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ORANGE COUNTY GIRLS OUTSTANDING COMPETITOR 2025-26
This award recognizes an Orange County athlete who was a standout in multiple sports, a team leader and someone who also excelled in areas outside of sports.
Name: GG Szczuka
School: JSerra
Year: Junior
Sports: Flag football, soccer
Notable highlights: If someone wanted to watch the highest level of competition in girls flag football and girls soccer, there was arguably no better place in 2025-26 than the Trinity League. The league produced the CIF-SS Division 1 finalists in girls flag football, the CIF-SS Open Division finalists in girls soccer and the inaugural CIF State Division I champion on the girls pitch. All of those teams were highly ranked in the nation.
The competition in girls flag football and girls soccer unlocked something special in JSerra’s GG Szczuka.
GG Szczuka (9), right, of JSerra celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a long pass in a girls flag football game against Orange Lutheran at JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday, October 9, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
JSerra running back GG Szczuka, right, gains yardage before being stopped by Orange Lutheran’s Brynlee Wessel in the CIF-SS Division 1 flag football championship in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra wide receiver Ava Irwin, right, celebrates with running back GG Szczuka after Irwin made a touchdown catch against Orange Lutheran in the CIF-SS Division 1 flag football championship in Orange on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)
JSerra flag football players Kai Beary, left, and GG Szczuka help lead the undefeated and top-ranked Lions into the Division 1 playoffs. Beary is committed to Texas for soccer while Szczuka is committed to SMU for soccer. Their hand signals reflect their colleges. (Photo by Dan Albano, Orange County Register/SCNG)
She played a major role in the Lions’ undefeated season in girls flag football and helped lead the girls soccer team to the Open Division playoffs.
For excelling in both sports, and earning a 4.14 grade-point in her final semester, Szczuka is The Register’s Orange County Girls Outstanding Competitor.
“GG competes with a fierce intensity that sets her apart,” Mater Dei girls soccer coach Matty West said of the junior, who is committed to SMU for soccer. “What stands out the most, however, is her genuine passion. Her love for both soccer and flag football shines through in everything she does.”
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“Excelling in one sport is difficult enough,” the coach added, “but to perform at such an elite level in both this (school year) is impressive. … Her academics make her a triple threat.”
In girls flag football, Szczuka earned first-team All-County honors after helping the Lions (28-0) capture the CIF-SS Division 1 title.
As a running back and wide receiver, the Trinity League MVP had 137 receptions for 1,797 yards and 20 touchdowns. She also collected a team-high eight sacks as a pash rusher.
In soccer, she was selected first-team All-County at forward. She was also the Trinity League’s offensive player of the year. She scored 11 goals and added two assists as the Lions finished second in league.
Szczuka had a 3.45 overall GPA.
“Playing both flag football and soccer while keeping my grades up definitely took a lot of work but I loved every minute of it,” she said. “Balancing practices, games, travel and school taught me how to stay organized, stay disciplined with school work and sports, and make the most of my time.”
“I’m incredibly grateful,” she added, “for my coaches, teammates, teachers and family for always pushing me to be my best.”
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