"I started realizing my grades are going to help me a lot more in the long run. Especially when I want to get into college and start with my future plans," said Dhaliwal. "It all started, it just clicked for me."
For Dhaliwal, that meant getting serious about both athletics and academics.
Chris Fernando, Fowler Wrestling Co-Head Coach said, "I can't say for him it's rare but finding the heart and the drive to do it all, it's really rare."
"Yeah you don't get a student like Gurlabe every day," said Kyle Kirchman, Gurlabe's AP Statistics Teacher. "He's definitely one of a kind and he's great to have around."
And the results are nothing short of remarkable.
On the football field, Dhaliwal was a team captain of the Redcats second straight Valley championship team, and has the rings to prove it.
"When you have a team as great as we had these past two or three years, it really shows where they can help you excel in your life," said Dhaliwal. "You have other people that can help you."
On the wrestling mat, he's also a team captain. Ranks among the state's top heavyweights, and is coming off a tournament championship in Firebaugh last weekend.
"The junior high kids also use our room and they look up to him. They want to be like him: good grades, great athlete, good person," said Nick Alvarado, Fowler Wrestling Co-Head Coach. "He makes it way easier for me."
But it's off the field where Dhaliwal has perhaps the most impressive results: a 3.9 cumulative GPA, voted senior class treasurer, and a great chance at admission into any four year university, to which he has applied.
"He's one of those kids that just is self-motivated," said Kirchman. "He's got a good drive to him that just kind of does everything on his own. He doesn't ask a lot of questions. He just knows what he wants to do and does it."
Dhaliwal would like to continue his football career in college, while pinning down a degree in engineering.
"It's going to be an eye-opener once I get into college, as it is for all freshmen that transfer," said Dhaliwal. "I'm going to try to hit the ground running, and try to keep my heads towards academics."
And with a reputation for setting big goals, and achieving them, no one is betting against big number 72.
