Athletic Grubb excels on gridiron, soccer field
By LAUREN CONTI
Sports Writer
When the Whirlwinds of Welsh Family Hall hit the stadium turf on Sunday to face off against the Howard Ducks they will be boasting not only the veteran members of last year's championship squad, but also the star addition of former Irish soccer player Jen Grubb.
A fifth-year senior, Grubb played central defender for the Fighting Irish varsity soccer squad from 1996 to '99. Although she exausted her soccer eligibility, she still had one semester left to earn he degree. She had taken the second semester of her junior year off to train with the Women's World Cup team.
Then, this fall, she returned to Notre Dame for an extra semester to graduate.
"I just wanted to complete my degree," said Grubb. "The training was a great opportunity, but I wanted to finish what I'd started."
Grubb turned to women's interhall football to fill the athletic void left by soccer.
"I think everyone was excited to have her," said Alison Tullis, co-captain of the Whirlwinds. "She's obviously been a great addition to the team."
"I'm just happy to be out here being competitive, doing something athletic," said Grubb.
The decision to play football wasn't just a random choice, however. While attending J.B. Conant High School in suburban Chicago, Grubb played place-kicker for her high school men's football team, a unique role that granted her invaluable experience in the sport and helped prepare her for the interhall experience.
"I had always watched football growing up, and of course I was familiar with it because of being kicker," said Grubb. "Between soccer and that experience, I'm used to the way a practice is run."
The addition of Grubb to the already-strong Welsh squad has heavy implications for rival teams, as illustrated by the Whirlwinds' undefeated record so far this season.
Welsh co-captain Maria Feilmeyer said, "I think having Jen just added to the talent we already have on the team. She's a really great team player, she doesn't try to draw attention to herself despite her unique situation, and she just works as hard as anyone else does."
"I would say she brings a lot of intensity to the team," said Tullis. "And obviously a lot of athleticism."
Grubb couldn't have asked for a more successful season. The running back has been a part of an undefeated team that is now heavily favored to win the championship game, a game about which she maintains her positive attitude.
"I think we're all excited," she said. "Anytime you're in a championship game its going to get your adrenaline going. You're ready to play; it's what you've been working for all season long. I feel like all the effort for the past couple of months is going to pay off."
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 10, 2000
