Surprising track star headed to FPU

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune

Liberty’s Gianna Menchu signs her National Letter of Intent to Fresno Pacific University under the watchful eye of her parents. 

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What started as something to do during her sophomore year at Liberty High School, Gianna Menchu turned that into a track and field scholarship to Fresno Pacific University. 

Menchu, who signed her National Letter of Intent in March, was one of five Liberty athletes to sign an NLI to a four-year university this year, and one of two female track athletes. 

“It all goes back to Tony (Head Coach Tony Tynan) and what he does for us,” Menchu said. “I am so blessed I have been able to coached under him. He focuses on more than just your athletic performance. He focuses on your well-being as a person. When I’m running, I’m running for him because he cares for me as a person and not just my number.”