Greenberg working toward her dreams

greenberg featureCorona del Mar Middle School student, an aspiring goalkeeper, will represent the U.S. at a youth event in Holland. For the past year, Taryn Greenberg begged her parents to let her give up her $10-a-month allowance.

She chose to give up one of her free nights for an extra practice session. Instead of hanging out with her television remote control or friends, she chose soccer.

She’s that athlete who’s the first one to start warming up before practices, and the one who’s ready for more while everyone else drags their feet off the field after practices.

As a 12-year-old, she’s already done the AYSO Saturday morning games and club tournaments. Greenberg’s ready for the international scene.

In July, Greenberg will pack her jersey and shin guards and head to Holland, where she will represent the United States in People to People, a “mini Olympics” for children ages 11-18.

During the first five days of their 10-day stay, athletes from 32 different countries will form teams in basketball, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, tennis swimming and baseball. They’ll train with certified coaches and teachers.

The last four days, Greenberg and her U.S. teammates will compete for the gold. In between the competition, athletes will also experience Holland’s canals and flower markets.

“I’m so excited,” said Lauren Rule, an eighth grader at Our Lady Queen of Angels, who will join Greenburg this summer. “I think it’s going to be fun because we’re going to be representing our country.”

Greenberg, who will try out for the Corona del Mar Middle School soccer team in February, started playing goalie three years ago.

“I like the [goalie] position because they’re the only ones who get to use their hands. And because diving feels like flying,” Greenberg said.

She wasn’t always blessed with the sharpness needed for the position. But with her dedication, she’s now a coach’s dream.

“She’s come a long way,” said Marine Cano, Greenberg’s goalkeeping coach. “She’s eager and that’s why it’s a joy to train her. We have a saying -- the harder the training, the easier the game. Taryn welcomes the hard work.”

Besides practicing with her team, Greenberg trains an extra day each week with Cano, the former women’s soccer coach at UC Irvine who specializes in goalkeeping. Greenberg joins boys and girls ranging from 10- to 18-years old to work on diving and footwork drills with Cano.

All this she does with a specific goal in mind. First stop UCLA, and then maybe someday, the Olympics.

Perhaps it stems from Cano, who was an assistant coach at UCLA in the 1980s. Or maybe it’s because both of her parents attended the Westwood campus. Maybe it’s the Bruin flags, pillows, blankets, shirts and sweatshirts that adorn the home where Greenberg grew up.

Either way, Greenberg’s path is set. Reign as a Sea King at Corona del Mar High, fight on as a Bruin. And someday, be an ambassador for the United States as an Olympic athlete.

Big dreams for a 5-foot-2 goalie who was once described by her father as having two left feet.

“She’s worked hard and she’s really gotten stronger,” said Philip Greenberg, her father.