Tauro's dominance in her sport and her national success makes her The Press Female Athlete of the Year.

On what her life would be like if she hadn't taken up running: It's weird. I wouldn't have all these accomplishments. I wouldn't be in the papers. My name wouldn't be as big. I'd still be enjoying my time at high school, and I'm sure I'd still be acting. But I wouldn't be going to the University of Michigan. I'd be paying a lot more for college.

On what her track and field career has meant to her family: They love it. They know what it means to run a mile in a certain time now. They're on Dyestat (dyestat.com, a Web site that follows high school track and field). My whole family has paid more attention to physical fitness, doing healthy things. I notice it in the community too. When I look and see people running or riding bikes, I'm like ‘Yeah.' I don't know if I had anything to do with it. But I'm glad people are fitting it into their schedule.

On what it feels like to win a race: It's such a sense of achievement. I feel that bounce of adrenaline and excitement.

On attending Michigan: I can't wait. I'm so excited. I'm excited for something new. It's going to be weird not walking the halls of Southern Regional, but I can't wait to get tested a little differently. It's cool to have new challenges. They say college is the best four years of your life. It's going to be awesome and so much fun.

On being recognized in public and being a mini-celebrity: It feels weird, but I've gotten use to it as each year progresses. It's exciting. I like to talk to different people. It's awesome that people are supporters of running and the team. When people come up to me, I want to find out who they are. I'm interested in them as well.

What's the best place to run — Holmdel Park, the site of the state cross country championships; Madison Square Garden, the site of the Millrose Games; or Franklin Field, the home of the Penn Relays? That's tough. Holmdel is in its own category because it's cross country. It's kind of like in a league of its own. So, Madison Square Garden or Franklin Field. Well, the track at Franklin Field is nicer. But there's the prestige of Madison Square Garden. It's hard to pick one over the other.

On her first practice ever in high school: I was in over my head. I said ‘I'm not going to last.' I couldn't even finish a mile. I was so out of shape. There was nowhere else but up to go from there. I'm glad I stuck with it.

On her personality: I'm really friendly. I try to stay positive and optimistic. I try to be friendly and helpful.

On what she does to relax: I like renting movies at home and having movie night rather than going to the movies. You can get into watching a movie, but you're still relaxing. We have a nice comfortable couch. You save on gas money, and it doesn't cost $5 for M&Ms.

— Told to Michael McGarry

Lower Cape May Regional's Matt Szczur

It didn't matter what the season was; Matt Szczur excelled.

The Lower Cape May Regional High School senior was a standout in football, indoor track and field and baseball.

Szczur played mostly quarterback and safety in football and rushed for 1,096 yards. He led the Caper Tigers to seven wins and their first playoff appearance since 1980.

In the winter, he finished eighth in the 55-meter dash at the state Group II championships.

Szczur saved his best for the spring. He batted .681 and was one of New Jersey's top baseball players. The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him in the 38th round. But Szczur plans to attend Villanova University, where he will play both football and baseball.

His versatility and his achievements make him The Press Male Athlete of the Year.

On choosing Villanova over the Dodgers: It wasn't very tough. My heart was set on Villanova. It would have taken a lot for me to go to the pros.

On Villanova allowing him to play both football and baseball: That was a big factor. I wanted to play both, and they were the only school that would let me do it. I want to see if I can advance to the next level in both sports.

What's his favorite sport? Football or baseball? It varies. It goes by the season. Whatever season I'm in, I like that sport better.

Szczur attended several Major League tryout camps this spring. What was his most memorable experience? I went to Shea Stadium to try out for the Mets. I hit a home run into the second level. It was awesome. I was the only high school kid to hit one. It's not a short field. I think it's 335 (feet) to left field. We got to hang out in the clubhouse. That was pretty cool, too.

On how he got started in sports: My parents wanted me to try everything. I actually started in karate and T-ball came. I wanted to do that, and I stayed with it. Looks like it was pretty good choice.

What's better — scoring a touchdown or hitting a home run? I'm not sure about that one. They're both awesome. I can't tell. Maybe scoring a touchdown because more people see it.

On his relationship with his older brother Marc, a 2005 Lower graduate. Matt and Marc led the Caper Tigers to the South Jersey Group III final that season. Marc, a standout pitcher, was the 2005 Press baseball Player of the Year: When I was younger I looked up to him. I wanted to do what he was doing. I give him a lot of credit. We always competed in everything. It's where I got my competitive nature.

On what he does to relax: I like to go to the beach. I like to go fishing. I go fishing with coach Bailey (former Lower football coach Lance Bailey). He's like a brother to me. The biggest fish I ever caught was a 60-pound drum. My arms were killing me. It was a pretty big fish. It took 15 minutes to bring it in.

On his personality: I think I'm humble. I don't like to brag. A lot of athletes do like to brag, and that's fine for them. But I see that, and I don't like it that much. I know a lot of other people don't like it either.

On his summer job: I'm actually working two jobs. I'm cutting grass with one of my teachers, and I'm working at a bike shop (Shields' Bike Rentals in Cape May) with my grandpa. I could take it easy, but it's boring. I'd rather work and get some money.

— Told to Michael McGarry