Triple-threat abilities music to dad's ears

Dreams die hard, don't they?

But this dream has a happy, albeit, different ending. When San Diego State-bound Allison Smith graduated from Burlingame High last week, it capped a remarkable four-year career that saw the three-sport star excel perhaps like no other female athlete in the school's illustrious history.

As a varsity tennis, basketball and softball player since her freshman year, Smith participated in the Central Coast Section playoffs in each sport in every season. That's 12 postseasons mind you, a record that can only be tied but never broken.

Smith started her senior year the way she started every school year - on the tennis court. She was the team's No. 1 singles player starting in her sophomore campaign for a program that is a perennial entrant in the section playoffs.

She teamed with childhood friend Kristen Carranza and placed third in the Peninsula Athletic League doubles tournament this past season a year after finishing as the runner-up. Smith then had a breakout year on the hardwood, averaging a team-high 16 points per game.

She followed that up with another solid effort playing shortstop for the Panthers' softball team, which advanced to the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals. For her efforts, Smith is the Daily Journal's 2003-04 Female Athlete of the Year.

Winning elusive CCS title big moment

For someone who focuses on the journey rather than single defining points, Smith said one moment sticks out. She made a number of key contributions in the Burlingame softball team's 2003 CCS Division II title game win, the school's first-ever section championship.

"That's one of those days I will always remember," Smith said. "Everything that happened in that game and even in the games before that were pretty amazing."

As was her transformation from defensive stalwart to prolific scorer on the basketball court. Always known as a player who could lock down the opposing team's best offensive threat, Smith emerged as one of the more complete players on the Peninsula. In addition to her strong rebounding and lockdown defense, Smith scored 20 points or more 10 times in her senior year.

"Our coach told me I had to look to score this year," Smith said. "I wasn't really looking to score the last couple of years and it wasn't a part of my game. I enjoyed playing defense more than anything."

While Smith excelled in tennis and hoops, it was on the softball field where she was at her best. She threw bullets to first base with her rocket for an arm, covered more ground than a cheetah and possessed such swift bat speed and tremendous hand-eye coordination that 60 mph fastballs looked like volleyballs to her.

Smith, who earned a softball scholarship to San Diego State, won't be alone down South. Carranza, who has known Smith since they were 10-years-old, will also be playing for the Aztecs.

"It's nice to know there's going to be someone over there that understands where you're coming from and what you're going through," said Smith, who will major in education and minor in psychology.

Soccer wasn't her strongest suit

Smith started playing sports at age 5. In addition to tennis, basketball and softball, she took an interest in soccer. It didn't take long for her or dad Bill to figure out that soccer wasn't in her future.

"She was just horrible in her first year playing," Bill Smith said. "But she is so competitive that she improved and you're thinking, 'hey, she can play this game.' But it doesn't help when you have officials penalizing her for illegal throw-ins when she's doing it right and for fouls when she's just playing aggressive."

While Allison Smith once said she couldn't have imagined a life without sports, it's apparent now she's revised that statement.

"Life without sports would still be great," she said. "It would be a lot different, of course, but sports isn't necessarily my life."

At the same time, there's nothing else she would rather do.

"I grew up around sports so naturally, it was the thing to do," she said. "I've always been competitive and sports gives you a chance to make goals and accomplish them. Plus, I played a lot of sports because I didn't want to be cooped up inside."

While winning is great, it's the friendships Smith has built over the years that she cherishes the most. Smith hopes to make plenty of new friends at San Diego State, where she will be fighting for a spot in the starting lineup. Her goal is to coach sports in high school and teach math. Along the way, mom and dad will be there to support her, just like they've done so many times in the past.

"My dream was for her to become a piano player," Bill Smith said. "But believe me, I'm not exactly crushed that she didn't follow that path. I just wanted my pretty little girl to do well."

Father got his wish - and along the way, one helluva an athlete.