,” Downing said. “My friends would be going to the beach and it taught me to stick to things that you commit to. And it’s not just about you, but about the team.”
A shining example of a scholar-athlete, Downing achieved a 4.0 GPA during the first semester of her senior year while simultaneously earning second-team, all-league honors as a libero for the volleyball team.
Her success continued on the soccer pitch where she was recently recognized as a first-team, all-league recipient for the second consecutive year as a midfielder for the Sharks.
The balancing of academics and athletics came naturally, she said.
“When you are in sports, you are so busy. But I feel like I have never had a problem with having to do an assignment and having a game the same day,” she said. “I get my work done on time and play my hardest for the team.”
Her college future is uncertain at this time, but the upcoming trip to Hawaii could prove beneficial as she decides whether or not to attend the University of Hawaii in the fall. Leaving Malibu wouldn’t be easy, though.
“You kind of take Malibu for granted because when you leave you are going to miss this place,” Downing said.
When asked what she would miss the most if she did move away for college, Downing didn’t hesitate for one second.
“Definitely the beach,” said Downing. “I’m going to miss the lifestyle, the people. We have a small school, so I know everyone.”
Described by her closest friends as “friendly and down-to-earth,” Downing hopes to study and earn a degree in early childhood education and one day become a preschool or kindergarten teacher.
“I have a bunch of cousin babies,” she said. “I love kids.”
But for now, vacationing in Hawaii rules the roost as she says “Aloha” to high school sports for the final time.
Ho’omaika’i ‘ana, Danica. Mahalo nui loa.
Or, “Congratulations Danica. Thank you very much.”