Student Athlete of the Week – Grace Thomsen
PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) – Xavier Prep's girls basketball small forward Grace Thomsen is this week's student athlete of the week.
She's on our Mount Rushmore," head coach Thaddis Bosley said. "She's on that list of some of the greatest players we've ever had.”
In her four year on varsity at Xavier Prep, Bosley says Thomsen has made a large impact on the team and the school.
“Gracie is just the epitome of, who we represent as a program," Bosley said. "She's a four year starter. She's she's a coach's dream. Her leadership is impeccable. She's the mama bear. Everyone knows where they're supposed to go because of her.”
“This team I couldn't have asked for a better team to have my senior season with,” Thomsen said.
For Thomsen, it's been a memorable senior year alongside her teammates as Xavier Prep has played well in the Desert Empire League. But she said it's been even more special as she plays alongside her sister Emma.
“It's been such a blessing," Thomsen said. "I've gotten to play with my sister, who's a junior. It's totally helped me, and she's always someone I can rely on, on the court and off of it, to always have my back.”
Thomsen is a dual sport athlete for Xavier Prep, also playing Volleyball in the fall, and she excels on the court in both.
She's currently leading her team statistics in basketball and was selected to participate in the Coachella Valley All-Star Classic for Volleyball in November 2025.
There's long days for sure, with homework and stuff, back to back practices, but it's really been so many amazing experiences that have come from it," Thomsen said.
Her success doesn't end there.
“She's a rock star," Bosley said. "She's a 4.5 GPA, kid. She's, seven for seven on her college acceptances. She's going to go to an amazing school of her choice.”
“It means a lot to succeed and do well in school," Thomsen said. "So, I just try to push really hard to get the best grades as possible and to learn as much as I can.”
Thomsen hasn't decided where she's headed after graduation, and isn't sure she'll play volleyball or basketball at a varsity level, but she has ideas for what's next.
"I've always been really interested in math, so a lot of my majors are based on math, data science or business analytics," Thomsen said. "I think one job that could be really cool is like maybe for a professional, like sports team being like a statistician or something like that."
The student-athlete of the week segment airs every Tuesday on KESQ News Channel 3.
If you know a senior who is a strong student, standout athlete and an exceptional person, submit a nomination to share@kesq.com.
