Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

It’s strange to think that my last basketball game is finally here, in all honesty though, I expected that to be four years ago. It wasn’t until two or three weeks after my last high school game when I realized that I couldn’t stop playing. I had no idea if I could or would ever be able to make the jump into college athletics, but I would rather try and fail than to never know the answer.

This decision lead me to Saint Mary’s, where the team became as close to a second family as I think I will ever find. It was a relief to know from day one that these girls on the team would do anything for me. And although the team has changed through my four years, each teammate has entered with a similar attitude and the same love for the game.

To begin I want to thank my parents, Randy and Theresa. Every athlete gives credit to their parents, but for me it goes way beyond that. They have driven me to, been spectators at, and cheered for me and my team at more athletic events than I can even count. I know some of the events may not have always been the most intriguing, but it always brought reassurance to see you there cheering. I will never actually be able to express to you what its fully meant. I loved that I could consistently come to you with dissatisfactions about games, and you could still always find a positive.

I want to thank my brother, Brad. I give him credit for my competitiveness and my toughness. He absolutely used to dominate me in any game we played, but it made me that much more determined and motivated to improve.

I would also like to thank my extended family for their support through high school and college. It meant a lot to see you up in the bleachers. Hopefully, I will be able to teach my cousins a thing or two, and be up in the stands to support them.

The most important influence I have had on my basketball career have been my previous coaches Kale Kowahl and John Zilla. Kale was the first one to try and teach me fundamentals and it has been a learning process ever since. A big part of my love for the game came from the many Saturday’s we spent traveling to tournaments as a team. It’s then I learned that basketball is more than just about the game. It’s about the friends and experiences along the way. John emphasized everything that Kale began to instill in me and has been more than just a coach ever since. He told me after my last game that if I didn’t continue playing I would regret never trying. He convinced me I had the ability to make it in college, and gave me the motivation and confidence to pursue basketball. Once again I can say that he was right, I would have regretted never playing. Thank you for the encouragement through the years along with the continuous support once I went to college. I would just like to tell them after over ten years of people telling/yelling at me to use my left hand, I finally learned

I want to thank my previous roommates Jen Koezly and Cierra Lopis. Although neither one could give me any basketball advice, they had to spend countless times listening to me speak about it, vent about it, or share exciting stories from previous games. I feel they may not have always completely understood, but they were always there to listen. I hope I taught you girls something about the game.

Also a quick thank you to our trainer, Mary, you have had to deal with my slightly stubborn attitude throughout the year and I appreciate everything you do for this team.

Fellow seniors:?It’s been an exciting and eventful four years we have spent together. We came in with many others, but I’m happy to say that we were the ones that survived it together. I have enjoyed our many hours in the gym together, our runs up what we thought was “Champion Hill,” the progression of the drill “Perfection” over the years, the early mornings when we happily woke up to run together, all the games, struggles, triumphs, and well the list goes on but to sum it up, I’m going to miss all of it with you girls.

Juniors: It’s your turn to take over the team. Keep turning this program around. Kristen, I have learned from your constant competitiveness to never take a day off. Britney, I have learned the importance of balance from you, I will also try to teach you to fall gracefully before I leave. Emily, you have shot countless three’s over my head in practice I expect this to continue. Amber, I was always worried when you were coming to set a screen on me because I knew I was going to get hit by it hard. Jenny, roomie, my favorite memory on the basketball court of you is still when you were doing ballet moves during one of coach’s talks; I was inspired by your focus.

Sophomores: the last two years together have been a learning experience. We have grown together more as a team these two years than any other team I have been on. Renee and Jess Thone, it was always such a joy seeing you in the mornings at practices. Jamie, I’m glad I was able to teach you how to drive a tractor; I was only a little worried riding along. Courtney Athnos, I will miss your ridiculous amount of energy and will still be a little confused about your fear of squirrels.

Freshmen: Even though we have only been able to spend the last five months together, I have learned from you as well. For instance, Courtney Euerle I learned is great at remembering directions, if she can figure out her right and left. Kaitlyn Keefe, our many trips to summer league together were entertaining, and on the bright side we only got a little lost. Katie Eckberg, I have enjoyed the few times I had to play post defense on you, I didn’t feel short at all. Abbie, it’s been an experience being your partner for drills this year, go beat Concordia for me next year. Jena, I look forward to watching you in the future, it was tough watching you go through preseason and not be able to play.

Coach Freudenberg, I want to thank you for all the advice these last two years. I appreciate the fact that you would be completely honest with me and not “sugarcoat” anything. I also enjoyed that you would decipher Coach’s talks or game-plan when I didn’t understand what she was talking about.

Coach Pearson, I am proud to be part of your first class that you have had the privilege to coach from freshman year through senior year. I know I said I learned a lot from my previous coaches, but my learning has intensified in college. I have grown not only as a player under your instruction but also as a leader. I appreciate that you put your trust in me through all four years. Thank You.

To all the other friends, faculty, staff, and anyone who has ever supported Cardinal basketball, thank you