Growing up in a military family, Sara Halasz has lived in Alabama, Kansas, Texas, Washington, D.C., Korea, Hawaii, Australia, and now in Washington state. So it probably won't be a major stretch for her when she takes her considerable basketball talent to New Mexico, where she will play basketball for the University of New Mexico.

Sara, born May 1, 1990, in Gadsden, Alabama, started playing basketball at age 8. She has played AAU basketball since she was 12, and at age 14 she was selected for the 16-and-under Australian national team. Her father's transfer to Fort Lewis brought Sara to Pierce County, and Lakes High School was the beneficiary of her outstanding talent. She earned four letters p laying for the Lancers, and she capped her tremendous prep career with numerous honors as a senior. She received Associated Press First Team All-State, 3A All-State Tournament, First Team All-Area (Seattle and Tacoma) and McDonald All-America nomination after averaging 20.5 points, 9 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. Sara was the two-time Western Cascade League Most Valuable Player, earned second team all-area honors as a junior, and was the 3A state tournament MVP in 2007.

When not playing for her school, Sara flashed her skills for Seattle's Baden Elite travel team. In the past five years, 36 players representing Baden Elite have received NCAA Division I and Division II scholarships. Her AAU coach says of Sara, "Her hard work ethic and positive attitude set her apart from her peers."

Sara's talents didn't end on the basketball court as she earned letters in track & field and in fastpitch at Lakes High School.

Sara's parents are Scott and Denise Halasz. Her father retired after 31 years in the military and her mother is a registered nurse practitioner. Her older brother, Scott, also plays college basketball and has been her inspiration.

Besides basketball Sara loves fishing, snowboarding, water sports, and martial arts.