Though the years I've been constantly reminded of how special our student-athletes are. Their ability to compete on a high level under great pressure in front of crowds has always amazed me.

But how they manage their time, and strike a successful balance between their sport competition and the classroom has been even more amazing to me.

I had the opportunity this week to visit with one of the most special student-athletes I've known. That's high praise because I've had the good fortune of knowing many, many through my time here.

Her name is Clara Tapia. We list her at 5-7. She might argue with me on this, she may not even be that tall. But she casts a giant shadow as a starting point guard for the Cowgirls, and even more importantly as a student. She is the ultimate validation of a student-athlete.

A native of Barcelona, Spain, she is one of four Spaniards on the Cowgirl roster, along with Marta Gomez, Maria Torreblanca and Alba Sanchez Ramos.
  
Clara makes the Cowgirls go. Despite not playing as a freshman, she is now eighth on Wyoming's all-time assist list. Her career assist-to-turnover ratio is a sterling 1.85. She is currently eighth in the country in that category. She has started 78 games in her Cowgirl career, and will post number 79 tomorrow afternoon (2 p.m. in the Arena-Auditorium) when Wyoming hosts New Mexico in a very big Mountain West game.

She's an impressive basketball player, and she loves the game. Wants to play on after securing her undergraduate degree.

Her personality is special. Sit down with Clara and in five minutes you'll love her to death. She's pleasant, she's engaging, her accent is terrific and her thought process special.

But what makes Ms. Tapia the most special is what she does in the classroom.

She is majoring in molecular biology and chemistry, and balances that beautifully with her role as a Cowgirl leader. She maintains a 4.0 GPA! Heck, the Cowgirls as a team carry a 3.77 GPA.

Tapia is a two-time academic All-Mountain West honoree, and a two-time league scholar athlete.

So as a review: she comes to this country from Spain; is challenged by the language barrier; adjusts to the ways of America; plays basketball at a high level; and is an A student in a very difficult discipline. That gives you a nice window to what she's all about.

"I learned a long time ago that it's okay to ask questions," says this delightful young lady. "I'm pretty sure I drive everyone crazy with all my questions, but that's how you learn and I love to know."

She will continue to know because not only does she want to continue playing basketball, she wants to continue her education. "I want to keep learning. What am I going to do with all that knowledge? Well, I'm not quite sure yet. But I do know I want to keep finding out. It is fascinating to me about all of the small reactions in your body, how molecules react, and create.

"Whether it's basketball or chemistry I really enjoy knowing why. When we run a play I like to know what everyone is supposed to do. I'm happy learning, and this university environment is perfect for me. I love basketball, I love the education. For me, one wouldn't be possible without the other."

Tapia found her way to Wyoming, like others on the roster from foreign lands, through assistant Bojan Jankovic. Her coach in Barcelona knew Bojan, and thus the connection was made.

"I actually knew Marta (fellow senior, Gomez, who is from Valles, Spain) because we had played against each other," says Clara. "Since I knew she was here, I gave her a call. She told me to bring a lot of coats and a lot of socks because it was going to be cold. That doesn't bother me because I actually much prefer the cold to the heat of Barcelona."

Tapia's biggest adjustment was two-fold, first the language and second the food. "There were times when I didn't know what people were saying. I had to have them repeat things for me. That took some time, and so did getting used to the food. Here there are so many dressings for your salad. We just put olive oil on our salad at home. Here, there's too many choices." What does she usually choose? "Ranch," she says.

If Head Coach Joe Legerski was coming over to her house for dinner, what would she make him? "Well, I'm not the greatest cook, and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't like something we eat in Spain," she laughs. "So I'd probably make him a steak." Good choice Clara, he's a Wyoming guy.

What is the one food that is popular here that she will probably never eat again, especially when she returns to Spain? "It's those hard strips of beef, I'm not sure what they call them." Beef jerky? "Yes, that's one food that people eat here that I just don't understand. You'll probably not see me eating that in Spain."

Her parents—Dad is a teacher, and Mom is a doctor--have been very supportive of her going to school so far away from home. "They were all for me exploring new things, meeting new people. It's healthy to get out of your comfort zone."

She had some adjustments to make in basketball too. "There were movements here that were different than what we did in Spain. I was called for traveling a lot at first. I wasn't stopping when I passed the ball, for example, and the refs kept calling me for traveling. That was an adjustment.

"Basketball here is more athletic, and more tactical. We lift more here, we are stronger. I think I've gotten a little more athletic, and I've gotten better at setting people up, the assist."

What's been her most difficult class? "Organic chemistry, without a doubt," she says. "It's very demanding."

What would she do if she didn't get an A? "I'm emotional, so I'd have my moment, but then I'd move on."

How about the Cowgirls? "I love this team. We have a lot of young players, and despite that, I think we are playing well. But we have to be much more consistent, especially away from the Double A. There's a lot of room for improvement. For me, and for the seniors, we have to find ways to make everyone's strengths emerge."

Quite a young woman, isn't she? If you haven't yet, you should come out and watch her and the Cowgirls play. You'd be entertained.